Speaker Election Debate, January 2022

[Inimicus]

Thank you to all candidates for presenting their opening statements to the Council. With your permission, Councillors, I think we should move forward with the question phase. As of right now, feel free to ask any question you will to our candidates, but please ask them one at a time to avoid confusion to ourselves and those watching.

I shall start the ball rolling by asking all candidates: some of you mentioned issues of Councillors' activity in debates or even absences of debates for some pieces of legislation. I agree that this is an issue -- but what, if anything, can be done to improve this situation?

Cllr Nicholas Benfield
Empire of Inimicus

[Kingdom of Reitzmag]

I'd like to thank the Honourable Councilor for the Empire of Inimicus for the question.

Apart from regular reminders to each member on the business happening within the Council, I think it is also correct judgement from the Speakership on the extension and allotment of debate and voting times. During times of very low activity, I think it is best that a debate extension be automatically granted so as to allow further examination of the business in question. There would also be regular reminders and updates on the Council business to inform Councilors and Deputy Councilors, and remind them to participate in sessions of this esteemed chamber. In addition, we are also studying the introduction of Session Breaks to enable national representatives to spend time with their families during holidays and busy seasons while only allowing Emergency legislations and discussions to proceed during these breaks. I believe that such Session Breaks would prevent bills from being hanged due to inactivity at such seasons. However, this is just an idea and further study on this possible initiative will be conducted regardless of the outcome of this election. That is all I can say for now, thank you once again.

Yuridiana Yahontov
Councilor, Kingdom of Reitzmag

[BrumBrum]

James Mizrachi-Roscoe :I think the main thing is reminders and communication. I would seek to communicate with all councillours on a frequent basis and make sure to get votes and debate input.

I understand its a difficult job and sometimes absenses are needed , I myself regretably have been absent for quite a few months through no fault of my own, notably when I was incapacitated in hospital and when I had to attend my sons appointments after the terror attack and the disgusting attack on him hence sending Skye Hook in , I thank the chamber for there patience. Theres also just the need for mind space. That is why I reccomend either changing procedures echoing the right honourable councillours of Reitzmag's idea of session periods over key holidays preferably incorporating all major religious key holidays to avoid discrimination and also I would encourage use of deputies allowing elected deputies to have all powers of a councillour but the key thing would be encouraging all nations and councillours to use deputies, this would mean nations having uninterrupted representation even if the main councillor has a break. I also think there is a discussion to be had around co-councillorship potentially having two main councillours elected on a ticket as an option for nations allowing both to cover subjects of expertise or cover for each other in debates where one cannot attend as well as making transition easier if one goes onto higher office but that would require changing of legislation but we are currently in a season of that so why not take advantage to question our current operating model and see if we can achieve a better work life balance and coverage for the nation.

[Spain]

Thank you for your question, Councillor Benfield.

I think we all agree when we say that some Councillors might have felt discouraged to intervene on Council debates or even show up here due to the absence of the Speaker of the House, who believe it or now, has a lot of influence over the attendance of Councillors. That is one of the reasons why we need an active Speaker, someone who cares about what is being done and that can offer us the guarantee that, whatever happens, he will continue taking care of the chamber and its functionment, and I can guarantee I will be taking care of the European Council every day, like I have been doing since the absence of former Speaker Michel.

Councillor Yahontov proposed to give automatic debate extensions in times of very low activity, but I should remind my colleague that I have done that during my Deputy Speakership, and a example of that is the Amendment to the European Loan Provision Act, in which I gave not one, but 2 debate extensions, one of them formally announced, and none of them worked. Another example of non-announced but extended debates is the Amendment to the European Central Bank Act, an extension that went on for 2 months approximately. Therefore I believe that automatic extensions can work if we are in certain special dates, but we have seen how it has not worked during the last 4 months of 2021.

In my opinion, I believe the European Council needs to become more involved with promoting activity and we should encourage Councillors to intervene and pay attention to the several bills and discussions we have, using reminders for example. Councillor Yahontov's proposal about Session Breaks is a good step forward, yet not enough to promote activity, as the term "key dates" may change from one country to another. We should look forward to a Sessions Calendar instead, agreed by all the Councillors and member-states of the European Union, in which we get a fully-detailed and massively agreed calendar that includes the most important festivities of the year to avoid collapse.

From my point of view, we also need to encourage members to get involved with the European Union and, more importantly, to make them feel part of the European Union. That is why I believe we should start a discussion along with the European Commission to establish a Rotating Presidency of the European Union or the European Council instead. This Presidency would be occupied by a member-state for 2 months, and grouped in duos to make them coincide with the terms of the European Commission. The proposal needs further work, but if I am elected, I would organise a discussion to make this proposal a pretty interesting and attractive one along with all Councillors and the European Commission.

Donald Tusk
Deputy Speaker, Candidate for Speaker and Councillor for Spain

[Istkalen]

While new mechanisms and bureaucracy have their place, I do not believe that they are the best solution to this issue. Simple attentiveness, with a bit of kindness, can easily, I feel, rectify both.

If we want others to speak, then we must first lead by example, and speak ourselves. This does two things - it makes the proposer feel acknowledged, feel welcomed, and thus more likely to participate in Council proceedings in the future - and also brings up topics and points of discussion for others to themselves address. Even if this is difficult, it is absolutely necessary that something be found to comment on - even positive things, saying how you might like certain ideas. Simply opening debate does not have this same effect; it is possible, for example, to open debate without reading legislation, so the proposer may be in doubt over whether anyone has actually seen or understood it, and is thus left wondering whether their participation is worthwhile; on the other hand, others who might see no reason to speak will not be given one if one does not oneself raise additional points which they might address.

I have to stress the importance of being kind when making this initial comment. Being too harsh might unnecessarily antagonize Councillors, particularly new Councillors who may not understand the EU completely well; if there is criticism, it should be made really from the European level - that is, looking at how legislation might impact other institutions, how it might simply reference things that don't exist, and so on - and be very gentle and kind, perhaps guiding legislation in a new direction.

Another way forward might be the creation of simple and concise legislative summaries by the Speaker, or perhaps, if it is really in demand, although perhaps unnecessary, another authority to ensure the absence of bias. Sometimes, Councillors have difficulty understanding legislation, or may not have time to read through very long legislation; to prepare such a summary lowers the barrier needed to comment on legislation, and thus makes discussion and debate far easier to begin and engage in. This also has the added and happy benefit of preventing such things as the Health Card Amendment fiasco, when misunderstanding of a proposal almost led to the passing of EU-funded universal healthcare.

Finally, merely being there is an important factor. If a Speaker is approachable - if any Councillor can go up to them and ask them to cowrite legislation, or sponsor legislation, and expect a response, that in itself will generate activity - the Council becomes much more approachable, much friendlier, and thus more likely to be engaged in.

I mentioned another possible step earlier; simply bringing ignored legislation to the forefront by making, for example, a list. Sometimes such legislation can be buried under others which are more controversial, for example, and thus simply pointing out their existence can, I imagine, be a big help to starting debate on them. As other Councillors mentioned, direct reminders are also equally helpful.

[Inquista]

Councillors,

As you all know, maintaining decorum and civility in the European Council is very important in order to allow for a proper debate and exchange of ideas. Unfortunately, the Council has not nearly been as civil as I would have expected, and unfortunately, it seems that the women members have felt the brunt of it. Days after becoming a Councillor, I myself came under attack from a colleague who lodged a heinous and inflammatory bill against me. So I have two questions: as Speaker, what will you do to maintain civility within the European Council, and secondly - and most importantly - was it just for Mr. Trympov to fire me in the fifth episode of the Apprentice even though I walked the second most dogs for my team, including the Shiba Inu?

Bp. Karinn Lallana
Councillor for Inquista

[Spain]

Thank you for your questions, Councillor Lallana, I am glad other Councillor than Mr. Benfield has decided to ask some questions in this very important debate for the future of the European Council and therefore, of the European Union.

I believe that equality and respect are very important values that need to be looked after on this room. We can all make mistakes, sure, but we must apologise and pay the consequences of our acts. In my opinion, to maintain civility withing the debates in the European Council, the Speaker needs to show a zero tolerance policy, or in other words, not letting a Councillor escape with impunity; towards hate speech, racism, xenophobia or any other kind of disrespectful atittudes, and make Councillors pay for their disgusting words towards whatever that is disrespectful. If I were elected as Speaker, I would be not only able to push forwrd this zero tolerance policy, but also being able to set a border between freedom of speech and respect. To make disrespectful Councillors "pay", we would apply the Code of Conduct of the European Council, which is always applied for this kind of situations as well as being a very useful tool for the Speaker of the House. In your case, Councillor Lallana, I would have read the Code of Conduct of the Council and then pushed forward a censure motion on Cllr. Trympov, if his words weren't within the boundaries of the mentioned internal laws.

Speaking of Mr. Trympov, I think it was not just to fire you from the Apprentice after getting the second most sales of dog-walks for Team Synergy, 15 if I do not remember badly, an absolute masterclass coming from you, if I am allowed to give you my honest opinion. I do believe that you were the one to sell the dog-walk of the Shiba Inu and that your firing had no real reasons, rather than envy coming from the other team. You did not deserve what you got a decade ago on the Apprentice, Councillor Lallana.

Thank you very much.

Donald Tusk
Deputy Speaker, Candidate for Speaker and Councillor for Spain

[BrumBrum]

I think the answer to this question is simple, first there should be a reminder , then two parties talking over any dispute with a view to resolving it and finally if needed disciplinary action including losing pay and being banned from the chamber for a time period. I believe civility is important but its also important to not go overboard , there will be witty comments and nicknames heck I've had them in Duchies politics , thats just part of politics but it should be zero tolerance on sexism, racism and homophobia for example or if a councillour was swore at. In this instance I'd ask for a retraction and apology right away and give a strike on the councillours record , if no apology is made then I would start a disciplinary process or if the offence is part of a pattern .

To the second question I must say Trympov was wrong, very very wrong , in fact he was wrong in the biggest way. He was bigly wrong indeed!

[Istkalen]

At the heart of recent uncivil behavior in the Council is the veritable whirlwind of partisanship that we all have been swept into. Controlling it thus means attempting to control partisanship as well, which is no small task. A step forward might be to establish an informal committee between the heads of eurogroups, at the center of this issue, to promote cooperation and civil relations.

Another issue - which you, Councillor Lallana, directly referred to - has been the libertarian environment surrounding Council discussion that has developed in recent months. Many of my colleagues appear to be under the impression that what is being referred to is blatant, that Councillors are going around and openly saying that female Councillors are inferior and so on and so forth. There are many who believe such things, but few of them actually voice these views in an open way, with the sole exception of Deputy Councillor Linek, a reprehensible man who verbally abuses me on a regular basis solely for being a woman.

What people who think these things resort to in order to express these opinions are things like nicknames, things like little sweet witticisms which are actually not so sweet. For example, you, Councillor Lallana were called ‘Plastic Surgery Woman' by Councillor Trympov; there is no way to prove that this is misogynistic, or anything other than a simple, "witty," nickname, as some might say, but it is misogynistic and insulting regardless.

Things like this are enabled by an environment that allows them; an environment that is open to name calling and insults and so-called witticisms - an environment that allows people to degrade and dehumanize others for small things and thus many people for large things. End the libertarianism in this regard and the bigoted will be quickly denied a soapbox. There is no need to threaten censures or other such drastic action even for very small infractions - simply warn and that should be enough to establish an environment where such words are clearly unwelcome and in which all are treated and seen as people.

If people persist in these things, or even are open in their bigotry towards other Councillors, I still do not think the focus should be on punishment - that fosters resentment. Disciplinary ction should be focused on reflection and education that allows these people to realize the error of their ways.

In regards to The Apprentice - your firing was unjust and motivated by Cllr Trympov’s personal biases, against you and against genuinely independent women in general.

However, there are several things I must say regarding this. The Apprentice is meant to desensitize people to the various injustices that occur in the modern workplace. It is an integral part of the present system, and from this view what did happen was indeed "just" - it upheld the current system, and presumably allowed Cllr. Trympov and others like him to continue to enrich themselves at the expense of those they commit injustice against, a group which you were the avatar of during your firing, Cllr. Lallana - and of course, under the present system morality is defined by what enriches some. It is only when we break free of the confines of this system that we truly understand the injustice committed against you and indirectly against many more; only when we interpret it by a better, more human, morality, and only when we find ourselves acting outside of it.

[Spain]

Thank you candidates for participating in this debate, and thank you providing your honest answers. The debate period has officially come to an end.

Donald Tusk
Deputy Speaker, Candidate for Speaker and Councillor for Spain