Antoni 2020 - Antoni Reynels for Foreign Affairs

[Inquista]

[Inquista]

Campaign Launch
Europolis
April 19, 2020

Good evening, Europolis! I am absolutely delighted to be with you all here tonight. As I look out at all of you in audience right now, my heart feels full. I am so happy to be here, surrounded by my fellow proud Europeans. I can feel your energy, your hope, your optimism. Together, we can achieve anything that we set our minds to. We can achieve a bold, ambitious agenda for a better European Union.

Recent months have tested and shaken our Union. Civil wars, coups, public uprisings and even hostage crises have challenged the region. Responses to these events have differed wildly between European Union member states, and chaos has ensued as states have responded by embargoing and by condemning one another. Measures and resolutions passed by the European Council have flagrantly been ignored. Our European institutions are weak and our region is divided.

This political turbulence throughout Europe hasn't undone our Union. However, it has magnified a problem that has hung over our Union for many years. We are at a crossroads. Is the European Union going to continue to function as a loosely-knit, weak organization with little authority and relevance, or will we move to build a Union that actually means something, one which has authority, which genuinely promotes democracy, guarantees liberty and equality, and truly unites us all?

The European Progressive Alliance has always favoured the latter. It's time that we, together, build a Union where membership is consequential, where the rule of law is respected and where unity is truly paramount. Together, we can forge a brand new Europe. That's why I am asking you to lend your support to the EPA. Support Eilidh Whiteford for Premier. Support Jean Claude Juncker for Internal Affairs. Lend your support to my campaign for Foreign Affairs.

We cannot have a brand new Europe without a robust, functioning Foreign Affairs. My campaign is built around three primary pillars:

Firstly, I strongly believe that we need to embrace the diversity of our Union. The motto of the European Union is 'United in Diversity'. Our Union's diversity is what makes us strong. I firmly believe that we need to expand the European Union and allow even more European states to ascend to our organization. I hope to achieve this by continuing and by expanding upon our region's outreach efforts. We need the world to know that the European Union is home to every European state, regardless of any linguistic, ethnic, religious or other factor that makes each European country different and unique. The European Union should be an open, inclusive home to all Europeans.

Secondly, the European Union needs to begin taking a global approach in its politics. By engaging in diplomatic efforts in other parts of the globe, we can build allies, better our security, and champion democracy and human rights abroad. This will allow the European Union to build a global profile and goodwill abroad, which would likely further boost European Union membership, enrich our region's culture and make the European Union more powerful.

Thirdly, we cannot function as a Union without maintaining the security and sovereignty of our territories. I will continue the efforts which Commissioner Drake has undertaken in establishing a Eurocorps. Commissioner Drake has been outstanding in overseeing the protection of our Union, and in my first day of office, I will nominate him to be recognized with the European Order of Merit. I hope to also appoint Commissioner Drake as the commander of the Eurocorps during my tenure. I aim to have Inquista send voluntarily forces to join Eurocorps operations, and hope to encourage other member states to send forces to join our Eurocorps as well.

This is an ambitious agenda, but it is one that we can be achieved. It's time that the European Commission becomes bold and it's time that our Union begins tackling our greatest challenges head-on. It's time for a brand new Europe.

Thank you to everyone who came out this evening. I hope to see you all again very soon. Take care everyone!

[Inquista]

Campaign Rally
Strondheim, Vayinaod
April 25, 2020

Hello Strondheim! What's good? I'm so glad to be here in Vayinaod [which he pronounces Vay-in-ood].

Tomorrow is a big day for you all. You have some tough decisions to make. I know that for many for you, there is a lot on the line in this upcoming election. You're worried about your bills. You're worried about your rent and the cost of living. You're worried about the quality of your healthcare and members of your family who are sick. You're worried about the economy, as well as the environment, and whether if future generations will be able to live in a world that is deeply affected by climate change. Many of you, I'm sure, are also worried about the current state of Europe. I hear these worries and I feel them too.

The great thing is that in a democracy like Vayinaod, the power lies in you: the people. Voting is a sacred privilege. Not everyone gets a chance to vote. It's in part thanks to civil rights trailblazers, suffragettes and activists - of which, Vayinaod's history has many - that the power has been invested in the people. You may feel small or that your problems are not being heard or addressed. However, when you act collectively and in solidarity with one another, you can affect big change. Those who fought to secure the right for every Vard to vote can tell you that. That's why every vote matters. When you vote, it isn't just a vote for yourself. It's a vote for your neighbour, for your country, for Europe and a vote for all future Vardic generations. That's why you all need to go out and vote. Check up on all your friends and family and make sure that they go out to the polls. You all collectively have the power to take destiny into your own hands.

Even though we are living in challenging times, Vayinaod's future looks bright. Vayinaod has some great, visionary leaders. I'm proud to be joined here tonight by the brilliant and illustrious Councillor Carita Falk [Antoni gestures to Councillor Falk, who is standing on the side of the stage; the crowd cheers]. Councillor Falk came into Europolis and immediately shook things up. She came hitting the ground running, she’s proposed some fantastic legislation and has been working tirelessly to make your voices heard in Europolis. Equally impressive is the great Kristian Nylund, who has also already made a deep impact on Europe. The High Representative managed to bring peace to a very volatile and complicated situation in Reitzmag. Time and time again, Vayinaodic voices have bettered Europe, and I want to thank them, as well as all of you, for being a special and integral part of our Union.

That’s why I’m eager to invite your voices to my campaign for a brand new Europe. Countries all over Europe, like Vayinaod, have so much to offer and to provide. While Vayinaod offers Europe the teachings of diplomacy or the bounty of natural resources, others states provide their own expertise and riches. Europe’s cultures are rich, the people are diverse and we all share a common vision for a peaceful and prosperous community of nations. As Foreign Affairs Commissioner, I hope to expand the European Union. I will work to have more states ascend to our region, and I hope to see the uniqueness and diversity of our nations strengthen our Union.

I promise to begin advancing the European Union, and Vayinaod interests, further abroad. The European Union has great allies in other parts of the world, and it is time that we strengthen those bonds. Just like we are stronger together as a Union, we are stronger with our allies abroad.

Security shall also be priority under my tenure of Foreign Affairs. I support the development of a Eurocorps to protect the borders and sovereignty of all European states from hostile nations outside of the European Union.

I hope to achieve these things in tandem with my talented and hard-working colleagues from the European Progressive Alliance. My dear friend Jean Claude Juncker – bless him, he’s visited almost every European state now – has an amazing vision for Internal Affairs. Eilidh Whiteford is truly a titan among men, and I hope that you support her for Premier Commissioner. The EPA has emphasized that it’s time for a stronger Union. We can’t stand by as we slowly see Europe descend into disarray, chaos and infighting. We need to build bridges and build a common community. Each nation in the EU has so much to offer, it’s time that we begin using each other’s strengths towards overcoming our common challenges.

I would be honoured if the people of Vayinaod joined in the effort to build a brand new Europe. Councillor Falk and High Representative Nylund has certainly demonstrated that when Vards are part of the process, then results are achieved. When we work together, we can tackle climate change. When we work together, we can bring an end to conflicts. When we work together, we bring stability to our economies. When we work together, we can achieve anything. It’s time that we make Europolis work for the collective benefit of all European people, instead of allowing it to continue to function as a playground for realpolitik and subterfuge. I am proud to be Inquistan. I’m also unapologetically proud to be European, proud to be part of the same cloth as Vayinaod, and proud to be part of our great Union of nations.

Thank you all so much for coming out tonight. This has been great. Thanks for all the love! Please be sure to text ‘Antoni’ to 42069 to keep up with my campaign for a brand new Europe. Sending you all the best wishes for tomorrow. Take care! [Circles by Post Malone plays as Antoni exits the stage]

[Inquista]

Campaign Rally
Dairghazburo, Duxburian Union
May 1st, 2020

Good morning, Dairghazburo!

I'm honoured to bring my campaign to the home state of our outgoing Commissioner for Foreign Affairs. Commissioner Vincent Drake has taken tremendous strides in protecting the European Union. Under Commissioner Drake's leadership, the European Union has become much more secure than ever before. I'm proud to announce that I have received Commissioner Drake's endorsement. While this is an honour, it is also a great duty, as I understand that I have very large shoes to fill. I hope to work very closely with Commissioner Drake in the coming months, and I will seek to appoint him as the Commander of the Eurocorps.

I have come to the Duxburian Union not only to ask for your support in the upcoming Commission election, but I have also come to ask for your support in building and contributing to the Eurocorps. Ultimately, our Union is stronger and more secure when we stand together as one. We are weak when we are divided. Together with Commissioner Drake and his leadership and expertise, we can build a force to secure European sovereignty. However, we can't do it alone. We will need forces. Brave soldiers from all across our region will need to stand together from shoulder-to-shoulder as European brothers and sisters. Are you ready to answer that call? [The crowd cheers as Antoni smiles and nods.] The Duxburian Union has always had the Union's back, so it's time that that Union has yours.

Thank you all for coming out today. Before we wrap up, I have a special guest for you, Dairghazburo. Please give a warm welcome to former Premier Commissioner, Anja Emerett! [The crowd lightly applauds as Anja Emerett takes to the stage.]

Thank you for the warm welcome, Dairghazburo!

The Duxburian Union will always have a special place in my heart. In early 2016, I was elected Premier Commissioner. During my Commission campaign, I launched what I called a listening tour, where I visited each member state and listened to the concerns of their citizens, and formulated a series of reforms on the basis of the needs of these citizens. It was important that I worked to build an inclusive Europe that worked for the benefit of all Europeans, based on the wants and needs of the people themselves, rather than speaking at Europeans or dictating at them what ought to be done. My trip to the Duxburian Union proved to be a turning point, not only for my campaign, but also my approach to European politics.

I was especially struck by the youth of the Duxburian Union, who are in my opinion the soul of Duxburian society and the arbiters of the country’s future. The youth of the Duxburian Union are well-informed and pragmatic, and they understand the value of civic engagement. They taught me that through engagement and collective action, that they could take control of their own destinies and shape their own futures. This changed my outlook in Europolis. I noticed that there was a direct link between the active engagement of certain countries and their net outcomes from the European Union. The more engaged a country is with the rest of the Union, the better the country’s positioning is within Europe as a whole. This is in part why I encouraged your Councillor, the great Wesley Greene, to become more participatory in Council proceedings. Councillor Greene became the Duxburian councillor at the time when I became Premier, and we had a good working relationship. The Councillor’s fresh ideas and perspective played a crucial role in the reforms that we passed during my tenure, which included Commission reform and several other Constitutional amendments. The Duxburian Union re-emerged as central player in the proceedings of Europolis and an active player in shaping the region’s purpose.

However, in recent years since, the Duxburian Union’s engagement has weakened. I can feel the disconnect between the Duxburian Union and Europolis growing. Duxburians have, for a long time, been skeptical of Europolis. Many countries in the EU believe in social constructs which are incompatible with Duxburian culture, and I understand there is a weariness to accept these foreign social constructs which may be placed upon you. For these reasons, certain populists and demagogues will have you believe that it’s you versus them. It’s the Duxburian Union versus a monolithic beast in Europolis, which is a beast that populists claim is actively working against your country and its people. However, this simply isn’t true, and the youth of the Duxburian Union know this. Many of the Duxburian Union’s first time voters this year will have grown up almost their entire lives only knowing the European Union. They understand perfectly well how Europolis works. Europolis is fragmented and is compromised by sole representatives of each state, there is no monolithic beast and there is no grand conspiracy against any one single member state. Every state has an equal voice and every state has a seat at the table. Every state possess the ability to shape the European Union to their liking. The European Union operates exactly how we all collectively decide to steer it. Just like how you have the power to steer your own national politics, you possess the ability to steer Europolis.

Our Union is now at a crossroads. Coups, conflicts and instability are rocking our Union. We’re now deciding how we can move forward together. It’s more imperative than ever that the Duxburian Union plays a role in shaping the future of the European Union. The DU has made great contributions to Europe, especially in the European Council, as well as in regional security, where it has not only defended our region, but it has also sometimes played the part of a benevolent guardian angel, where it has intervened in dangerous conflicts and has enforced peace. The member states of the European Union have come to greatly respect the Duxburian Union. Many of the EU’s member states are proud to call themselves allies of the Duxburian Union. There is no room for animosity between the Duxburian Union and Europolis. In fact, Europe is weaker without the Duxburian Union and vice versa. We have been weaker without your country’s voice in the Council and we have been weaker as we have watched instability rock the region while the Duxburian Union sits idly by as it focuses inward. We need the Duxburian Union. Likewise, the DU’s inward orientation has come at some of its own costs. The economy of the DU has struggled in recent years, allowing Inquista to overtake it. An 'us versus them' mentality is dangerous, especially when there is an open chair at the table which is waiting to be filled by your country’s presence. The Duxburian Union is just as European as any other state. The EU hasn’t given up on the DU, so we hope you haven’t given up on us.

It’s time for the youth of the Duxburian Union to take back control of their country from the old guard which has emerged in recent years. The period of stagnation needs to end. Now is the time for change. Europe is at a crossroads and it is waiting for new Duxburian leadership to step up. I have come here humbly with the same message you all once imprinted upon me. It’s important to be involved and engaged. I plead that that young adults of the Duxburian Union rise to the occasion and take back control from the old guard. It is time to become more engaged than ever before. It’s time to engage in politics at every level. In terms of European politics, it is imperative that the young members of the Duxburian Union vote. There is no better and easier way of having your voice heard than by voting. Vote. Vote. Vote. Tells your friends to vote. Tell your family members to vote. You have the power to guide and shape Europolis. There is no us versus them scenario. It’s a question if you’re ready to step up or give up.

The EU’s motto is ‘Unity in Diversity’. There is no better Premier candidate who stands for this than Eilidh Whiteford. Whiteford is a keen listener, an open-minded thinker and a willing compromiser. She recognizes that every EU member state is unique, and that every EU member state has strengths that it brings to the table. There is room in her coalition for every Duxburian. She wants the Duxburian Union to not only have an amicable relationship with the rest of Europe, but she wants the DU to have a seat at the table in deciding how Europolis should operate. Populism and infighting will get us nowhere. Populism and division are tactics of the old guard, who are more keen to cling onto power than to work for anyone’s benefit. Europe stands at the ready, waiting at the DU’s fingertips. As Antoni said, are you ready to answer that call? I sure hope so. Vote and make it happen.

Thank you so much. I hope to see you all again very soon.