Valruzia

[Aethan]

Towards a new State model? Dariusz Mech sparks debate on live TV

Sovereign Valruzia's new leader criticizes current model and ask for a profound reform

July 5713

SW leader Dariusz Mech during the TV program "The Late Meet" with Tv presenter Aleksy Syrek

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"Our current system needs a deep reform to stay afloat". With these words, SW leader Dariusz Mech started his more serious speech in the satirical comedy and interview TV program "The Late Meet", presented by Aleksy Syrek. After half an hour of jokes and light conversation, the mood took a sharp turn when Mech was asked about his ideology and his current plans for the upcoming elections in 5715, after recent polls placed his party, Sovereign Valruzia, almost at 50% of the total votes, as his interview represent the first of a full round of interviews with the leaders of the different Valruzian political parties. The first one was with Dariusz Mech, the recently elected new leader of Sovereign Valruzia which stood by for his unusual aspect for a professional politician: a casual outfit and the so-called "street slang".

"Szymon Nowik is one of the greatest heroes of our nation. I do believe that. I do believe that he is akin to old Valruzian heroes, and I'm sure he will be remembered as such" said Mech in relation to the most well-known Sovereign Valruzia leader and Valruzian chancellor. "However, I do think that the system he helped build is far from perfect, and needs a profound reform to continue delivering".

After being asked whether he was more a "dog or a cat person" – the answer is dogs, as he stated after mentioning having two at home –, a coffee or a tea person – "coffee in the mornings, tea at nights" –, owl or lark – "I wake up everyday at 6am and stay up until around 12pm (if there are no parties at sight)" – or whether he was more into guys or girls – "you know, we all had crazy times at college but I'm more of a free spirit" –, TV presenter Alesky Syrek wanted to dive more into his ideology, political positions and proposals. And it was there where the storm was unleashed, as he stated he would pursue "a vast reform of the State". Among his proposals, he called for the merge of the positions of President and Chancellor, therefore having a single head of State and Government; the abolition political party lists to contest the legislative elections; and a full ban on religion, among other issues.

When asked to explain himself, he said that, as of now, the office of the President is "merely symbolic", and "barely justifies its existence". "However", he argued "I'm in favor of the current system of election. So my idea is to merge the Chancellery into the Presidency to make the President both Head of State and government under the name of Chancellor, but keeping its method of election, but reducing its mandate to a renewable 5-years period." In addition to that, he called for new method to select the Sejm deputies to be changed, claiming that the current "part-based method" does not allow for Valruzia to "fully progress".

"Under our current system, mediocrity and loyalty are rewarded over real progress and collaboration. We limit ourselves not based on what is proposed, but on who proposes it. And that is a problem that has an easy solution. To elect our representatives, the method should be the same as for electing our President: primaries open to all citizens, public debates that prioritize real ideas and understanding over any political affiliation."

The jovial atmosphere that usually defines The Late Meet vanished like trying to decipher everything that Dariusz Mech had revealed up to that point. Aleksy Syrek, usually quick with a sharp-witted quip, sat in silence for a few seconds, processing the scale of what he had heard, and to move forward, he jumped into Mech's other proposal:

"A state with no room for faith at all?" Syrek questioned, leaning forward. "Dariusz, even in a nation as secular as ours, a full ban is a massive hammer to swing, especially with the huge amount of Yeudi population. Why go for a total prohibition instead of the current neutrality?"

Mech didn't blink. With a calm that was almost unsettling, he replied:

"Neutrality is a mask for indecision. Valruzia is a land of reason, yet we still allow centuries or thousand-year-old myths to occupy public spaces and tax-exempt land. If we are to be the most advanced nation on the continent, we must stop pretending that private superstitions deserve public protection. My proposal is simple: No state funding, no religious symbols in government, and no legal standing for religious organizations as anything other than private hobbyist clubs."

The interview didn't stop there. Syrek, trying to regain the pulse of the show, pointed out the irony of Mech using the "party-list system" he wants to abolish to gain his power, but his response was pragmatic: "I have to and I will use the tools of the old world to build the new one. How else could you reach power if not by using the current system? If Sovereign Valruzia hits 50%, I will take it as a mandate for a total rewire of this system."

Starting tomorrow, the leaders of the rival parties – who are scheduled for the next slots on The Late Meet, starting with KPW leader and current Chancellor Judyta Kram, often seen as a fierce populist and trained public speaker – will have to respond. For now, Dariusz Mech has achieved his primary goal: ensuring that no one in Valruzia can talk about anything else.