Kalistani Major History

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Reprinted from
IZQUIERDA- The Voice of the Kalistani Left
Elga Bjorksdattir-Carrangus is Elected President
Society of Bretheren Monthly Meetings top 100
Kaliburg, Ananto District
May 1, 3920


Elga Bjorksdattir-Carrangus, President of the Republic, Socialist Party of Kalistan

Running unopposed for President, Socialist and Society of the Bretheren Member Elga Bjorksdattir-Carrangus is elected President in all Districts.  Bjorksdattir has said that her primary initiatives will be directed at further nationalization of the economy and further opening of Kalistan to the International Sphere.  Her inauguration speech is printed below.

"Comrades and Friends.  Greetings from the Socialist Party of Kalistan!  I would like to take just a moment to thank all the people who voted in the recent election and worked tirelessly for our campaign.  Not only did Kalistan elect a Socialist as President for the first time in several hundred years, but we also secured a Socialist majority in a competitive election and elected Socialist governors in both Vrassa and Suldanor Districts.  The Socialist Party should be very happy with these results as they represent a clear mandate for our Party's Platform this term!

"Comrades and Friends.  With the help of our Committed Party Leaders and District and Local Committees, we shall now look forward to working with the new Prime Minister, Zachery San Xavier, from our legislative Partners in the Revolutionary Freedom Party, to ensure that the interests of Kalistan are promoted both at home and abroad.  Nationalism will be a bit of a challenge, but using programs which are already in place, beginning with the National Service Program, the Food Bank, ODEN and KALNAPECO, we should be able to broaden public control over additional sectors of the economy, starting with banking, health and education.  We have already directed the Foreign Minister to move several affinity treaties to a vote in the Assembly, and they appear to be on their way to passage, and we will restore Kalistan's traditional international orientation in the ever important NBC Ban Treaty and the Neutrality Accord.

"I also feel the need to point out the debt of gratitude that I owe to members of the Society of the Bretheren in Kalistan.  As the election was being conducted, the number of monthly meetings of the Society of the Bretheren passed 100, with an average of 42 members per meeting.  This number represents more than 100% growth in the Society in the past year.  While the numbers themselves do not explain the Socialist victory last January, they are important, because the members of the Society formed a very important activist bloc within the Socialist Party of Kalistan.  These more than 4000 individuals worked effortlessly for the Party in their various District and Local precincts.  They canvassed neighborhoods to encourage people to come out to vote.  They conducted polls and research that was vital to our campaign.  They staffed campaign centers and made countless telephone calls.  And they were responsible for more than 50 petitions to the National Government on a number of important initiatives such as the NBC ban that we expect to protect with Treaty this coming term.  While it is not official government policy to promote the work or the effort of any religious organization, I would be personally remiss if I didn't offer my sincerest thanks, appreciation and encouragement for the continued efforts of members and attenders of the Society of the Bretheren.

"Finally, I must also personally thank my personal Friend and Comrade Jonas Bennots-Plum for the encouragement and assistance he rendered this campaign.  It was Bennots who first inspired me to consider a run for President.  Bennots is a devoted Socialist, even at the expense of any sort of personal life, and campaigned non-stop for the three months leading to the National Elections.  This radical commitment to the Socialist cause is rare in even the most ardent partisan, and Bennots will continue to lead the Party with our support for foreseeable future.  It is my hope that Bennots will take some time off now that the election is over, but we have been unable to prevail upon him to do that so far, and therefore, I assume he will continue to dedicate his efforts going forward.

"This term, we hope to work with the Finance Minister to lower taxes, if possible while continuing to fund our national priorities.  We hope to see a financial bill which finally reflects additional funding for ODEN and KALNAPECO which were passed into law several years ago, and at the same time, a bill which reflects reduction in the military budget due to the abolition of our Nation's nuclear, chemical and biological forces

"Finally, we wish to express to the world that Kalistan is open and welcoming to all.  If any person, for any reason feels the need to flee their country, they may come to Kalistan.  When they get to Kalistan, they will be given immediate aid and assistance with integration in Kalistani Society.  As soon as they are ready, they may claim citizenship in Kalistan without qualification or test, and may become fully fledged members of our society.  Kalistani citizens are exempt from extradition.  Kalistani Citizens may own businesses in Kalistan.  Kalistani Citizens are entitled to all of our civil liberties and rights that attend citizenship.  Send us your tired, your poor, your lonely, your huddled masses, and without exception or reservation, we will give them warmth, shelter, nourishment, medicine and education, a place to work and a place to live and a place to grow.

"We thank you for your attention, and would like to close with a moment of silence and reflection...  Thank you Comrades and Friends."

With that, Elga Bjorksdattir replaced the microphone and left the podium to finish her preparation to assume the role of Member of the Socialist Party of Kalistan, President of the Republic.