Valruzia

[Aethan]

INTERVIEW: JUDYTA KRAM, THE IRON COMMANDER AT THE HELM OF VALRUZIA

We speak with the new Valruzian Chancellor about this short legislature trigered by the Monarchical referendum

August 5708

Chancellor Judyta Kram speaking in Egelion

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Those who know her often call her the "Iron Commander". Half jokingly, half not. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Valruzia since 5704 and Deputy Chancellor of Valruzia since 5705 after the alliance with Sovereign Valruzia and the Socialdemocratic–Agrarian Party, she was behind the political negotiation that ended with former Chancellor Krystian Barela's resignation and stepping aside to allow for the coalition government to be formed. A member of the Sejm since 5700, she is known for her aggressive rhetoric and for not mincing words when criticizing what she considers wrong or harmful. Considered a loyal follower of former Foreign Minister Iwan Nowik's ideology, she decided to step forward and take the party leadership away from Roksana Parzych, believing that the party was drifting too far toward “social democracy.” and in just three years she has managed to reach the highest position in national politics, following an agreement with Sovereign Valruzia and the Social Democratic–Agrarian Party as a result of the early elections caused by the referendum on the monarchy and the subsequent declaration of incompatibility by the Supreme Court of Valruzia. She is Judyta Kram, and today we have the pleasure of interviewing her.

In person, Mrs. Kram is not the firebrand one might expect from her speeches in the Sejm. She is composed, precise and possesses a piercing gaze that seems to analyze the structural integrity of everything she looks at. She doesn't raise her voice, she simply speaks with the weight of someone who knows exactly where she is going.

Journalist: Chancellor, thanks for this interview. First of all: your critics often focus on your rhetoric, calling it "aggressive". How do you define your style of leadership?

Judyta Kram: (leans back, fingers steepled) Efficiency is often mistaken for aggression by those who benefit from inertia. I am here because the current system is mathematically unsustainable for the working class. If I am "fierce" in debate, it is because I am defending the time we have left to fix this country. We don't have the luxury of politeness when there is a need for urgent change in the course of our nation.

Journalist: The 5710 elections are only two years away. After the Supreme Court's declaration of incompatibility regarding the monarchy, the country is in a delicate state. What is your priority for this short window?

Kram: My priority is to make the change irreversible through institutional reform. We are focusing on three pillars: energy sovereignty, the strengthening of local workers' councils, and the final separation of the state from any monarchist or aristocratic influence. By 5710, I want the citizens to feel the tangible benefit of a state that serves them.

Journalist: You’ve been described as a "loyal follower" of Nowik’s ideology. Many fear this means a move away from pluralism.

Kram: Pluralism is healthy when it's a debate about how to improve the lives of Valruzians. It is toxic when it is used as a shield for those who wish to hoard wealth or restore outdated privileges. I am a constitutionalist. I follow the law, but I intend to use the law to its fullest extent to protect the majority. If that makes the elite feel "excluded", perhaps they should reflect on why they feel so disconnected from the common interest.

Journalist: You are in the Chancellery because Chancellor Zagórski decided to call for early elections following the declaration of incompatibility issued by the Valruzian Supreme Court in regards to the Monarchy referendum. What's your verdict?

Kram: I'm in this position as largest force of the coalition. The Socialdemocratic–Agrarian Party and especially Sovereign Valruzia, led by now Deputy chancellor and until then former Chancellor Marzel Zagórski understood that. Our agreement was based on mutual understanding and respect, and that is what we got. Some people I have heard that called for Sovereign Valruzia to give me the same treatment we demanded from them regarding former Chancellor Krystian Barela, but there was a completely different situation. And they understood it. Regarding the referendum, we voted against it in the first instance, and we advise against doing it. People believe that because we are the KPW we do not have an understanding of laws and only want to call for "revolution", but we do know what do we talk about. And we knew this would be turned down, no matter the outcome of the referendum. That's also why we called, after the declaration of incompatibility, for all those deputies that voted in favor of the referendum to step aside, because I believe it was it's duty. They failed the nation, and they should then play their part. From our part, Valruzia will have no monarch as long as we have a say in such thing.

Journalist: So what do you say about the sudden rise of the Valruzian Monarchist Party?

Kram: It's a party born from the fire of the emotion. My prediction is that they will not last long. Monarchy will NOT return to Valruzia, simply because there are not enough numbers to pass it in parliament. And people need to understand that. Of course, they can turn out in even larger numbers to support the Monarchists, but I doubt that they will ever get even close to the numbers needed. And that's it.

Journalist: But isn't that turning a blind eye to the will of the people?

Kram: "The will of the people" is a term that is often twisted and used by many to fit their own ideas. "The will of the people" cannot be a single moment, nor a situation of the current time. If there is a continuous support for monarchism over time, I guess we will need to address the elephant in the room. But again, I doubt it will come to that. It will simply fade, because Valruzians don't long for monarchism. They simply feel grateful for all the things the Nowiks have done for our nation – including our former leader, Iwan Nowik – and felt like they had to repay the debt. But it is not necessary.

Journalist: Currently, you are in Egelion for one of the most important conferences in recent times, along with representatives from Kalistan, Lodamun, Trigunia/Nadiya and New Endralon. What are you making of it?

Kram: We are taking where Chancellor Zagórski left it. We have been very clear and vocal about where we stand. In that sense, Kalistan and Valruzia have many common points, and we are making our voices heard. But overall, I believe we are working towards a very powerful and fruitful agreement that will benefit all nations present in the Conference, and will make a very powerful alliance in our part of Terra.

Journalist: Final question: You have less than 2 years to make something out of your Chancellorship before the 5710 elections. What are your plans?

Kram: My goal is, of course, to gain a full term in office. And for that, we need the KPW to regain the strength it once had, under Chancellor Nowik. It's a difficult task, but I feel up for the challenge. Valruzia has lost valuable time under different governments, but it's time to get back to work. And the KPW is the only one able to deliver the results we need. Our nation needs to progress in social rights, granting LGBT people the rights they have been long neglected such as third-gender recognition; our workers' need higher salaries; our cities need cleaner air; women deserve more equality; our military needs strength... And of course, in my 5710 plans is also to attend the Terran Olympics! [laughs]