A Battle Unseen

[Elena1012]

A Slice of PAX.
People's Assembly of Xsampa, Metz-Leonid, Karosawa, Xsampa.
December 31st, 5667
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Shenlha Woekar sat at the circular desk, next to his colleagues, Gonpo Jigme and Pema. Shenlha was frustrated. Everyone was. The Speaker of PAX just forced the vote for the latest bill to be pushed to March. Goddamn March! All because the SLP and Jamma especially were hesitant to support it. The bill? Lifting the travel ban on Amudim. She couldn't lie. She did understand why.. the Bargas Chenpo made it more complex. But pushing it back to March? She put a hand on her brow and rubbed them. She was frustrated. More paperwork to do, more committee meetings. Jigme spoke up, softly. "Comrade... I understand your frustration. I'm upset too that the vote was delayed. But hey, you know what the Central Committee said, they expected the vote to narrowly fail. This gives us more time to rally Assemblymembers, and get their vote. Appeal to their districts too. We don't need any recalls happening."

Shenlha looked up, adjusted her glasses and nodded. She let out a hefty sigh. "I guess that's the silver lining. But who can we even convince? The SLP is united in opposition and whoever dissents won't be enough to save the bill. Land and Bread won't budge. We barely have the support of the GNP. Who else could we even convince? The public is split on lifting the ban. Every district in Metz-Leonid has negative 80 polling on lifting the ban for crying out loud!' she rubbed her forehead again. Pema kept silently working on paperwork whilst Jigme looked to the side, trying to come up with a response to ease his friend.

"I know we can't... I know we can't rely on the reputation of the Communist Party to carry us to pass the bill. But maybe we could spend this time convincing voters in other Cantons besides Karosawa? If the voters want it, their Assemblymember will have to vote for it unless they want to be recalled. I think we can-" he was cut off as Shenlha spoke up over him. "How? How do we convince the public? They're split just as much as PAX is over lifting the ban. All they've seen Amudim do is apologize 20 years ago, agree to peace and then help our enemies in Vascania. There's never been a Yeudi that's stepped foot in Xsampan soil to apologize for the Bargas Chenpo since Maria Kadiyot and she was just here for the trial." Pema's phone rang, and he stepped out after apologizing to answer it. Jigme thought for a moment and offered his own thoughts. "Then we campaign in what the Communist Party is known for. Improving lives. Tell Xsampans how lifting the ban can provide benefits. Eco tourism, local economies, a proper apology. We've done this dance before with Luthori, and sure they apologized first, and the conditions are different now, but I think we can get enough support to pass the bill. Even if Jamma opposes it and forces the SLP to be fully united."

Shenlha stood silent for a moment and thought. Her frustration was starting to go away. "Yeah, maybe they can work." She murmured. She didn't like the idea of asking the Central Committee to spend more party funds on passing her bill, but she wanted to see it pass. She just needed 13 more votes. From anyone. Most of Left-Green Dovani was locked in, a few SLP dissenters, whatever is left of the DPP, and most of the GNP should be enough to pass it. As well as securing dissenters from within the CPX. It wouldn't be an easy task and truthfully, she wasn't optimistic. But at least she'd rather try to change the circumstances than let her bill die in PAX. At least when March comes, it can't be stopped. The bill will have to be passed. 

Pema opened the door, a smile on his face. Shenlha and Jigme looked at him. It was unusual for him to be smiling this much. "Comrades. Clear your calendars tomorrow, I have someone I want you to meet." He quickly turned around and before he could start off, Jigme and Shenlha looked at each other and asked who? He turned his head, smiling and gave a short answer.

"Sherab Aurousseau."