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News > Politics > Bailtem > Stoinia
Geopolitical Sagacity with PM Celăreanu
By Naiara Rivera, 25th May 2024.
Prime Minister Alina Celăreanu during the interview. Source: Zimbron Republic.
As Pacifica grows tenser, Stoinia is set to maintain its course towards prosperity by former Prime Minister Gheorghe Vlaicu. The man had been at the helm of the Stoinian government for a decade. Although fit enough to perhaps have make a play at Prime Minister-General Stegăroiu, Vlaicu choice to allow the Stoinian government transition to a new type of leader in the oncoming changes of the South Pacific. Many expected a strong political figureheads like Costin Voicu or Onorio Santini to be nominated as PM, but the process of selecting a PM proved to once again surprise the nation. This time with Alina Celăreanu.
Alina Celăreanu was a prosecutor specialised in international trade law. Surprisingly, she had already been named to the Royal Privy Council and advised the government in trade disputes with Huawan & Shai Kong. Her rise among the ranks of lawyers had remained largely unknown to the wider media. Despite the obscurity of her career, the Zimbron Republic is set out to gain a deeper understanding of the lady at the helm of the Bailtemmic Kingdom.
Thank you for accepting this interview Madam Prime Minister. Let’s head straight into it, shall we? Could you tell us a bit more about yourself? Many both abroad and at home wonder who exactly this wonder lady is that has lead the Kingdom for the past year.
(smiles) I’m afraid I don’t have such an interesting origin as say my predecessor, a former mariner turned politician. I was born in Aragiu where I grew up as the second child in a family of seven. Somewhere along the lines of middle school I began increasingly interested in how Stoinia as a nation functioned and began to delve into the maze of our nation’s political structure. I became fascinated and pursued my parents to explain me all the different law procedures. If I wasn’t playing judge, you could find me either playing hurlea [1] or reading literary classics such as Lord of Thornes [2]. It wouldn’t be up until my studies at the Royal University of Sinaia that I would become politically active. Though I was more of an pragmatic debater than an ideological crusader. After my law studies, I continued my studies abroad in Shai Kong and eventually even completed an MBA at INSBAD Shai Kong as I specialised myself in international trade law. I have been across the South Pacific ever since.
An interesting backstory, quite refreshing from the traditional political career. Speaking of which… Your first 100 days in office have been quite impressive. You’ve abolished the inheritance tax, slashed taxes on salary bonuses by 70% and stipulated a comprehensive plan to increase financial literacy. How did you achieve that as a technocrat facing powerful political alliances?
Well I believe these all to have been necessary to help Stoinia shift to a more durable & robust form of managing the nation. Especially as we wish to play an important role on the geopolitical stage, we need to ensure our economy & people are financially literate on top of having the financial means. Stoinia finds itself in a very luxurious position within the South Pacific. It has endured centuries of stability, good governance and economic growth. Previous governments had various mechanism to increase incomes, but some of them like inheritance tax I’ve always found counterproductive for Stoinian generational welfare. Similar of taxes on salary bonuses. These are perfect instruments to allow company profits to transfer to its employees and have it pass on to their children without unnecessary fuss. The Vălean administration has done wonders to minimise budgetary strains on the government with its pension reform, which our newly stipulated curriculum aims to ameliorate as we teach financial literacy from middle school now. Strains such as the aforementioned would have kept other governments down in the face of impending change. Stoinia has always managed to stay at least ontrack with global evolutions since the discovery of Carraca.
It’s still remarkable that you were able to convince parties to vote in favour of your proposed legislations. Typically it would be the party leaders that would be the real kingmakers in the Stoinian political theatre. How did you circumvent the particracy?
Well I don’t believe Stoinia to be a particracy. If you want a prime example of that, it would have been early independent Shai Kong. Although political parties may be stuck in their ideological ways, Stoinia also has a vast variety of parties compared to most nations. One can always find a party who’s open to hear all kinds of proposals in Stoinia, which only strengthens our democracy in my opinion. It’s simply a game of finding a majority to pass your laws and I believe I was merely luck that I was able to formulate a platform which the current coalition approves of.
Your administration has also expanded the military. Particularly the Stoinian Royal Navy following the doctrine of light aircraft carriers. Why’s that exactly? Is it because of the increased militarisation of the South Pacific with nations such as Mitallduk posing a threat? Aren’t there other means like Pelinai’s petition against Vrigny on terms of human rights?
In the South Pacific you have to be a pragmatist to succeed. Some nations are open to discuss their differences, but not all. To that end Stoinia must be able to speak softly, but with a large club up its sleeve. Geopolitical strategies also depend on power projection, which our military is effectuating by increasing its arsenal of force multipliers. It allows our nation to protect the vital trade sea routes that feed millions of people. Indeed there are diplomatic channels which must always be tried first, but having strong muscles certainly helps to make yourself heard.
The World Forum right now is in an interesting phase as it struggles with its identity, but I’m confident such a peaceful project will come around to serve us all for the better. A test brought forth by Pelinai that no doubt will make the institution stronger.
Does military growth serve as a preparation for escalations in the DMZ between Reizen & DPRR?
To an extent. Those tensions are intricately entwined with our nation as we have had a vested interest in the Mediterranean since antiquity. It’s been our most reliable trade vessel and maintains as such to this day with partners such as Myria, Eria & Livana. As for the DMZ, we’ll keep a close eye on further escalations and hope a peaceful solution can be achieved.
However, the Frost Empire is like us a member of the Concordia Entente and we have obligations to each other. Stoinia is not a nation that goes back on its oaths. A similar case is happening with rebels in Losavra which could pose security risks to our exclaves in northern Cordilia. We have our strategic partners there upon which we can rely on.
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How do you foresee Stoinia could play a role in the world markets? As of late there’s been a vacuum in Termina with the withdrawal of the United States of Izaakia?
Termina is an important trade partner and I’m sure the markets will adjust accordingly. The markets continue to shift rapidly these past few years. I’m confident our private market will be competent enough to adjust to these shifts. It’s been within the Stoinian DNA for well over centuries.
And specifically the Frastinian markets as well as the rebuilding Ryccian one?
The Frastinian ones have been shifting more so than the rest. The push from the greens is perhaps too pre-emptive for the current markets to follow, which their opponents vocally counteract. It’s an interesting dynamic as we Bailtemmers tend to evolve incrementally instead of taking giant leaps. I concur with President Van Den Bergh in her methods for a realistic sustainable transition. Nonetheless, it’s important we keep cordial relations with Frastinian nations as a wider web of economic collaboration akin to that of the Triad is the surest way to ensure prosperity. In a way, they also compliment each other, Bailtemmers are leading in the car industry, but the most renowned trains are made in Frastinia, with the exception of Huawan. Hence why we should keep a keen eye on the Frastinian economies such Eflad, Gianatla & Ikarana.
As for the Ryccian market… Empress Relia’s reconstruction bonds have proven a useful tool, but Ryccia’s economic devastation remains a threat. The government’s control in all types of companies are understandable, but it’s spread too thin in terms of know-how. It should primarily focus on bringing in entrepreneurs & experienced business leaders to cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit in the nation. Let the experts work their magic and build a self-repairing machine. The know-how is there, especially in the Sunrise Triad & Shai Kong. Ryccia should think of incentives for pioneers to build up the nation again. Perhaps similar financial incentives as the Triad implemented in Myria could prove a remedy for its current predicament.
Interesting that you bring up the Sunrise Triad. How do you see it facing the world market? You also mentioned the economic intervention to stabilise the Myrian economy, how does that reflect the collaboration between the three nations?
I think the Sunrise Triad stands as a testament to prosperity through economic collaboration. The Triad has a unique unspoken language of helping each other by directing the free market to strengthen all partners involved. This is the kind of governance that I believe is the most fruitful in this day and age. Markets will adjust, but it’s the role of the government to guide and set the rules. The more we embrace collaboration with reliable partners, the better off we’ll all be on the long term.
How does the Comunopia stand as a reliable partner? After all, the King has made quite a promise in his New Year’s speech.
The fiscal reforms for Comunopio members prove that Stoinia cherishes the relationship it has with the Comunopio. Perhaps it is in line with the King’s own promise, but He has His role as the head of state and I mine as the head of government. We both have different roles and equally serve the Comunopio. A system that allows Him to be in space while government goes on. (chuckles)
The recent discovery of a large oil deposit in Conaro EEZ has left many wondering what Stoinia’s course of action will be. Many wonder if it should be exploited at all given the threat of climate change. How does your administration stand against increased CSR importance?
We of course hear the needs of a green transition, but we must beware a green revolution as it could prove counterproductive. Conaro may not have had a strong reason to transition or even ponder about it, but the recent discovery has forced the Principate to do so. No doubt the Prince will be a deciding factor for the central island’s course of action, but Stoinia holds a unique relationship with Him. Especially that the deposit has been discovered to protrude into Keanu & Hurley’s EEZ as well. Competition is fierce, but the Stoinian government is perapred for it. We’re currently pursuing to gain the rights for PetroTarnia as we can direct the mined oil for hybrid fuel, expanding the lifespan of the oil rig as well omitting rapid CO2-emissions. It’s a tough balance indeed, but one where Stoinia has always been a leading figure in.
How do you face next year’s elections?
It’s unclear whether I will gain the support from a governing party. Approval polls are up, but those can always be deceiving. It’s certainly thrilling to be on the political stage, but I’m not sure whether I’ll be up for another mandate. Too many unknowns at the moment to give a solid answer really. We’ll see how it goes and whether my service would be needed.
And finally the last question of this interview: Does the PM have a favourite type of cow like former USI President Storm’s Highland Cows?
I’m afraid I’m not well versed in the many races of cows. I therefore invite all enthusiast to send their suggestions to my public PO box.
[1] OOC note: Hurlea is a native Stoinian sport similar to gaelic hurling.
[2] OOC note: Lord of Thornes (by Cosmin Lucescu) is an IRP counterpart of the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin, though this one is finished.
