Premier Commissioner Debate, June 2021

[Pravoslaviya]

PREMIER COMMISSIONER DEBATE

WITH PIYERS MORGANOV

Piyers Morganov: Hello, good evening. I'm Piyers Morganov, and tonight I'm going to be grilling the three candidates who want to be your next Premier Commissioner. These two women, and one man, want to run the European Union, and I'm here to test them on their knowledge, pin them down on their plans, and help you decide who you want to lead the region for the next four months. The stakes are high, so I'm not going to hold back, I'm not going to take any prisoners, and I'm not going to let them keep anything in reserve.

So without further ado, it's time to introduce the three candidates who are after your vote tonight:

SOFIE CIKAROVA, from Czech Slavia. A passionate left-winger, Sofie came third the last time she stood for Premier Commissioner. What makes her think she can do better this time; and what does she make of the instability in her own country and the entire European Union, and her own role in that? It's time for the real Sofie Cikarova to stand up.

JEAN-CLAUDE JUNCKER, from Spain. No stranger to many Europeans from his time as Internal Affairs Commissioner, Jean-Claude is campaigning to 'bring the real European Union back'. But is that the European Union he lost during his time on the Commission? Behind the tanks and trains and planes, we're going to get to the bottom of the real Jean-Claude Juncker.

ISKIRIS KOLINE, from Istkalen. Dr Koline has a detailed plan for Europe, but will it hold together under the spotlights of the debate? And what does she make of her war-torn country and the recent abolition of the Republic of Istkalen; what makes her think she has the answers that all of Europe should follow? Will the real Iskiris Koline shine through tonight?

Before we start, I'd like to remind our candidates not to break the rules! Their opening statements will take 6 minutes, so that's 2 minutes each ((OOC: 300 words)). Afterwards, there'll be a free debate period ((OOC: 24 hours)) in which the candidates can argue with each other at great length, provided they stay within my 1 minute ((OOC: 150 word)) limit each time they speak.

Following that, we'll take questions from our beloved European audience, for which candidates will be able to answer for 2 minutes ((OOC: 300 words)), followed by a free debate period where candidates can argue, provided they stay within the 1 minute limit ((OOC: 150 words)).

Furthermore, if any candidate is mentioned by any other candidate, they have an automatic right to reply for 1 minute ((150 words)).

But without further ado, it's time for the candidates to give us their opening statements; their elevator pitch as to why they should lead the EU through the summer of 2021. Let battle commence!

[Istkalen]

We no longer have a Europe; it has fallen apart, entirely gutted of whatever function it once had.

What has Europe done for any of us? Nothing, or very little. Some want it to do nothing more; some want it to do even less. They like to say that there is no compromise; that one either chooses the first or the second.

Perhaps there is a seed of truth to this; but neither is entirely true.

For there is a compromise.

Sovereignty must be defended, protected - codified; but at the same time, in solidarity, our Union should and must strive to do what is necessary - no longer the wasteful, the bizarre and unnecessary promises of the disgraceful politicians which plague it today - but rather the protection of the future - of sovereignty, of the commons, and of the world economy.

That is why I am here today. To put forward a vision of a better and resurrected Europe, one which exists in harmony with member-states, one which acts as an instrument of cooperation for the common good and the common defense, so that we and our progeny may live freely and happily.

[Czech Slavia]

"Thank you Morganov, greetings to you and your audience.

People of Europe as the current Commission's term is nearing its end there is an unique opportunity to pick a new course for the EU. Shall the Union continue down the path of violating the sovereigny of nations, with a Commission that tries to compete with the member states or should it go down a different path, a path of respect, co-operation and development with a Commission that serves the member states? Those are the two options before us and I represent the second one.

I am greatly honored that I can once again stand before you. When I stood before you for the first time, I was an unknown figure, yet the support I received showed me that I can't stand idle but that it is my duty to once again run, to continue fighting and represent the calls for a different and better Union. And together, we shall transform the calls into action and into reality."

[Spain]

"Good evening to the whole of the European Union and thank you Mr. Morganov for hosting us this time. It is an honour to be here.

Today, Europe plays it first survival game. The second part and by thus, the one that will really decide everything will start next week. Now, the Europeans have the chance to hear the proposals of us three, but at the same time, to be aware of the risks of voting the wrong candidate. These women can offer you gold and an amazing European Union, but it will be never be realistic, nor what they will really do.

Dr. Koline started saying Europe no longer exists and that the EU has done nothing for us. Meanwhile, Ms. Čikarová wants a new course for the European Union, but that path only leads to the very same situation they’ve in the UNSR she really loves and takes as a reference. Both doesn’t have any idea of Europe’s needs, because what our region really aims for is to be back to when it was the region we all wanted to be in. Are we really letting any of them run Europe?

As a candidate, I offer a very simple thing: to bring the real European Union back. We need to stop conflicts, to stop ideological fights or even the many attempts to achieve the end of the European Union. Some might say that’s impossible, but I’m here to prove them wrong. During this debate, I’ll offer you lots of proposals to finally get the Europe we wish back, but that can only be done if we stop those trying to lead the EU to a cliff by just not voting for them. Today, I’ll prove why I’m the correct choice, and I hope I can convince you.

Thanks."

[Pravoslaviya]

"Thank you. We now move on to our first question."

"You've all spoken about your desire to bring the European Union back together, but how do you intend to do that? What's the core problem dividing Europe right now, and what do you plan to do to address it?"

"You each have 2 minutes ((OOC: 300 words)) to respond. After you've all spoken, you can debate each other in turns of 1 minute maximum ((OOC: 150 words))."

[Istkalen]

The core issue dividing Europe is simple. It is the fact that the European Union does nothing of actual importance.

Look, for example, at the European economy. It is stuck decades behind modern economic orthodoxy, for no apparent reason other than the fact that current European politicians seem content to continue with useless rhetoric and piecemeal policies. The result, of course, is that we are left to deal with total economic anarchy, from which no one benefits and everyone suffers.

My plan is primarily to modernize the European economy. Not to impose regulations on business, nor on countries, but to bring things like trade and monetary policy about - one hundred years from the ancient times they are stuck in. The Union will thus have a purpose, and those leaving it will thus have to reconsider what they could be leaving.

[Czech Slavia]

The core issue requiring our attention is the EU institutions competing with the member states. They shouldn't try to dictate foreign relations of the member states, they shouldn't violate the free trade. And the "Condemnation of the Coup in Icholasen" is a prime example of this issue, because it puts Europeans in a great danger of escalating conflict. This needs to be resolved as quickly as possible, and the best way to do that is to let the member states themselves, with the support from the Commission, reach solution with the UNSR. The recent words of Mr. Juncker on the matter are sending off mixed messages and his policy could be unpredictable, while Dr. Koline's solution will simply not work. Icholasen will not denuclearize in the current climate.

At the same time, the Commission should communicate with the Council to establish certain barriers, keeping the EU institutions from interfering in these issues. As for issues that other countries currently have with the Union, it will be important to meet with the representatives of such countries and try to reach a solution, however the Union shouldn't try to force them to stay, the EU shall not became a prison of nations.

[Spain]

The European Union has a very interesting problem, which is a very deep political controversy with lot of work pending to do. You just need to look at us, the candidates, or to a Council Session to see this very clearly. What do we, as Europeans, want? More action, more inaction from the Commission, more or less sovereignty to take measures in your country? That is what we need to be clarified as soon as possible, and also Europe’s main problem: the constant conflict between the EU’s capacity of action.

To do that, we obviously a Constitutional reform and change how the European Union works when it comes to politics. The social part is also very important, and it shouldn’t be forgotten, that’s why it will also enter the Constitutional review; but all of this must be done with as many states as possible. We all need to agree on this new Constitution, but we also need to put an end to many things and push forward many more in our region.

I’ll give you a brief example, the European Council is there to control the Commission. But who controls the European Council? The ECoJ maybe, but apart from them, nobody else does. And until we don’t give the European Court of Justice new tools to control the Council independently, Europe won’t work politically. Same happens with our communication with member states: Apart from me, how many have met with the region leaders if it wasn’t for the Climate Treaty? Nobody has! A Juncker Commission guarantees European Union’s leaders a voice in what the Commission does, but also on the path Europe should take. If we all proceed together, we will of course manage to do great things together. If we choose inaction, get ready to see the EU’s doom.

---

Ms. Čikarová, is it unpredictable to propose the establishment of a dialogue between the UNSR and Icholasen with the mediation of the Premier; to propose a democratic solution or to propose free elections? I mean, for a declared supporter of the Communist regime it is, I can obviously see the reason why.

Of course, it’s unlikely one of the sides, or maybe both, will play their survival on a referendum, that’s why I have a Plan B. If both Icholasens disagree, then we should look into other solutions, but all of them should head to the same status: peace. But what cannot be allowed is to have the Council say how the EU should approach to this, because the decision adopted is obviously one-sided. Or are we forgetting about Free Icholasen, which remains being a member of our Union? This is very simple: both must be treated equally when negotiating.

[Istkalen]

Mr. Juncker, this is nonsensical. If the Council, the representative body of the EU, constituted of member-states, cannot decide on the Nicoleizian issue, then who exactly should? You? Do you believe yourself to be higher than the Council? Should we really place less-accountable bureaucracies over a more-accountable representative body of the nations?

As for Ms. Čikarová, how exactly are you going to ensure that ISI, which time and time again has led to severe debt and economic collapse in developing countries, works? It may sound as though I propose it - and indeed, I am in favor of developing undeveloped countries - but I believe in such things as comparative advantage. Or is that you don't believe in ISI?

[Czech Slavia]

Mr. Juncker, during your rally in Copala City in Reitzmag you said you won't ever allow the UNSR to join the European Union and that you are even willing to ignore the Council, just to prevent the UNSR from joining. To later express your support for a referendum in Icholasen in which the citizens of the country will get to choose the system, meaning that if the citizens would prefer the Union of Nicoleizian Socialist Republics, which you called incorrectly the "Union of Nicoleizian Soviet Republics", there shouldn't be any more barriers preventing them from joining the EU. That simply sends mixed messages and it makes you unpredictable. Unless of course you aim to violate the will of the Nicoleizian people too and either keep Icholasen out of the EU or manipulate the referendum to ensure that the people can't choose the UNSR over the old system.

[Spain]

First, I will reply to Ms. Koline: The Council should give an advice, but if they tell the Commission to work on the issue, then the European Commission should be given the powers and the independence to work as it believes to get the most successful result as possible. If we’re allowing the Council to say how everything should work and by thus, leaving no room for the Commission to make its own decisions, let’s abolish the Commission then. And about the second question, I’m not higher than the Council, but if the highest position of the EU cannot decide how to negotiate, then we’ve a problem.

But of course, you and Ms. Čikarová are like twins: you both pretend to say that you’re very different, but you’re mostly the same: both of you want to see a side being benefitted by the EU while the other side is forgotten.

---

Ms. Čikarová, I think it’s impossible to let the UNSR join when the condemnation says: “The European Union shall only recognize the democratically elected government of the United Dominions of Icholasen under Queen Anastasia II and Prime Minister Eilidh Whiteford as the legitimate government of Icholasen.” Besides, if the referendum was made, we’d have a different situation: a democratic choice which means the Condemnation could be repealed.

Also, it’s funny you suggest the referendum could be manipulated, and I think that’s not productive for the Europeans, nor realistic. So Ms. Čikarová, why don’t we do good proposals for the Europeans? Are you interested on proposing something? I can guarantee my full compromise to attempt the end of all conflicts around the EU with diplomacy and neutrality. You might have the first one in this topic, but not the second, and that doesn’t let you to be a good Premier.

[Istkalen]

Mr. Juncker, do you suffer from short-term memory loss? I was speaking more of your intentions in general. Just a minute ago, you were saying things like "but what cannot be allowed is to have the Council say how the EU should approach to this, because the decision adopted is obviously one-sided" and " until we don’t give the European Court of Justice new tools to control the Council independently, Europe won’t work politically," and, most sinisterly but also the most hidden of all, "A Juncker Commission guarantees European Union’s leaders a voice in what the Commission does, but also on the path Europe should take." Do none of these statements imply that you intend to subvert the Council as much as is possible? Or did you merely forget that you ever said them?

[Spain]

Ms. Koline, if I suffered from any illness, I wouldn’t be here. But, while you want to protect the EU economy’s future, I must say that crating several institutions which aren’t needed is doing the opposite. Anyway, the Europeans are more interested on what we want to do and I’ll now proceed to mention some of the several things I would like to do: Bringing the real EU back, the Erasmus programme, pursue the European values, bring back Premier questions, another Eurorail sections, which has been proved to be successful or the European Touristic Programme.

I’ve been the only candidate not to stick to a single topic, and while the other candidates keep attacking, I will keep proposing things. And about European leaders, I really want to hear them, that’s why I will host a Leaders’ Summit as soon as agendas are available to discuss the State of the Union.

[Istkalen]

It is very unfortunate that it seems that you deny modern economic orthodoxy, while at the same time refusing to answer me. I have a reading list I have prepared for you; shall I send it to you? In any case, what you propose is piecemeal - bandages on a Europe that has suffered so much trauma that it is bleeding to death. We do not need bandages; we need a much greater intervention. I propose a codification of sovereignty, the modernization of Europe's economy in the international sense, and the defense of the commons. Things that Europe can and should pursue - things that would give it definite purpose, give it a new lease on life.

Does a terrible scholarship and half-baked "touristic programs" compare to stability for European creditors? To the protection of the ozone layer, of the atmosphere in general? No, it does not, certainly not.

[Spain]

I think Ms. Koline you’re very lost on this debate and you haven’t read my programme. Have you ever heard of the EU 2030 Strategy? Let me explain it to you really briefly: change of the Constitution, changes to the ECoJ and a brand-new definition for sovereignty or other concepts. And this strategy’ll kick off as soon as I’m elected Premier Commissioner by abolishing the European Assembly.

A terrible scholarship would be awarding lazy students with a trip to Europe to do nothing related with their studies; half-baked touristic programs would be not helping the Europeans to travel around our region. But it’s with deep sorrow that you remember me to many that questioned the Eurorail project and now it’s a transport reference for 6 countries. It has been proved that when I do something, it works. That’s why the Europeans are always aware of what voting for me means.

[Istkalen]

Of course, I have heard of it, but it has been defined so vaguely that it appears to mostly exist in your mind, tied to some vague statements that everyone agrees with. Some of the things you've said, in fact, have not even been stated clearly, if at all, until now.

The issue with the scholarship and the touristic programs is that they are not a solution, nor anything approaching a solution. They are bandages to an issue that requires a much greater intervention - an intervention you doggedly resist, because it would mean the end of people like you.

[Czech Slavia]

Dr. Koline, the economic plan of PEL doesn't stand against specialization of economy in any way, if a member state sees higher advantage in specialization and has a development project for which requires some form of subsidization I'm not against that. If, on the other hand a member state sees higher advantage in diversifying their economy and replacing imports with domestic production in certain areas and has a development project requires some form of subsidization I'm once again not against that. My policies don't aim at forcing the states to adopt a uniform model. I aim to preserve the freedom of member states to pick their own path. As long as the project would increase the well-being of citizens of said country, for example projects supporting education and combating unemployment, it could be supported. I feel that the dilemma you presented doesn't apply here.

---

Mr. Juncker you were almost right and yet you ended up being completely wrong. If you payed any attention to our campaigns you must have noticed that I said that some of Dr. Koline's policies are similar to mine, which she denied yet you claim that we both pretend that they are different. Mr. Juncker, you don't remember the names of important actors in Europe, you either do not pay attention to others or lie about them, I am not sure which is worse and not to mention that you think it's wrong to focus on economy, as you accused Dr. Koline for focusing on economy as if it was something bad, while focusing on issues that do not involve the Commission like the Copala City. Are those the qualities of a good Premier Commissioner in your eyes?

[Spain]

Seems like Dr. Koline only follows her twin’s campaign, ladies and gentlemen. By the way, the Touristic Programme or the scholarship that I’ve named as ERASMUS don’t pretend to be a solution for the political problems of the EU, but a new possibility for many people around Europe. The Europeans deserve some help from the European Union, not to be forgotten once and another while we all pay attention to our political system. One and another have to go hand to hand. By the way Ms. Koline, I thought the European left wanted to help people to make their lifes better, but now they don’t. Coincidence?

The EU 2030 Strategy just pretends to bring the real European Union back, that one many want to destroy and it’s their worst nightmare. And by the way Ms. Koline, if you think an intervention would draft me out, then you don’t know me.

---

Ms. Čikarová, the same that according to you happened to me, now happened to you with your first sentence. One says you are similar, the other says you are different but still you remain to be the European left twins, and that cannot be denied by anybody on this room.

By the way Ms. Čikarová, we can all make mistakes on any name, as far as we don’t make things worse. The way Dr. Koline focuses on economy is outrageous, trying to spend even more money despite the major though of the EU is else cutting or keeping the budget the same! How can we allow that when the EU is on risk because of things like that? And finally, Ms. Čikarová: any diplomatic problems which risks the European Union’s stability concerns and involves the Commission if it keeps on going, and that’s a Commission service basic lesson.

[Istkalen]

I am not a leftist, Mr. Juncker. I would say that I am a liberal, but in reality I am a pragmatist. I do what works. Like, for example, ensuring the stability of creditors, placing regulations on trade as to prevent such things as the infamous Framptonian trade dispute from 2016, and attempting to prevent balance of payment crises with a mixture of proactive - investment-based - and reactive - immediate funds as to prevent a default, for example - policies. This has, of course, the added benefit of ending economic colonialism and mercantilism, which are terrible for all involved and which I utterly despise.

I do not even know whether you know what a balance of payment crisis is, which is horrifying, especially as, per the Constitution, the primary objective of the Premier Commissioner is the maintenance of the European economy.

---

Ms. Čikarová, thank you for clarifying your policies, that is all I will say. However, I would like to ask, if, say, if it were known that a specific course of development that a nation wishes to take loans for leads almost always to an inability to actually pay for those loans in the end, would it be advisable to lend that money? I believe you have already answered this, but I would simply like to confirm this. In my mind, it is not, which is why I would generally be against loaning money for the purpose of ISI, unless there is extenuating evidence that such a thing would not result in disaster; but of course you may think differently.

[Czech Slavia]

Dr. Koline, if it will be proven that the member state would mismanage or is mismanaging the subsidies provided to it, than the subsidies for that state should end until the member state will be able to use them properly. However I think that if, in a potential case, a member state requests subsidies to develop agricultural machinery in order to not import the machines, perhaps over long distances, I don't think there should be an issue with granting them such subsidies, provided it will use them for the mentioned project.