Join the new world

Another country presidential draws nigh and I always like to do an interview with the CP candidates. While this month, this interview was a bit of a last min thing since Nohjis decided to run last min, I am really pleased that both candidates was able to find the time and to answer these questions with great detail and care.

For me, manifestos are important, they are framed into a format that does not deal too much with the policy details. While manifestos offers us what are their overall positions, it is always framed in a very general and at times not that useful format. All candidates will say things like they support democracy or accountability etc, that is why I do these interviews since my time in eGermany and eNL.

The point of these questions is to allow myself as well as the electorate the means to better know the candidates. The questions I ask ranges from general questions, fun questions at the end, and very detailed policy questions. The purpose of these questions are to test the candidates and and to offer detail and comprehensive replies and more importantly, his or her rational and possible solutions.

Both candidates received the exact questions and the questions I hope are as objective as it can be. For the sake of length, I split the interviews as separate articles. This article is Lily’s interview.

Click here to read Nohjis’s interview.

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-Please introduce yourself. How old are you in RL? What do you do (student, job, etc)? What are your hobbies etc? Please introduce yourself so that the people will get to know you better.

Hello! I’m Lily, I am 18 years old and I’m a student studying for my A2 levels, in which I study Government and Politics, History and Economics. I love writing poems, stories, reading! I also love playing political games in terms of Victoria 2 and Europa Universalis 3. History and Economics is also a passion of mine which is why I’m studying it at college.

-Why do you want to be CP?

Because, I love Belgium and also importantly this term requires Foreign Affairs experience from the CP. What better than the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the last 3 terms? I have many reforms in how to make Belgium better (Which is in my manifestos) that I know I will be the best person to deliver them.

-What are your past experiences (office/titles held) that qualify you for the office of Country President?

In the last 3 terms, I have been the MoFA in Belgium, in my view that’s the best experience you can have, up to date, recent Foreign Affairs experience that is pivotal right now when we’ve recently just joined CoT. I even have Foreign Affairs experience when I was in the UK, when I was vMoFA x2. I was also the vCP this term too. I have also been a PP x5, in which requires leadership in driving a party forward. I also have been a congress member x5.

I know I have leadership experience and most importantly Foreign Affairs experience which I know will be needed this term.

-How would you describe your political orientation (ie, conservative, liberal, socialist, communist, anarchist, etc) and how would your views/orientation influence your policies and management style if you are elected as CP?

I’m a Labour Party member in real life. But I believe in capitalism that is controlled to benefit everyone. Socialism is impossible, but I believe in the principle of equality. For someone who is heavily involved in the LGBT Community in real life, equality needs to be delivered.

I would also say the issue of equality different will influence me. I believe that everyone in Belgium deserves a chance. Irrelevant of experience, irrelevant of views, irrelevant of party. As long as you want Belgium to prosper you deserve a chance to help.

-Please explain/describe your philosophy on both domestic and global governance.

Well, I believe in the system of Cabinet Government. In the CP the head of the government and the ministers part of the decision making. The CP makes the final decision (If he/she wishes to) but gives a lot of control and decision making to the ministers.

In terms of “global governance” I do not think it would be wise or possible. In terms of governance you always need a sense of democracy and I think that would be severly lacking in terms of having a global governance as such. Where one country doesn’t want you, but another does.

-What do you think are your personal strengths and weaknesses? How will you overcome your own personal shortcomings?

My strengths are my determination, passion, stubborn and ambition for Belgium. I never give up on anything. I would give my all to improve Belgium in any way I can. I listen to people’s advice, I’m the type of girl who wants everyone involved and I’m easy to get on with! My weakness could be I guess, I’m too ambitious at times in that I want us to get to the best of the best. and I’m very stubborn at times. But I’m not at the stubborn level of ignorant. I also hate losing at anything.

I’m also a perfectionist at times which can be hard irritating when you lose!

-What does eBelgium mean to you personally?

Belgium means a lot to me personally. I love this country. Ever since I came the community was utterly amazing and I want to truly pay them back in any way I can.

I want to use my experience being in the UK to benefit Belgium in any way I can.

- What is the one issue that is most urgent that eBE needs to tackle?

There’s a few (I’m cheating, sorry!)

Immigration will always be a big issue to Belgium. Another is Foreign Affairs, in which we recently just joining CoT with the French possible wanting Wallonia for Iron.

An issue to me, personally, has been Education. I think that there has been a lack of articles for a while, especially with the forums a bit of a mess and not organised on the forums.

-Many former LCCers moved to HOPE. Some, like LEFT666, went back to Greece, while others just recently came. Do you view these illegal immigrants as a threat to eBE’s national security?

Of course. If they want to damage Belgium they will always be a national security issue. But if they want to change and follow our immigration laws then it won’t an issue. But I doubt that.

- Recently, the congress stopped all funding of the eBE Paramilitary Team. Why is this needed and what are our budget challenges we will experience in the coming month? How will you address these finance issues?

Well, we have 2.7M and 1000 gold in the national resources, so we’re not in a terrible situation! However, we need to use that in emergency situations, so we need to maintain that we have a small deficit or a surplus that will actually be a benefit long-term.

In terms of the finance issues, I’m hopefully we can cut taxes to boost Q6/Q7 production which will therefore increase taxes.

I want to also be more inefficient in how we give out our citizen packs that we give away food, money and gold that will actually be useful in the future and to the citizen in question.

-Shifting to foreign policy, why is joining the Circle of Trust (COT) alliance better than being neutral?

Because, simply put our situation has changed. Before we were trial members of CoT, finding MPPs was very difficult, due to being blacklisted by EDEN. Therefore we have a lack of daily battles in which our army can fight in. That’s a reason to join CoT in itself, because we have daily battles to have our allies in. Another reason is, that if another country invades us we will have no one to help. If are in CoT, we are much better protected as before.

All in all, our situation has changed and therefore we have change our Foreign policy in being in an alliance which is fundamentally will benefit us.

One thing I did disagree with the CP on is having a referendum in which he promised to have one.

Besides our future COT allies, which countries are the most important friends to eBE?

USA, UK and Poland.

-Which is a more important ally, eUK or eNL? Why?

Right now, the eUK. Because, they are closer to Poland and against France. If you look at our neighbours right now, Poland don’t wish to invade us and therefore it will be our benefit to stick being allies with them and Poland and against France.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends with the eNL, I want us to have a relationship that will benefit us.

We can be allies to both of them, but dealing with France and Poland is a big issue.

-People like the current CP of eNL, van Spjick, as well as people here in eBE, like Jofroi, the old ATO gang, and MaryamQ, see a benefit in having a union like UNL/UBE. What are the benefits as well as the negatives of such an union? Do you think it is possible? What are your personal opinions of such a union and will you try to work towards it?

Well, right now Poland currently occupies the Netherlands. So right now it’s simply not going to happen. The disadvantages are simply, I want us to be closer to CoT and Poland/UK, not EDEN. If we are going to be in a Union, then we need to be the same alliance in my view. You can’t do one when you’re on the opposite alliances.

I don’t want to see a Union at the moment. I want Belgium to be independent.

Maybe if I’m elected, my future successors will disagree.

-Some fun questions - Why are German beers the best?

*Grrrrrrrrrr* I would argue English Beers are the best 😉

-Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars, definitely! Star Trek always confuses me, so many series/episodes!

-Why are gay guys the best?

Because, they are so lovely! 😉 Especially this person I know who’s called Konrad 😉

-One word to describe yourself.

Perfectionist

-Many thanks for your time and I wish you luck. Is there anything you want to say or address to the reader about yourself or your campaign?

I would just like to say good luck to Nohjis. We both want the best for Belgium and I know both our hearts are in the right place.

And also, if anyone has any more questions for me, you can easily send me a PM and I’ll answer as soon as I can!
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Many thanks to the candidates for your prompt reply and best of luck to each and one of you. To the readers, thank you for your interest and I encourage you to contact each candidate and to vote on election day.