Journalist: Prime Minister, thank you for agreeing to talk this morning.
Prime Minister: Thank you for having me, Mara, always a pleasure speaking to you.
Journalist: Likewise. Would you prefer to start tough or easy.
Prime Minister: Start tough, love a challenge.
Journalist: You have a tough session ahead in Parliament and you have so many, I would say, unfair rumours that you’re doing a bad job, how would they know what sort of job you are doing? They don’t sit in Parliament, do they?
Prime Minister: No, they don’t sit in Parliament. They don’t see the hours, the negotiations, the nights we stay late trying to pass legislation that actually helps people. But that’s the job, isn’t it? You don’t take this office to be liked—you take it to serve. If there are rumours, fine. Let them talk. My concern is with results, not noise.
Journalist: But Prime Minister, noise has power—especially now. If the public trust falters, even the best results can be dismissed or ignored. Do you ever worry that the truth of your work won’t be enough to hold your government together?
Prime Minister: Of course I worry. I’m not made of stone. But leadership isn’t about chasing applause—it’s about doing what’s right, even when it’s deeply unpopular. The truth does matter, and I believe it will outlast the spin. Maybe not today, maybe not in tomorrow’s headlines—but in the long run, people remember who showed up when it counted.
Journalist: Let’s turn to policy, then. Your administration has pushed through major reforms in education and healthcare, but critics argue that rural communities are still being left behind. How do you respond to that?
Prime Minister: That’s a fair concern, and one we’re actively addressing. Just last quarter, we launched the Rural Access Initiative—250 million dropiras invested into infrastructure, broadband, and mobile clinics across the Outer Districts. Already, we’ve doubled the number of permanent GPs in communities that previously had none.
In education, we’ve piloted satellite classrooms using VR technology in partnership with QaweriTech University. Kids in places like Deruvan and Istal can now access the same lectures as students in the capital.
It’s not perfect yet, but we’re not standing still. We’re closing the gap, one policy at a time.
Journalist: But Prime Minister, some of those communities say they’ve heard these promises before—especially around healthcare. One clinic in Istal had a ribbon-cutting three months ago but still isn’t staffed full-time. Isn’t there a risk that these projects are more about headlines than lasting change?
Prime Minister: You’re right to bring that up. I visited Istal myself last month and spoke to the local council. The frustration is real—and justified. Announcing a clinic is not the same as making it work. We underestimated how long the staffing pipeline would take to fill in rural regions, and that’s on us.
We’ve since shifted resources—fast-tracked rural incentives, doubled relocation bonuses for medical staff, and restructured the rollout so clinics only open when we’re sure they can operate sustainably. I can’t undo the delay, but I can make sure we don’t repeat it. And I will.
Journalist: Your government is considering ending its supply agreements with Krauanagaz, especially in light of recent labour abuses reported in their mining sector. If that happens, where would Qaweritoyu turn next for those critical materials? And can you afford to?
Prime Minister: To set the record straight, Mara—the issue with Krauanagaz is not just about resources. It’s about their government’s condemnation of President Christopher Elliott’s work in establishing the Free States of Amberholde and Clearhill. This wasn’t a diplomatic misstep—it was a direct attack on the sovereignty of those nations and their democratic rights.
Qaweritoyu stands firmly with President Elliott and the Free States. We believe in the right to self-determination, and we will not back down from that principle.
As for replacing those supplies, we’ve turned to Izaakia. Our two countries share a long-standing friendship, built on mutual respect and decades of cooperation. Their capacity to meet our needs is solid, and we are confident in their ability to support us without compromising on our ethical standards. This isn’t about economic convenience—it’s about aligning with partners who share our values and support our vision for a more just world.
Journalist: Just to clarify, Prime Minister, were you aware that President Christopher Elliott was planning to take over Amberholde before it happened? Some sources suggest that Qaweritoyu’s support of his actions might not have been as proactive as you’re making it sound. Was your government consulted beforehand?
Prime Minister: That’s a fair point, Mara. I’ll be honest—Qaweritoyu wasn’t directly involved in the specifics of President Elliott’s decisions regarding Amberholde. We were not formally consulted before the takeover. But let me be clear—Qaweritoyu supports the President’s right to make decisions that best serve his people and the democratic process.
We fully stand by the Free States of Amberholde and Clearhill, because we believe in their right to self-determination, even if those decisions surprise us or happen without our input. Leadership means standing by our allies, especially when they act in the interest of their people, even if the road is unclear at the outset.
Journalist: But Prime Minister, such a sudden shift could have significant fallout. Krauanagaz is a key player in the region, and their influence extends far beyond trade. Isn’t there a risk that pulling out now could isolate Qaweritoyu, especially economically? How do you plan to mitigate the consequences of this unanticipated move?
Prime Minister: Yes, Mara, I fully acknowledge that there are risks. Shifting alliances, especially on such a significant issue, is never without consequences. We’re not blind to the fact that Krauanagaz has a broad network of influence, and pulling out of that supply chain could create immediate challenges, especially in the short term.
But we are not acting in haste—we’re making a principled decision, and we’re taking steps to ensure that this won’t destabilize our economy. Our trade with Izaakia, for example, has been growing steadily over the years, and they’ve offered terms that will allow us to transition smoothly. We’ve also diversified our supply routes, and I am confident that Qaweritoyu can weather this shift if we stay strategic and remain committed to our long-term goals.
Yes, there will be turbulence—but we cannot prioritise expediency over ethics. In the end, it’s the right decision, and one that reflects who we are as a nation.
Journalist: That may be true in the short term, Prime Minister, but what about the long-term? In 2027, when your government is no longer in power, will the next administration be left to pick up the pieces of this decision? Could they be forced to rebuild bridges with Krauanagaz, or even reconsider the partnership with Izaakia if things don’t go as planned?
Prime Minister: Let me make one thing clear, Mara—I don’t plan on being a ‘past’ Prime Minister in 2027. My government is laying the groundwork for a sustainable future. The decisions we make today are designed to strengthen Qaweritoyu for the long haul, not leave the next administration with a mess to clean up.
We are building deeper, more resilient relationships with countries like Izaakia, ensuring that we are not dependent on any one partner. If the next government faces challenges from this decision, they will do so from a position of strength, not weakness.
I’m confident that the choices we are making now will lay the foundation for a prosperous and ethical future—one where Qaweritoyu is respected as a nation of principle, and where our alliances are based on mutual respect, not convenience.
So, in 2027, if I’m not the Prime Minister, I will know that my successor has a country that stands tall, no matter who sits in office.
Journalist: But that’s assuming everything goes to plan, Prime Minister. What if Izaakia’s markets tighten? What if their supply lines falter or their priorities shift? And what if, despite best intentions, Krauanagaz becomes indispensable again on the global stage?
Isn’t there a risk that you’ve locked Qaweritoyu into a moral position that could limit flexibility—economically and diplomatically—for years to come? Even if you are still Prime Minister in 2027, would you really be willing to walk back from that principle if circumstances demanded it?
Prime Minister: No, Mara—I wouldn’t walk it back. If we abandoned our principles every time the wind changed direction, what kind of leadership would that be? That’s not governance—that’s opportunism.
Qaweritoyu made a decision not just about trade, but about the kind of world we want to help shape. If Izaakia’s markets tighten, we adapt. If global trends shift, we innovate. We’ve done it before—we will do it again.
But we will not trade with regimes that undermine democracy and insult self-determination. That isn’t rigidity—that’s integrity. And if that limits us in some areas, so be it. I’d rather lead a principled nation with clear values than drift with the tide of expediency.
Because at the end of the day, our people deserve a government that knows what it stands for—and stands by it.
Journalist: Let’s bring this back to regional security then, Prime Minister. Krauanagaz may have condemned President Elliott’s moves, but it remains a dominant regional force with significant influence. By cutting ties and siding firmly with the Free States, is Qaweritoyu not risking further destabilisation in the region?
Are you confident that this principled stance won’t provoke greater tension—or worse, isolation—from your neighbours?
Prime Minister: I’m not naïve, Mara—there will always be pushback when a nation steps out of line with the status quo. But Qaweritoyu isn’t acting alone. We’re part of a growing coalition of nations that believe in self-determination, in international solidarity, and in economic justice.
Izaakia stands with us. So do several others quietly watching this region shift. The more we lead with principle, the more others are emboldened to do the same. This isn’t isolation—it’s alignment. A realignment, even.
Regional security doesn’t come from appeasing power blocs who act with impunity. It comes from building trust, deepening cooperation with partners who share our values, and showing smaller nations that strength doesn’t have to mean silence.
So yes, we expect tension. But we also expect momentum—because when countries move together with a shared purpose, the balance shifts. And that’s what we’re working toward.
Journalist: Then let’s talk about that momentum, Prime Minister. If Qaweritoyu is standing so firmly behind the Free States, what kind of economic investment are you actually committing to Amberholde and Clearhill?
Is this just a diplomatic show of support, or are we going to see real funding, infrastructure projects, and trade frameworks established on the ground?
Prime Minister: Mara, solidarity isn’t symbolic—it’s material. That’s why our government has committed D450 million over three years to support the Free States of Amberholde and Clearhill in building the institutions and infrastructure needed for true sovereignty. Not to impose our model, but to ensure they have the means to choose their own.
This includes publicly funded development of essential services—transport links, water systems, and communications—all coordinated through a joint economic council where working-class representatives from each state will sit alongside our own.
We’re also establishing worker-led cooperatives, supported by D60 million in state-backed guarantees, to create employment rooted in local ownership—not foreign profit. We’re sending trade union advisers, not just economists, to ensure any deals made are fair, reciprocal, and dignified.
Qaweritoyu believes in internationalism that empowers—not exploits. In place of extraction, we offer exchange. In place of imposition, partnership. Because building a global order starts with putting people, not profit, at the centre of our foreign policy.
Journalist: Well, Prime Minister, after all that weighty policy—and thank you for your candour—let me ask you something a little lighter. When you do get a rare moment to yourself, what’s your go-to way to unwind?
Any guilty pleasures on TV we should know about?
Prime Minister: Well, I’d hardly call it a guilty pleasure—but I’ve always had a soft spot for The People’s Hearth. There’s something about ordinary folk coming together to solve local problems, argue passionately in the community hall, and still find time to share a meal afterwards.
It reminds me why I do this job. It’s not the debates in Parliament—it’s the real debates happening around kitchen tables. That’s where democracy lives, and I think we forget that sometimes.
Journalist: Alright, Prime Minister, last one—if you could have dinner with any historical figure, living or dead, who would it be?
Prime Minister: That’s a tough one, Mara, but I think it would be Rosa Luxemburg. She was someone who saw the potential for radical change, but always from the perspective of the people. Her understanding of solidarity, her critique of both capitalism and authoritarianism, and her commitment to democratic socialism—it’s something I deeply admire.
I’d love to ask her how she would approach today’s challenges, where the political landscape feels fragmented, and how we can maintain hope while striving for systemic change.
Journalist: Prime Minister, cake or pie?
Prime Minister: Ah, now that’s an easy one—cake. But only if it’s chocolate. Pie’s too… orderly. Cake is where the real fun is.
Journalist: Well, Prime Minister, thank you for your time today. It’s been a pleasure—politics, cake, and all. Best of luck with everything ahead.
Prime Minister: Thank you, Mara, for your questions—and for reminding us all that in the midst of governance, there’s always room for a little levity.
To the people of Qaweritoyu, know this: we are committed to making decisions that will shape a more just, principled future—one that doesn’t compromise on values for the sake of convenience. Every challenge is an opportunity to do better, and we’re not shying away from that responsibility.