Speaker Debate, 2019

[Inquista]

EUROPEAN COUNCIL SPEAKER ELECTION 2019
SPEAKER DEBATE

Welcome to the Speaker of the European Council candidates' debate for the elections of 2019.

Councillor Edward Firoux of Inquista, the incumbent Speaker of the European Council, is the only Speaker candidate.

As there is only one single Speaker candidate, the debate shall be formatted as an open question time forum, where ANY European Councillor can come forth with a question for the Speaker candidate. Councillors may pose their questions to the candidate below.

The debate shall last until 05:30 GMT, August 31st, 2019. Voting will then be held for both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, which will last until 05:30 GMT, September 7th, 2019.

The debate will begin with a few short words from the candidate.

[Inquista]

"Hello, fellow Councillors. I'm Councillor Firoux.

"I'm running again to be the Speaker of our European Council. The Council has made tremendous progress in recent days, passing legislation concerning aviation standardization, medical reproductive rights and establishing a formidable code of conduct expected of European Councillors. This renewed vigour and activity in the European Council is thanks to the active participation of all of you. I hope that my track record demonstrates that I have been committed to keeping debates fair and energetic, and that Council procedures have been smooth under my watch. I would like to think I have been an active force in renewing the Council's activities. While things are picking up again in the Council, I would like to assure you that we're only just getting started. Let's continue to get back to work together.

"I look forward to answering any and all of your questions concerning my candidacy."

[Derecta]

"Speaker Firoux, we are all aware of the current political turmoil that shakes Inquista's democratic system and how, now that parties have been abolished and turned into 'theological blocs', you are no longer considered the leader of the former Christian League, since you are not a member of the College of Bishops. This being said, will you, if given the chance, run for a seat in this College? Thank you." asks Councillor de Berlanga y Prieto (Derecta).

[Inquista]

"Good evening Councillor de Berlanga y Prieto.

"You bring up a valid concern that I'm sure is on many people's minds. I do not intend on leaving my current post as the Councillor of Inquista. The Speaker's term is 18 months long and I intend to serve all 18 months of the position."

[Vayinaod]

"Thank you for your long and outstanding tenure in this chamber Speak Firoux, I wish to ask if you as speaker have any plans to introduce any changes to the legislative process? The most recent two acts passed by the council involved long debating and amendment periods, do you feel that the timetable laid out in the constitution specifically needs updating?

Do you have any plans to introduce any programs to encourage newer members to this council to write their own legislation, or even to participate at all?"

Cllr. Carita Falk of the Archrepublic of Vayinaod

[Inquista]

"Hi, Councillor Falk. Thank you for your question.

"Oh my goodness. I think I might have the record for the most debate extensions given, don't I? I have no qualms extending Council debates in order to allow for more fruitful and inclusive discussions. Extra-long debate periods are becoming a bit of trend though, as you suggest. As Speaker, I honestly don't mind the hassle involved with extending the debates, and since I'd like to think I'm pretty involved in most Council discussions anyway, I find that I am able to extend most debates without much delay or without interruption. With that said, I'd be open to lengthening the initial debate period to 92 hours, if the Council finds it necessary. I'm interested in updating the current version of our Constitution, and if we do so, then I'd certainly include that as part of it.

"I've always been personally inclined to help newer Councillors write legislation. I think a lot of Councillors can personally attest to times I have read over their work, co-sponsored something with them, or given them pointers on writing legislation. I am interested in pursuing the idea of creating a general legislation format that everyone could use for writing, which would streamline how legislation is generally formatted. As part of this, a general legislation writing guide could be included.

"To answer the last part of your question: I'm easily the most frequent harasser of my fellow Councillors, bugging them all to respond to Council bills. If there was a way to actually get newer Councillors involved, I'd love to hear the idea, though I think I'm already balancing the fine line of being polite and inviting Councillors to participate and also being exceedingly irritating."

[Vayinaod]

"Thank you for your responses Speaker Firoux. I would like to add a question from a schoolchild in Vayinaod."

"How do you personally define leadership, and what it means to be a leader? How do you and how would you apply those principles in your role as Speaker?"

[Inquista]

"This is a really important question, so thank you for relaying this question to me.

"I define leadership as a willingness to listen to others, to respect and to work with those who may disagree with you, and to have the ability to build bridges to those who feel isolated and feel that their voices and abilities are underutilized. To me, leadership is ultimately about bringing out the best in everyone and empowering everyone to work together towards a common goal. Leadership is about empowering one another to take action. That's how we get things done.

"Truthfully, I do not see the Speaker's position as a leadership role in of itself. I am keenly aware that it's not the Speaker's duties to lead anyone. With that said, I feel that I am a natural born leader, as demonstrated by my ability to lead the largest and most active Eurogroup, and I naturally bring my leadership qualities with me to my job as Speaker.

"As Speaker, I have often prefaced debates with the simple notion that not everything in a bill will be agreeable to everyone. However, there is always common ground, and we should always strive to meet in that common ground, and we should always listen to and respect one another. When I am mocked as the Arch-Compromiser-In-Chief, I just point to the number of bills that get passed. Working together is simply just how things get done.

"In debates, I let all Councillors voice their opinions. If a Councillor has 15 amendments to submit, I won't roll my eyes. I will address and include all their amendments with enthusiasm. In my entire career as Councillor, I have never shied away from or discouraged intense debates, but I have always come down hard when the personal attacks come out. When someone has their character attacked, whether it be a former Commissioner, a Councillor, or anyone else, it has often been me who has taken up the charge to defend them. I will always defend and encourage people to be who they are and to bring what they can to the table.

"Thank you."