Note: this was planned to be included in the next Nacre post, but was decided to be separated and to be placed in its own dedicated post.
New Eiffel goes to the polls right now. This election, which was delayed due to multiple reasons; the Coalition party failing to submit their party lists, Leon Montan wanting to move them to the 31st (though he later changed his mind), as well as others.
The election is to elect the new transitional council for New Eiffel. Many have predicted the results of the election, all with a Labour lead. Christina Nowell’s prediction is the most correct, as she predicted that an election was going to happen. That is surely correct.
I interviewed some of the parties, those being Labour, Liberal Egalitarian and Right Hand. Enjoy!
Leon Montan, Labour Party Leader
Leon Montan is the incumbent First Minister and leader of the Labour Party. He resides in Ponderosa Hills, where he is the current President along with Jayden Lycon. He is also well known in the micronational community for his face.
The Labour Party currently has the biggest party lists.
As you may know, Luke Warren defected your party. How would you respond with that?
I find the defection of Chair Warren to be bothering, due to him leaving what I feel to be the best party in New Eiffel (although there is bias, I run it), to create what seems like a clone of the Liberal Democrats in Britain or the Democratic Party in America. However, I feel that a merger of our parties after the election would be beneficial to both sides.
One of your campaign promises is to “solve the nation’s political turmoil”. How do you plan to do that?
By “political turmoil,” I am referring to the results of the motion of no confidence on Christina Nowell and related events, which caused a large political divide and the Transitional Government. My plan for solving this and returning to a normal form of government is holding summits between the conflict’s major parties, and exercising the powers of the Transitional Council for Electoral Reform to create a lasting electoral system for the nation.
Another one of your campaign promises is to “develop New Eiffel’s democracy”. Can you elaborate on this promise and how do you plan to do that?
A Labour government would develop New Eiffel’s democracy by possibly expanding the Transitional Legislature, and holding referendums for the largest issues in New Eiffel.
A couple members of Parliament are asking for New Eiffel to leave the Grand Unified Micronational. As this is on Nacre, we will stay neutral on this decision, but, how do you feel about it. Do you agree or disagree this? Why?
I am personally a staunch opponent of the Grand Unified Micronational due to multiple reasons, but I would not pull New Eiffel out of the GUM without a referendum and a meeting with the Prince, New Eiffel’s main delegate to the organization.
Speaking of micronational organizations, New Eiffel is in a lot of them. (e.g. MOF, CA, Asia-Pacific, UAMA, etc.) Should New Eiffel retain or withdraw from what organizations? Why?
The continued membership of these organizations are some of the “largest issues” that I had mentioned to have referendums on; a Labour government would most likely hold a referendum on the continued membership of all of the micronational organizations that New Eiffel partakes in.
What was your biggest regret of your first First Minister term? Biggest success? Why?
That is a hard question- I honestly do not know, I’ve been in power for less than a month. However, my biggest success would probably be keeping New Eiffel from descending into another crisis, but that is still a bit of a guess, I really do not know.
You have been running on a lot of other elections. People may worry that you will become less active due to this. How would you ensure that you would be active?
Although I am a part of a lot of micronations, I feel as though I delegate most of my activity to Ponderosa Hills and New Eiffel, and the majority of my free time is spent on micronations, so I probably will not run out of time and become inactive in New Eiffel.
Would a Labour government be interested in dissolving the traditional legislature and going back to the status quo (pre Nowell-Montan affair)?
Yes, once this situation is solved.
I am currently doing an interview right now and leader Warren called you “vindictive and ineffective” as a leader. How do you respond with that?
I find that extremely hypocritical of him. He calls me vindictive, but he has created many “low-blow” or “cheapshot” motions in the Transitional Legislature that do little more than call Christina Nowell out. I also think that I am an effective leader- I have reformed the Discord server immensely, I created the Transitional Government, I have created multiple ministries, et cetera.
What electoral systems are you planning to propose to the Transitional Council for Electoral Reform?
I think that I would propose the system that we currently have, party-list proportional representation.
What measures, if any, do you plan to New Eiffel to prevent it from descending from another political crisis?
I think another crisis could be prevented by having an organized system and a less bitter rivalry of the Labour Party and The Coalition. The last crisis partially happened due to disputes with the last election’s results.
Isaac Richards, in party list for Labour
Isaac Richards is the chief advocate and writer of the Maslow Initiative Act and is currently third in the Labour’s party list.
Why did you decide to run under the Labour caucus?
Leon Montan reached to me first, even though I could’ve run in the Independent Block as I’m more focused on promoting New Eiffel than merely supporting an ideology. Labour has also guaranteed me running in the Culture Ministry and support the Maslow Initiative and related legislation.
You are an advocate for an Culture Ministry. Nowell and Corvin are opposed to it, stating that “doesn’t seem exactly necessary right about now.” Do you agree or disagree? Why? What do you think would happen if the Culture Ministry isn’t formed?
As of time of speaking, Nowell does not seem to be opposed to the cultural growth of New Eiffel, what she said about it not seeming “exactly necessary right about now.” might no longer be the case as she said in a question for politicians that “you will think you’re witnessing the birth of a new Golden Age for New Eiffelic culture” hinting that she wants to see a revitalization of a New Eiffelic culture – which is exactly what a Culture Ministry will do! I believe a Culture Ministry will help make New Eiffel the unique culture it needs, the lack of one may make it take longer to create a culture. After all, Wales – France and South Korea all have Ministries of sorts for Culture & Language; South Korea’s Ministry promotes K-Pop, France’s Ministry makes new French Terminology for an English-majority Technology Industry and Wales regulates Welsh Television and promotes it. I don’t think we need a Ministry per se but it’ll massively help.
What do you like about leader Montan? What do you think he could improve upon?
Leon Montan is very active, unlike our previous jOOST Smith, and is willing to do what New Eiffel wants. He is a bit left-hanging though (seeing he also runs a Communist country), I’m happy he decided to put New Eiffel first and just stick with Social Democracy (I also heard he stook with it because he wants to keep New Eiffel’s Monarch Tradition) – I have put in a Legislature that cancels out the extreme reforms of New Eiffel anyway so the chance of him making New Eiffel communist is unlikely. Generally and personally, when you get to know him he’s very knowledgable and helpful.
A couple members of Parliament are asking for New Eiffel to leave the Grand Unified Micronational. As this is on Nacre, we will stay neutral on this decision, but, how do you feel about it. Do you agree or disagree this? Why?
I don’t have much knowledge about GUM but New Eiffel should put some work into promoting itself in the micronational world and should aid nations it cooperates with to do as good, if not greater, than New Eiffel! If GUM helps us with those goals, then let’s stay in GUM.
Speaking of micronational organizations, New Eiffel is in a lot of them. (e.g. MOF, CA, Asia-Pacific, UAMA, etc.) Should New Eiffel retain or withdraw from what organizations? Why?
New Eiffel should do what’s better for New Eiffel but also other members of the Micronational World – if we’re in too many organisations then it’s better to leave, especially if they’re inactive or are not beneficial.
Luke Warren, Liberal Egalitarian Party Leader
Luke Warren is the current Chair of the Transitional Legislature, as well as defected from the Labour Party. Luke Warren held similar roles in his time in the North American Commonwealth, before Nottingham joined New Eiffel.
Why did you defect from the Labour Party. Do you have any final words to Leon Montan?
Because Leon Montan is not a good leader, and I have no final words
Why do you support direct democracy? Will the Prince still be a political figure if you enter government?
Because it is a better and more democratic way of allowing the people to have their needs met. His political influence will be reduced little, and I will try to have his opinion heard along with the people’s.
You have largly avocated for New Eiffel to leave the Grand Unified Micronational. Why?
The GUM has not been active, been involved with scandals, developed a seperate elitist identity, etc
Speaking of micronational organizations, New Eiffel is in a lot of them. (e.g. MOF, CA, Asia-Pacific, UAMA, etc.) Should New Eiffel retain or withdraw from what organizations? Why?
New Eiffel should retain all diplomatic memberships, because it increases foreign relations and multiculturalism
Culture has been a major issue in this election; what would you do if your party formed government?
If my party formed government, we would developed an egalitarian small business and socially progressive culture
Can you elaborate on what makes Leon Montan a “not good” leader?
He is very vindictive and ineffective
By the statement of “His political influence will be reduced little”, would he still be a Prince but with less power?
The Prince would maintain all power
With events in the GUM such as the 24 hour quorum and future GUM macro-events, should New Eiffel stay in the Grand Unified Micronational to participate or organize in these events? Furthermore, your next answer with “increases foreign relations and multiculturalism” could be applied to the GUM.
The GUM has not been fostering diplomacy, they have been attempting to gain hegemony over the community and are not interested to do anything with other alliances because they consider them not serious enough for the GUM. So no. Multiculturalism and Foreign Relations are not being fostered at the GUM.
The reasons of “[sic] has not been active, been involved with scandals, developed a separate elitist identity, etc” would be applied to other micronational organizations that New Eiffel is in, correct?
It does not apply to the other organizations. The GUM is large and hegemonic and did not handle the Danos Scandal well
Why do you support in egalitarian ideas?
They are better for the people and positively effect small businesses and the everyday citizen instead of corporations
Though I have my opinions on the GUM, I do find it strange that you impose a double standard on the Grand Unified Micronational compared to other micronational organizations. Do you agree with my statement or do you want to object?
No response.
Prince Manuel M., Right Hand Party Leader
Prince Manuel M. is the current leader of New Eiffel’s Right Hand party, as well as being the Prince of the Principality of Ledilia.
One of your campaign promises is to “Enhance and help grow the state” and “Continue the development of the country”. How do you plan on doing that?
I promised this movement because I think I can help this state, Using internal games such as making a new NE Union can help smaller state to grow and they will surely get in contact with us, this may be seen as a political trick but it is not, we both exchange our experiences and if they join us they would learn more, we have a 3 years experience and we are well known in this community, more members would enhance our popularity and boost it. With “Continue the development of the country” I mean establishing more work, giving more room to aspirants and starting to build a solid economy.
What rewards do you plan to give to hard workers?
Hard workers are defined as such because they used theirself and all their bodyparts to work and gain a prize, this type of people are a pearl for our state and as such, we shall reward them, I’m planning on giving them maybe a better job or offer them a MP spot, if our economy is strong it is because of them. Prize are yet to be re-discussed with the Party’s council.
A couple members of Parliament are asking for New Eiffel to leave the Grand Unified Micronational. As this is on Nacre, we will stay neutral on this decision, but, how do you feel about it. Do you agree or disagree this? Why?
I honestly disagree to such action, New Eiffel is a spotlight for new nations on the community and for the New Effelian presence in the GUM is guinding new members to it, I think that leaving such organization that is known from nearly everyone in the community will just avoid getting new foreign relations and limit our external contact.
Speaking of micronational organizations, New Eiffel is in a lot of them. (e.g. MOF, CA, Asia-Pacific, UAMA, etc.) Should New Eiffel retain or withdraw from what organizations? Why?
As I stated in my vote, I am complete againist leaving some organizations such as MOF, UAMW or other organizations that can help us into foreign affairs and kep external contact. However, I’m complete againist staying in the NA Organizations, New Eiffel is a sovereign micronation located in England and yes, I support colonies but I don’t think we should stay in an organization that is part of another continent.
Culture has been a major issue in this election; what would you do if your party formed government?
I am not someone that wants to dictate anything, Culture is something that our population makes, it’s something that we only have and that we create, if my party would win, I would develop our country and I want that New Eiffel gains its national spectre and integrity, not dictating other’s culture.
What measures, if any, do you plan to New Eiffel to prevent it from descending from another political crisis?
If this government is ever going to fail, I’m not yet planning on a safety/emergency plan, because it’s not in my plans, if I see that the government may break, I would probably create a coalition with the other most voted party at the General Elections.
You have a micronation called Ledilia; what ideas do you plan to bring to New Eiffel that was from your experiences from Ledilia?
Yes, that is right, I have a micronation called Ledilia and we’re both in relations (Ledilia and New Eiffel), It may sound stupid but I learnt a lot from New Eiffel, my micronation’s wiki layout was first inspired by NE and I’m still happy of what NE brought to me, but something that I learnt is that the juice is better if you do it, I want to bring new and updated stuff and leave out Ledilia from this possible government. Something I’m sure that I want to add is the possibility to gain citizenship in NE as an honourary one and not obviously as a resident, I think that this state has a lot to offer and people would be interested in gaining citizenship here.
This would be an interesting election. Could this election make way to a Labour majority? A coalition between multiple parties? We’ll see. Anyways, if you want to vote, click here.
[FOOTNOTE: 1:15AM EDT: After a debate between Luke Warren and Leon Montan, Luke Warren has apologized for imposing a double standard to the Grand Unified Micronational]
[EDIT, 5:45 AM EDT: Right Hand interview added.]