Quote:(Hermenegildo Silva, reporter): Good evening, Mr General Secretary, it is a privilege to be sitting with you. Especially in such dark and worrying times, it is important that we are able to hear from prominent politicians. I wonder, then, whether you believe this could be the end of the left in Kalistan?

(Jean-Baptiste Fabian, Labour leader): Mr Silva, I was just about to thank you for your kind words before you came out with that nonsense! Needless to say, the left will never die in Kalistan. As long as there are decent human beings, which I believe there shall always be, the red flag will fly across our great nation. Nonetheless, we do face a serious assault from the populist, fascist rhetoric of the Kalistan Radical Front and their associates. It is fair to say that the results in January shocked everybody, not just in Kalistan but across Terra yet let's not overstate the margin of victory. Randell Ross received less than 30 million votes in a nation of nearly 100 million people! Clearly, the majority of the population do not support this man, his party or their agenda. My analysis is this: the KRF have a very committed and active voter base who consistently turn out to support them. In contrast, the left-wing parties and their supporters represent the status quo so many people believe that voting is unnecessary because the left has governed Kalistan for so long that to envisage any outcome except a leftist government is silly. I have heard this phenomenon referred to as 'hapathy' by some.

S: Okay, my apologies in that case. However, if Ross has so few supporters, how was he able to win the election?

F: An extremely vital question. Arguably, we have not presented the positive case for Ethical Socialism and the Dual Economy convincingly enough yet I think there is a deeper problem that runs through the left bloc parties. We tend to be unwilling to compromise. If you take a glance at the candidates for President you will see that the fascists did a much better job of embracing each other than we were able to. We need our Comrades in the SDP, the Environmentals, the People's Party and in the Liberation Fronts to put their differences aside. In the past, we in the Labour Party have often placed our own needs above those of the wider leftist cause. That was wrong and we have to make sure it does not happen again by uniting with one another to achieve our mutual goals.

S: With respect, this is good rhetoric but what does it mean in practice?

F: Chiefly, it means we must support one candidate for President. If all six of the parties I have referred to were to endorse one individual then I have no doubt they would be able to secure election as our President. That may mean that Mr Knapp from the PEP, or indeed Mr Persson from the SDP have to put their personal ambitions on hold but I know both of these men well and I understand they are men of great honour and principle. We have to recognise that we cannot win elections when we are divided, that should be undeniable at this point.

S: Do you believe that the candidate for President should be from the Labour Party, that seems to be what you are suggesting?

F: Indeed. We have, in the months since January, been constructing a plan to select a candidate with the input of all of our allies. Specifically, we will hold a primary election in which members of all six parties can vote for their preferred candidate, using a one-member, one-vote system. In the past, we have delayed our candidate selection- not this time. We want everybody to know who our guy or gal is. I won't be running myself but the election is open to any member of the Labour Party to submit themselves, provided they can collect the nomination of ten National or District Assembly Deputies. Nominations will close around June.

S: Well, this is certainly an interesting proposal. Regardless, it doesn't help prevent the damage done to our nation by the fascist government in the meantime?

F: True, very true Mr Silva. I do not believe it is hyperbole to say that the very existence of the Republic is being threatened. Luckily, the government has some divisions still. The Libertarian Party, while objectionable, are relatively liberal on social matters and that means that some of the most oppressive and poisonous legislation, like the withdrawal from the International Declaration of Human Rights, will not pass. I commend them on that, it is understandable that they performed signifcantly better than the two parties which support that bill.

S: On the subject of diplomacy, how will this result affect Kalistan's international standing?

F: Undoubtedly, it will take a hit. Uncertainty breed distrust and the current government is certainly embracing uncertainty. For now, I simply urge our allies- in Istalia, Hawu Mumenhes, Trigunia, Sekowo and elsewhere- we are doing everything in our power to support you. We live in dangerous times and it can be deeply troubling to observe such a vast change in position of a close friend. We have an extremely hard-working ambassador to the Security Council in Oscar Machado, which will hopefully reassure the Terran community that Kalistan is still a respectable nation. If and when, the left returns to power, our first course of action will be to rebuild the bridges that this government is already attempting to burn.

S: Lastly, it has been reported that you contacted the Saridanese government as one of your last duties as Premier, what was the nature of that communication?

F: My purpose was to establish the position of the incoming Presiding Elder. We spoke about the attempted reforms and on the crowning of Vanukean Prince Aldrkai as King of Saridan. Crucially, I informed him that Kalistan would not consider lifting the trade embargo that has so crippled his economy until slavery was made illegal. Unfortunately, I am no longer in a position to guarantee that is the case but I can certainly say that the position of the Labour Party is that the embargo would be lifted (though tariffs may remain) when slavery is criminalised, and not before.

S: Good luck Mr Fabian.

F: Heaven knows I will need it Mr Silva, thank you.

Quote:'If the election were held tomorrow, who would you vote for in the Labour Presidential Primary?'- All eligible voters
Lia Schneider- 34%
Ajit Sharma- 15%
Mauro Curti- 11%
Cecilia Hooth- 8%
Don't know- 32%

Quote:'If the election were held tomorrow, who would you vote for in the Labour Presidential Primary?'- Labour Party members
Lia Schneider- 44%
Mauro Curti- 17%
Ajit Sharma- 11%
Cecilia Hooth- 10%
Don't know- 18%

Quote:'Who would make the best President of the Republic?'- Social Democratic Party members
Mauro Curti- 26%
Lia Schneider- 21%
Ajit Sharma- 17%
Cecilia Hooth- 16%
Don't know- 20%

Quote:'Who would do the most to protect the environment as President of the Republic?'- Populist Environmental Party members
Ajit Sharma- 82%
Mauro Curti- 7%
Cecilia Hooth- 3%
Lia Schneider- 2%
Don't know- 6%

Quote:"I have served in the Kalistani National Assembly for nearly a decade and have consistently upheld both progressive and environmental values. I will fight tirelessly to take on the fascist conservatives who have uprooted the traditions and cultures of our great nation." - Darius Hutcher

Quote:First, I would spearhead the shift to completely transition away from our dependence on oil, especially foreign oil. Secondly, I will completely ban the use of pesticides and impose strict regulations on large-scale farms, in turn, giving small, organic farms a chance to compete. Third, I will create numerous treaties to ensure that our allies do the same." - Darius Hutcher

Quote:During my tenure as Committee Chairman at Odufaray, I have constantly worked across the aisle to champion bipartisan reform. If elected, I would truly be a President that represents the entire country, not just the half of it that shares my political views." - Michael Bergmann

Quote:I would start with taking an "all of the above" approach by encouraging the growth of renewable energy while at the same time protecting our oil and coal workers. Gradually, I would issue incentives to transition the reliance of Kalistan from fossil fuels to renewable sources." - Michael Bergmann

Quote:I have held political office ever since I first graduated the University of Kalistan and have been attached to the PEP all my life. Thus, I will uphold its values to a greater extend than any other candidate on this stage." - Blake Archibald-Richardson

Quote:I would act swiftly and effectively. My first course of action would be to immediately remove all federal funding from oil, gas, and coal. I would then completely transfer all of that funding to renewable energy companies. We can make this transition almost over night." - Blake Archibald-Richardson

Quote:The fact that I am not qualified. There needs to be a major shake-up in the government and I am the only candidate who is willing to that. I will act as the voice of the people." - Ashton Langley

Quote:I have worked tirelessly to protect the environment all my life. I admit, I have been a part of a number of organizations which have conducted raids to free imprisoned animals from scientific laboratories. I am also a member of a hacker group which has conducted a number of operations to cause disruptions at oil refineries. We could perhaps take federal funding from the oil companies and put them into operations such as these, to take down any oil companies which don't comply with being shut down." - Ashton Langley

Quote:Who is your first choice among the PEP's primary candidates?

Quote:Who is your second choice among the PEP's primary candidates?

Quote:Who is your first choice among the PEP's primary candidates?

Quote:Who is your second choice among the PEP's primary candidates?

Quote:(Hermenegildo Silva, reporter): Greetings Mr Persson, it is an honour to be with you. Let's get started right away, shall we? What do you say to people who argue you now lack credibility as a leader following your defeat to Randell Ross in the last Presidential election?

(Hans Persson, leader of the Social Democratic Party): Well, thank you too. We analysed this loss extensively and came to the simple conclusion that the parties on the left were not united behind a single presidential candidate. In contrast to the parties on the extreme right, which were. There is no shame in losing an election: the people spoke and, while I don't agree with Mr Ross- in fact I severely dislike the man- they picked him. Regardless, it's something I will do everything in my power to prevent happening a second time and that is why the Social Democratic party fully supports the Labour Party's Franklin Foster for the Presidency, while I will run for Premier of the Republic. The parties on the left must unite against these ugly fascist winds.

S: If you were to find yourself as the Premier, what would be your immediate agenda after taking power?

P: Reversing the fascist and anti-worker agenda that the current administration has pushed through. Of course, I would bring back the commitment to the Dual Economy destroyed by the radicals.

S: What about internationally, how would you ensure that Kalistan is able to rebuild its, admittedly strained, relationships?

P: I can promise voters that one of my first actions would be to instruct my Minister of Foreign Affairs, whoever that might be, to reach out to every country that we have long considered friends and begin to mend relations and build bridges again. I also will vow to them that the export of oil, through the Kalistani National Petroleum Company, will continue no matter the government in charge. But most of all, I'll ensure that we rebuild trust, which is the most important thing between Kalistan and our many allies.

S: A number of prominent members of the Society of Brethren, including Sherman Noteman from the Labour Party's Central Committee, have spoken of their dismay at the passing of Nuclear Initiative bill. The Social Democratic Party voted in favour of this bill, what do you say to those critics?

P: The SDP has always been a party that supports our armed forces. If we are to have a credible neutrality it means that we must be able to defend ourselves without any other nation's help. I don't condone the use of chemical weapons but it is a deterrent.

S: With respect Mr Persson, the bill authorised the use of such weaponry where it had previously been prohibited, does this not raise questions about your principles when combined with the fact that you have governed with right wing parties before?

P: Sir, I want to be very clear with you. The proposals from the Kalistan Radical Front supporting slavery and such came after we sat in government with them. Don't forget, too, I proposed another cabinet dumping them. As I have already said, we are proud of our military and believe in defending our nation. I will not apologise for supporting our armed forces and making this nation just a little bit safer.

S: One last question, a short answer if you please, will you be leader of the SDP in eighteen months time?

P: Of course. The party still has full confidence in me and as long as that's true, it would be wrong for me to resign as leader.

S: Thank you for meeting me Mr Persson.

Quote:I would like to firstly apologise to the people of Kalistan who placed there trust in the CPK and today you will hear the truth. During a night in September 4131 over a large state of frustration and anger because of failing bills and dis-unified government, I took the worst decision of my life to take recreational drugs. Later that'p evening I was passed out on the floor and was saved by my wife. We decided to resign all cabinet members and National Assembly members and address the party. Next few months the party would create new candidates and new policy's. I am truely ashamed of what I have done and will now leave the office of public service.

Quote:Our fellow Kalistanians, After a deeply saddened time for us over the past few months we have came together as a team to develop new party policies, candidates and mission, but as I'm sure you are all wondering but who are these candidates well I'm here to tell you today.

President- Malcolm Abbott

Head of Government- Tony Turnbull

Foreign Affairs- Julia Bishop

Internal Affairs- Pru Howard

Finance- William Griffiths

Defence- Joe Choibo

Justice- Grace Ahrens

Infrastructure & Transport- Scott Hockey

Health & Social Services- Steve Thompson

Education & Culture- Karen Howard

Science & Technology- Rosa Ambrose

Food & Agriculture- Barnaby Morrison

Environment- Tors Webster

Trade & Industry- Pauline Joyce

Meaning. We are your new candidates.