Walter Cocx for Premier | EU Commission Elections
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Nuntius Inimici Extensive Interview -- 22/08/2020
Colin Husky: "Thank you for joining us, viewers, for the first major interview with Inimician-born candidate for Premier Commissioner of the European Union, Dr Walter Cocx. Welcome, Dr Cocx. Unlike your opponent, Senator Kirstin from the Commonwealth of Leagio, and unlike virtually all candidates for the Internal Affairs post, you have not held mass rallies or appeared in the media. Why not?"
Dr Cocx: "Because my campaign has to be well thought out, Colin. I need to do my research, get my facts straight, calculate how much my policies will cost and how we will balance the books. That takes time. But I feel we are more than ready for an energetic campaign right now, we are ready to show Europe what compassionate leadership means. And compassionate leadership, just to start off on this, does not mean spreading false adverts and posters of your opponent in a vain attempt to discredit them."
H.: "Indeed - I was planning to discuss this topic somewhat later in the interview, but we might as well do so now. What did you think when you first saw this joke poster?"
C.: "I didn't think it was a joke, Colin, it was a misogynistic, sickening attempt at discrediting my campaign. The fact someone hiding behind anonymity on the internet creates this type of thing is bad enough as is, but then to have it shared by my opponent as part of their official campaign against me transcends all boundaries of civil political discourse. I have not heard a word of apology from Sen. Kirstin on any of this - I know her to be a capable and honest person, perhaps I overestimated her."
H.: "You don't think someone in your campaign team could've made this poster?"
C.: "Absolutely not. My record on women's rights is clear: for years I fought for the introduction of extended and, importantly, paid maternity leave in my province. I fought for the establishment of women's sanctuaries, for tougher sentences for sexual predators and rapists. I would never - ever - consider someone's estrogen levels an important factor in their political capacities."
H.: "Let's talk about your record as Duke, if we could. You served two consecutive terms, then took a year off, and then served for two more terms. Your Ducal reign thus spanned about five years, longer than most Inimician Dukes. Interestingly, your vote share only increased each time you were re-elected. What was your main strategy as Duke?"
C.: "I learned two main things during my time as a provincial administrator: first, money does not grow on trees. Second, compassion for the least well-off must be an absolute priority. A combination of those two principles is, in my opinion, what guides good government. For instance, when I raised the income threshold for provincial benefit support, we were forced to levy slightly more taxes on some luxury products to maintain a balanced budget. Thinking in this way, I cannot foresee how my opponent is ever going to realise some of her main campaign points."
H.: "Such as?"
C.: "Well for instance, Sen. Kirstin intends to increase European-funded healthcare support for families on low incomes. A noble goal, by any stretch of the imagination. But she also intends to lower contributions from member states. Across the board. How? How will she fund literally any of this? You cannot promise the world to voters, they won't buy it. As Premier Commissioner, one has very little scope of raising more revenue than one already does. It's about how to use this revenue. It's about introducing legislation in the Council. It's about encouraging member states to fund multilateral projects themselves."
H.: "Multilateral projects, I see. Like what?"
C.: "Like a European Green Deal, where nations come together to strengthen their environmental standards. Like improved digital access to rural European areas - not an expensive bigwig project like 5G for everyone, as Commissioner Juncker proposes, but using and improving already existing infrastructure to better accessibility for millions. Like creating free trade blocs and negotiating with government's like Spain's who levy taxes on key waterways. Like acting resolutely - with member states' backing - against regimes which threaten to destabilise our region. Against the threat of civil war like in Eastern Haane. Against warmongering and petty politics like the Reitzmic-Spanish dispute. These are cost-effective measures Premier Commissioners can take. Should take. Must take."
H.: "Senator Kirstin also made a point of strengthening the judicial powers of the ECoJ, allowing them to enforce punishments against nations who violate the European Constitution. What are your thoughts?"
C.: "This already exists. It is not a point for campaigning. The ECoJ already hears cases against nations who committed unconstitutional acts, and levies fines and other punishments against those found guilty. It staggers me to hear Sen. Kirstin is not aware of this."
H.: "There has been some talk lately about turning the EU Council into a parliamentary assembly, with proportional representation for each nation. Your opponent disagrees with this proposition, do you?"
C.: "This is an area where Senator Kirstin and I agree. I do not think this would work under the current system and I would oppose any attempt for proportional representation to be instituted in the Council. Our Union is strong exactly because of the equal representation of nations. It is interesting to me, however, that Senator Kirstin campaigns on behalf of a part which is clearly in favour of this proportional system, but she has voiced opposition to it personally. That reeks to me of untrustworthiness."
H.: "We're nearly running out of time here, but just one final question: you mentioned you tried to stand up for the weaker and poorer sections of society, so do you agree with Senator Kirstin's plans for European economic stimuli packages to poorer member states?"
C.: "Absolutely not. As happens so often with the Senator's proposals, this move appears at first attractive, but it not thought-out. Nations in this region have their differences, which is natural and normal. We cannot create a system whereby the richer nations of this Union are constantly handing over money to the poorer nations. Not only would that be an immensely unfair system, but it could also encourage semi-rogue states to exploit the system. Do you want Inimician, Duxburian, Angleteric tax money to flow into the hands of Dromund Kaas or Neo-Venetia? Because the EU dictates so? I don't."
H.: "Well, thank you, Walter Cocx, for your extensive answers, and we look forward to following your campaign."
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Manifesto Launch
Trondheim, Fremet, 24th August 2020
Under the sound of the Cocx Campaign for Europe's Theme Tune, the next Premier Commissioner steps on stage.
"Thank you, everyone, and thank you to our great Fremetian hosts for organising this, the start of the next chapter in Europe's story. it truly is great to be here in Trondheim among so many friends and colleagues. I come before you all today to set out my vision for this amazing region of ours, and what better place to do so than in the capital of one of the most important and involved nations this continent plays host to?
Today will go down in history. Today will be heralded as the start of a new era for this region. When Europe abandoned the old politics of the left, the right, the populist. Europe yearns for pragmatism, for open and social policies. For a balanced budget that rewards member states for frugality, yet helps them with compassionate approaches to the poorest among us.
Dragan Trympov accused me of being silent in this campaign. Senator Kirstin spread a fake sexist meme about my candidacy without even the remotest fact-checking. And Sofie Čikarová is actively attempting to spread the malcious poison of communism straight into the office of the Premier Commissioner. No. No, no, no. A Cocx Premiership will be open. social. phenomenal. We are not swayed by ideology or idealism, but by pragmatism and common sense. And today, I will set out the four main policy pillars I will base my Premiership on.
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First, the Cocx Premiership will be tough on rogue states. My priority as Premier will be the safety and security of European peoples and nations, and that means introducing legislation that makes it possible for the European Council to take sanction-based actions against any nation threatening to destabilise our region, or to mandate the Commission to take these steps. Against groups such as the communist Nicolezians, just across the sea from here. Against the Neo-Venetian administration, devoid of any moral sense. The Cocx Movement is tough on rogue states.
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Second, the Cocx Premiership will uphold our European institutions. The European Assembly does not work, and anyone with common sense can see it. This playchild of MEGA and the ELDR has gone on for far too long. We will adhere to the European Constitution, to our national representation in the Council, which has served us well for so many years. We voice a resounding NO to any proposal to take away representation from smaller nations. The Cocx Movement stands like a rock for our way of life.
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Third, the Cocx Premiership prioritises member states' contributions. No increase from the current 0.1% GDP level will be tolerated - and no expensive projects such as Eurostar or a region-wide 5G network will find support from me. Member states will instead be encouraged by my Premiership to come to multilateral agreements regarding these issues, through dialogues hosted by me on a regular basis. Furthermore, the Cocx Premiership will aim to repeal the Elected and Accountable Council Act 2020, a thorn in the eye of every member state who values its right to represent its people in its own way. The Cocx Movement stands for the rights of individual nations.
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Fourth, the Cocx Premiership will be compassionate where it can, and tough where it must. I will prioritise and sponsor legislation protecting our green spaces, the environments we live in, and to make the lives of the poorest among us more bearable - though not, importantly, at the cost of member states' contributions. At the same time, we will not tolerate any attempt from outside our region to destabilise our institutions, and we will fight for a strong Eurocorps and defence mechanism to ensure the safety and security of us all. The people keeping us all safe will have the full, unmitigated backing of any Cocx Premiership.
Our campaign and my Premiership is and will not be distracted by the hyperleft musings of the PEL, nor by the everlasting dispute between two incarnations of the same inefficacy, the EPA and ELDR. The Cocx Movement does not choose between left or right, between progressive and conservative. Nor do we choose the well-known and downright dangerous route my new opponent Trympov takes, the road of populism and nationalism. And, naturally, the Cocx Movement does not engage in petty mud-slinging like we saw from Senator Kirstin's side. We are open. social. phenomenal. We are non-partisan, and proud of it.
I promise you and Europe one thing above all: I will say what I think, and do what I say. And to the question 'change?', my answer is a resounding YES. Thank you, and goodnight."
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Málaga, Spain - 26th August 2020
A Convo with Cocx (Part 1)
"Welcome, everyone, to this Convo with Cocx event, in Málaga, Spain. I am Adán Soto, and I have the pleasure of welcoming to this convention centre, none other than the man himself, Walter Cocx!"
"The Cocx Campaign for Europe Theme Tune bellows out over the crowds gathered in Málaga, Spain, and under the sound of cheering, the next Premier Commissioner Walter Cocx enters the stage."
Adán: "Welcome, Mr Cocx, welcome. The past few weeks have been turbulent, to say the least. A huge amount of candidates have put themselves forward for the office you are campaigning for. Tell me, who are you most afraid of?"
Walter: "Well thank you, Adán, and thanks to everyone present today for attending this fantastic event. Afraid? Well, if you mean, who of my opponents have the policies that, were they to come into effect, I would be most afraid of, I couldn't rank any of them. Trympov aims to take us back to the stone age with tribalistic nonsense and anti-immigrant rubbish. Senator Kirstin, well, someone who falls for a cheap sexist meme is in no way to be trusted with the responsibilities of high office. Sofie Čikarová's exceptionally dangerous endorsement of communist principles is an extremely high-level threat to the democratic regional order of Europe. And Angela Merkel, well, as charming as I'm sure she is, she's old news. Europe has had enough of the politics of the past - and certainly of the party political infighting she, too, is guilty of."
Adán: "Some would say you are old news, too. Your political career spans decades, you climbed the traditional ladder of provincial office. What makes you different?"
Walter: "What makes me different? I use my local experience, experience from direct contact with voters, grassroots campaigns, managing an extremely tight budget, and bring that experience to the regional stage. What makes me different? My policies are based on facts, figures, and experience, not on ideology and shouting sound-bites. What makes me different? I am open. I am social. And I aim to be phenomenal."
Adán: "During the presentation of your manifesto for Europe, you laid out four cornerstones of your policy base. Perhaps the most surprising among these was your 'toughness on rogue states' principle, especially because you initially characterised yourself as a compassionate politician. How do you reconcile this?"
Walter: "I always set out to be compassionate where possible, tough and unforgiving where necessary. Do you think the terrorists who are still leaving Dromund Kaas in anarchy deserve my compassion? That the Neo-Venetian communists, who may well have planned to assassinate an elected European head of state, deserve my sympathy? Absolutely not. What they deserve is a whole myriad of European Union-imposed sanctions. A Europe-wide lockdown of their financial and political activities. We cannot stand idly by while nation after nation descends into the anarchy we keep seeing."
Adán: "Some people may also have thought, 'oh you are a surprising, new, fresh candidate with new, fresh ideas', only to then hear you are opposed to any attempt to modernise the European Council, you are against the European Assembly, and against changing term limits for Comission candidates. Why?"
Walter: "Changing and fiddling with our established way of life is dangerous, and opens up our system to extremely threatening influences. Just imagine what a proportional European Council would look like currently, with the UNSR, Czech Slavia, Eastern Haane, all falling under the yoke of authoritarian governments. Where would nations with truly democratic and benevolent intentions go? As for the European Assembly, well, we all saw what that turned out to be. The Assembly puts member states' contributions at risk, splurging on big projects like 'Eurostar' and region-wide 5G. Its democratic effectiveness is questionable, and its responsibilities are unclear and vague."
To be continued...
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In an interview for Inimician broadcaster IBC, which most viewers described as "reminiscent of four months ago", Walter Cocx kicked off his second campaign for the European Premiership. Colin Husky interviews.
H: "Welcome, everyone, to the first Commission election 2021 interview with Inimician-born candidate Walter Cocx. Most of us in Inimicus know Cocx from his long, respected tenure in national politics, but viewers from outside the boundaries of the Empire may be less familiar with his exploits, so let me recap. Provincial Duke of Terra Praestoris for two consecutive terms, including one as Chairman of the Ducal Council, a national body meant to co-ordinate provincial policy; three-time winner of the Emperor Artabanos Award for Most Impactful Administrator, in 2015, 2016, and 2017; and former, though unsuccessful, candidate for Premier Commissioner. Is that fair, Dr Cocx?"
C: "Very fair, Colin, and thank you for having me -- I just wanted to say I'm incredibly excited to kick off my campaign at the IBC studios once again, as I did last time, and I'm confident that this election will be my best chance at making Europe more social, more open, and more phenomenal than ever."
H: "So you've decided to stick with your old campaign slogans and format, even though you were defeated by a gigantic margin last time around?"
C: "I think slogans and formats are secondary to policy and platform by, as you would say, a gigantic margin. I think my platform was appealing to people around our great union, people who don't feel like the infighting and extremism, or the businessman-like attitudes of most candidates represents them. I have a proven track record of political success. My proposed policies are not only progressive and pragmatic, they're also feasible. And feasibility is where most of the other candidates, well, frankly, fail."
H: "Could you name specifics?"
C: "Plenty of them. Let's start with Mr Le Berre's platform - which, I will readily admit, is highly thorough. However, Le Berre adheres to the false pretence of thinking the European Assembly is a necessary construct. We have had two meetings of this assembly to date, both of which resulted in no progress at all, and involved not just verbal fighting, but a national representative barging into the assembly chamber, half naked, brandishing a weapon. The European Council as we know it works. It's fair, it's balanced. We should not change what does not need changing. Le Berre further proposes to create even more bloated European institutions, when, what is overwhelmingly clear to me and to most Europeans, is that we need a frugal Europe. A frugal, decisive, and effective Europe. Creating a dozen more assemblies simply isn't going to work.
"Peter Leeson, the other candidate with an established platform, suffers from similar issues, including a desire to strengthen the Elected and Accountable Council Act, a thorn in the eye of member state sovereignty, and the plan to introduce, yes, you've guessed it, another European council-esque assembly! Leeson also suffers from the delusion of wanting to change what he cannot: his platform calls for a "move towards a single market", which the Premier cannot effect and which remains the sole sovereignty of member states, and he also feels like he could single-handedly protect and enhance human rights throughout Europe. A totally unrealistic manifesto. Furthermore --"
H: "Let me interrupt you right there, Dr Cocx. We all know how good you are at criticising others, but wouldn't a real candidate propose different solutions instead?"
C: "Absolutely. In the words of Homer Manco, the great Inimician author: "if thou wilt oppose whatever is said by others, without thyself showing us the sure course which we ought to take, thou art as likely to lead us into failure as those who advise differently -- for thou art but on a par with them". The Cocx campaign for Europe has a large set of pragmatic, realistic, centrist policies.
- A Cocx Premiership will sponsor legislation protecting our green spaces, the environments we live in, and to make the lives of the poorest among us more bearable - though not, importantly, at the cost of member states' contributions. At the same time, we will not tolerate any attempt from outside our region to destabilise our institutions, and we will fight for a strong Eurocorps and defence mechanism to ensure the safety and security of us all. The people keeping us all safe will have the full, unmitigated backing of any Cocx Premiership.
- On safety and tackling rogue states such as Eastern Haane, Reitzmag, and the USNR, a Cocx Premiership will sponsor Council legislation allowing for Europe-wide sanctions against nations threatening to destabilise our regions. The Cocx Movement is tough on rogue states, and always has been.
- One of my first priorities is the introduction of legislation abolishing the European Assembly. We will adhere to the European Constitution, to our national representation in the Council, which has served us well for so many years. We voice a resounding NO to any proposal to take away representation from smaller nations. The Cocx Movement stands like a rock for our way of life.
- Member states will instead be encouraged by my Premiership to come to multilateral agreements regarding expensive projects such as Eurorail or 5G networks, through dialogues hosted by me on a regular basis, instead of the EU drawing extensive funds from the budget for these issues. Furthermore, the Cocx Premiership will aim to repeal the Elected and Accountable Council Act 2020, a thorn in the eye of every member state who values its right to represent its people in its own way. The Cocx Movement stands for the rights of individual nations."
H: "You mention Reitzmag as a rogue state -- what would the consequence of this statement be if Atty Winston is elected to office alongside yourself?"
C: "I work with anyone elected by popular vote, of course. I don't see how someone's origin matters in these elections, Colin."
TBC
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A Message from Dr Walter Cocx
"Europeans, friends, we are coming towards the end of the campaign for Premier Commissioner, and I want to thank all of you who have shown me your support deeply. This week, Europe stands at a crossroads, presented with a choice of continuing the silent, waning, ineffective EPA bureaucracy of the past four months under Leeson, to choose for a bloated, confusing, distant Europe under Le Berre, or to choose for me. For a united yet fair Europe. Today I make my final appeal to you, voters, to cast your ballot for a Europe of reason, of rationalism, and to reject the extreme and vague proposals of my opponents.
Let us begin with Leeson, who offers you a peculiar combination of extreme pro-Europeanism, a complete lack of specificity and concrete policies, and a highly ineffective way of communicating his goals. Not only is Leeson a doomsayer, who claimed that "there is no middle ground" and that "we are in survival", but most of his so-called policies are far, far beyond the mandate of any Premier to date. From his proposed introduction of what he calls "participatory capitalism", a vague term with an even vaguer meaning, to his claim that "we need all countries on board" -- on board for what? How are you going to achieve this? He further proposed a standardisation of safety and consumer standards, something which a Premier, any Premier, cannot and should not do. Leeson might not recognise the middle ground, for he is certainly not on it. But, Mr Leeson, voters, I have something to tell you. There definitely is a middle ground. And that middle ground is the Cocx Movement.
On to my other opponent, Mr Le Berre, whose proposed policies are at the very least well worked out and specific. They are also, unfortunately, downright dangerous. New councils formed to discuss "pertinent issues." New councils formed for "marginalised populations". New councils in all sectors of the economy. A new Economic Council at European level. I don't know how many Councils Le Berre can think of to add to his platform, but every single one is one too many. We need to cut down on European bureaucracy -- abolish the ineffective European Assembly -- rather than institute another fifteen Councils no one will attend. It's furthermore interesting to note that, in Le Berre's view, "those running Europe ... are corrupt, caring only for their interests", a baseless accusation if ever there was one, but at the same time he proposes instituting another dozen councils with even more "corrupt" bureaucrats. There is no consistency in his plans.
Unlike Leeson, however, Le Berre has at least a few good suggestions -- and, much like how I noticed Le Berre started discussing the issue of rogue states after my campaign had highlighted this issue -- I will take inspiration from his campaign. His notion of the Premier having to be open to petitions is a good one, and I accept this. He also appears to be in favour of a united Commission, where Commissioners work together far more than they have done in previous months and years. This is a valid point, and one I would take up if elected to office.
The Cocx Movement does not dabble in the fantasy of Mr Leeson, or the ineffective bureaucratic ideals of Mr Le Berre. We will oppose any movement to increase the European Budget or to allocate expenditure on massive projects that should be dealt with multilaterally; we will sponsor legislation in the European Council, the only way to affect meaningful change at a European level, by the way, with the following aims:
- To allow the Commission, as a united body, to instantly embargo states deemed out of line by at least two EU member states' governments, a danger to regional security, or to member states' safety -- acting as a final possible measure in case all diplomacy fails.
- To immediately abolish the European Assembly, and empower the European Council with its duties.
- To repeal the Elected and Accountable Council Act 2020.
Furthermore, the Cocx Movement makes the following proposals:
- Premier Commissioners should facilitate, actively, projects such as Eurorail and a region-wide 5G network, on a multilateral basis, involving funding from different member states.
- Although we oppose direct stimulus packages for poorer member states, we are in favour of a common European mechanism for nations to apply for loans, financial aid, or other support, from other member states, once again facilitated by the Commission.
- Diplomatic and arbiter-related roles of Commissioners should be more widely implemented, to facilitate voluntary implementation of common currencies, visa-free travel zones, or other proposals to make the lives of Europeans easier, by groups of member states.
You all know my platform, and what I stand for. I now ask you to go out and vote -- vote for your principles, vote with your head, and with your heart. If we all do our best, then one bright day in the near future, we will wake up in a Europe of sanity, of rationality, and of peace. Thank you, goodnight."
