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Due to the length of the interviews, I have decided to break it into two separate articles. This article will cover Garmr while the other will cover Mr. Sphere. Click here for Mr. Sphere!

In a few days, the country presidential debates will be here and the citizens of eNetherlands will have to make their choice on two great but different candidates. This month, there are two candidates running for the post of CP. The first candidate is Garmr of I&W. He served as president before and would like to have another term. The other candidate is Mr. Sphere of the Dutch Patriot Party. While Mr. Sphere never served as CP before, he has great experience in politics. He was the PP of the Geuzen Partij Nederland and now the PP of the DPP.

The purpose of this interview is to offer the reader a greater means to understand the candidates. Manifestos are great but most of them really do not tell us anything new or important about the candidates. While I am not saying manifestos are meaningless, but they most of them states the same thing. No candidate will say they are anti-democracy etc. Therefore, this interview will asked detailed questions to each of the candidates. There will be general questions which both candidates will get the same questions. Then each candidate will get 3 candidate specific questions. Base on the answers they gave in this interview, I am really impressed by the thought and seriousness of these two candidates. Both of them while with differences do offer great understanding in the top and important issues in eNL. Both candidates offered great technical and detailed responses which offers much greater insight to their world views and philosophies.

Note that I am the current PP of I&W. While I try to be as neutral as possible, it should be noted that I am the PP of I&W. This disclosure should avoid any conflict of interest



General Questions {Garmr)

-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.

I am a 22 year old student. On the side I work as head of financial administration at one of the companies of my father, as well as soldier in the Korps Nationale Reserve, the part-time branch of our real-life military. My hobbies are weightlifting, boxing, playing the piano, skiing and working on my car.

-Why do you want to be CP?

I feel I can greatly contribute to our country, as I have experience on virtually every possible cabinet post I will be able to set up working long-term programs together with my ministers based on the needs of the people. My experience will also aid in keeping check on the various ministries, and motivating my ministers to be active in their duties without the unnecessary work that may come from trying out multiple paths to a goal, as we eliminate those from the start. The government will become a well-oiled machine for the benefit of our nation. In addition to that, I have very many international contacts that will allow me to be in touch with global politics to define strong striking moments against the Polish occupation, as well as easier access to foreign reinforcements for our liberation.

-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?

My real-life political orientation is progressive and liberal. I am a member of the VVD party, but also identify with D66 and Groen Links. However, I came to the conclusion that it is not possible to have a political orientation in eRepublik, as there most often is one clear way to the solution of a problem. In that way, one can say I am an ethical realist when it comes to eRep politics. I try to find a way to maximize the benefit of all citizens while taking the fastest and cheapest possible route.

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

The main difference would be that on a domestic level, the President should always strive to serve the native population as much as possible, and nobody should be excluded in his care. On a global level, a President should not have to pleasure all the people he meets. He should be stern and hold his foot down for the benefit of the nation. To sum it up, he should be like a coconut. Soft on the inside, but hard to the outside.

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

My strengths are my activity of 8+ hours a day, my international contacts, my experience and most importantly, my excellent understanding of global politics. My weakness would be that I sometimes am not patient enough to explain things in detail to people who do not understand my reasons for certain decisions. This will be solved by the ministry of Home Affairs, for whom I have several plans concerning the improved delivery of information to the population.

-What is the one issue that you think is the most urgent that eNL should tackle in the coming month? Why?

Keeping the Southern Netherlands region in Dutch hands, as it is a key part to retaining the population, and allows us to have congress elections.

-What would you do to liberate the rest of eNL?

Wait patiently while our population saves up energy bars, bazooka's, rockets and bombs. And when the right time is there, strike with full force in a highly organized manner, where as little as possible damage and money will be wasted.

-Please describe your policies and relations with eBelgium?

I see no reasons to engage in diplomacy with Belgium. They offer us nothing, so there is no reason to talk. However, if they put us in a disadvantageous position again, accidentally or on purpose, I will spare nothing to destroy them to the ground.

-How much time on average per day will you commit to eRep if you are elected?

Approximately 8-12 hours per day.

-What are you going to do about the lack of active players in the eNetherlands? What will the candidates do about the lack of good tutorials, communication and effort to contribute by helping new players?

There will be a real-life promotion of eRepublik on the 9th of June in Utrecht by a group of players, in which I partake. Aside from that, I will communicate with ChristiaanB about the sticker project. I will also review the newcomer message, and have several experienced players write very-specific short guides rather than deal with the ineffectiveness of having a ministry to deal with it by writing long and inevitably incomplete guides over a long period of time as we have seen in the past.

Candidate Specific Questions (Garmr)

-On your second term of CP, you got drunk and declared war on eBE. Our congress voted no on that war, which prevented a war with eBE. Why should the eNL citizens your leadership?

You have to see this move in it's historical context, which was that I designed plans for an attack on Belgium for multiple months, starting under the presidency of Myers11. It was already extensively debated in congress. Had the vote gone through, we would have been well-prepared. Other than that, it was mainly a joke. The resulting impeachment vote did not reach the necessary majority, and I have since then already fulfilled two more presidential terms, proving that I am fully to be trusted on this position.

-Referring to your article, “Now, I am perfectly aware that you may perceive it as self-entitlement of the political elite and that it will not make a difference for your well-being if I don't provide excellent care for my citizens. I understand this, and applaud your political sharpness. However, in stating my past experience I like to share the continued trust that has been put in my services for our country, and my excellent knowledge of every single aspect of the game. Quite recently, I held a well-received master-class on advanced military together with Joep Onstenk which was organized by our April cabinet.” how would this affects the eLives of the normal citizens in terms of points that Mr. Sphere views like respect, fun, and equality, as vital for our community?

The views of Mr. Sphere are very good but also very common in eRepublik. It is something everyone would strive for. Obviously, that includes me. I believe that my past career will have nothing but a positive influence on my term as President.

-Since even you admit that you have an elitist reputation, how would you address this issue? Do you support normative ideals like transparency of the government? How often and in what detail do you plan to release about the workings of government if you are elected as CP?

It is easy to label me as the elite because I take the responsibility time and again to care for our country on a minister post, especially by people who want to stand out in the political landscape, looking to gain a larger following. I have always had and always will have the needs of our country on the first place. In an effective attempt to deal with those people, myself and others took on the 'elite' label as 'geuzennaam' or name of honor. I have refreshed ideas on the distribution of knowledge in the country, and I guarantee that I will raise the bar for following presidents by a whole lot.

Fun Questions (Garmr)

-German, Belgian, or Dutch beer?

All of them. I drink Hertog Jan at home, Trappisten when I hang out in Limburg and gibt mir bitte ein bit when I'm in my house in Germany.

-What is your favorite football club?

I'm not really a big fan of football, but if I had to choose it would definitely be ADO Den Haag.

-Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Trek. Lizard poisons Spock.

-Porsche or Ferrari?

Porsche.

-Why are gay guys the best?

They don't compete for the girls when you're in a club.

-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?

Vote Garmr for Glory!
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Many thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed as well as to better know the candidates. Remember to vote on the 5th and have fun.