The Tribune prides itself on its assurance that the voices of all its readers are heard. After a complaint was made from an internal dissident from the Trade Party (TP) regarding one reporter's coverage of that party's main candidate for leader of Parliament, the Tribune has agreed to hear the positions of this renegade member who has since gone on to create his own, sixth party of Parliament—Akmal, the new and sole leader of the World Party of Petronia. The following is the of-the-minute and unvarnished interview with this new radical.
The Petronian Tribune: You have your own party now—what can it offer than no other party here does?
Akmal: My party is going to offer some aspects which are not addressed by the other parties. My party's goal is combine these aspects, which is going to lead Great Petronia to not only a better economic sphere, but also to political improvements, and to become well-recognized in the international community.
PT: So, you're saying that because your party covers more and broader issues, you can provide a more holistic view of the issues that affect Great Petronia than any of the other five parties?
A: Yup.
PT: Could you briefly outline your major priorities, goals, and/or platform?
A: Specifically, the main goal is first of all to stop the war. Or, not stop—I mean, try to stop the war in some countries. And of course, to have more and more economical benefits from the regions of the world to improve. And also, to be as much as possible neutral in the political sphere.
PT: Why do you feel that you had to deviate from the norm and split off by yourself to accomplish these goals?
A: [Long pause] ...What if we will skip this question?
PT: Alright then. Do you plan on building coalitions with other parties?
A: Yup. Actually, first of all, I want to present a clear view to all members of Parliament, then I want to make sure that the people themselves are supporting me. Then ,if they support me, I'm going to support the ideas that they want to be supported. It means I'm going to be the apparatus by which people can let their voices be heard.
PT: With the creation of your own party, are you trying to actually accomplish goals, or merely make a statement with your actions? Are you looking to do some good, or did you merely feel like it was necessary to make some sort of protest via your actions?
A: First of all, I feel good. Second of all, my party is going to present diversity. If you look to the leaders of other parties, you will see that all of them are Americans. I am going to present issues which not only help America-oriented politics, but also international ones.
PT: So, do you feel then that because all of the main candidates are American, their worldview is too limited?
A: Yes.
PT: Can't someone be a good and able politician regardless of their nationality?
A: Yes, they can, but most of them are going to present the views from the American perspective. I would like to add, however, that I really appreciate all the work that the main candidates have been doing.
PT: Do you seek to promote any major reforms that perhaps aren't being covered by the current major five parties?
A: I can answer this after I have had a little more time to formulate my ideas.
PT: You've christened your party the World Party of Petronia. Could you explain that name, as well as your motto, “Peace On Earth”?
A: Yes. I call it the World Party of Petronia because I want to present policies related not only to one region, but also to the whole world. Our main goal is to keep our citizens in peace.
PT: You said that the specificity of the other parties' platforms worried you, but your position seems very driven on only one subject, too: that of peace. Any comments on that?
A: Yes—peace doesn't mean just to not have war, but to expand the economy. I want to ensure that the citizens of my country live happily.
PT: Do you feel then that the other parties are more belligerent and not amenable to creating peace?
A: I'm not really sure, because each party is really just going to present their own major positions. For example, just on China or climate, or at the same time, Russia and the Middle East. My role is to create the aspect which will be relatable to all groups of Petronians.
PT: Thank you for your time.
A: Thank you too, and thank you for letting me appear in your paper.
Read more on the positions of the World Party of Petronia at Haydarov's blog, www.worldpartyofpetronia.blogspot.com.
- EMILY MOLINE
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