Sitting Down With Salman
Party Leader Gives His First Exclusive Interview
Follow on from a dramatic first few months in charge, the Bugle’s Saira Khan sat down with the NDU Leader to discuss the future of the Party, the disputes with Baltusia and Istalia, and the next election.
Mr bin-Hamad, thank you for sitting down with the Bugle.
My pleasure, I’m always happy to talk to the press and discuss the important issues facing our party
Let’s launch straight into those, shall we? The NDU has been blamed by all sides for the present issues with Baltusia. How do you respond?
I’ll admit, the previous NDU government and the rogue faction supporting it within the Party executive have spectacularly cocked up. The sanctions and demands were insane, efforts to kill Baltusian politicans were beyond the pale, and the language used by officials was painful to sit and listen to. But let’s not forget, it was Baltusia that started this. We have accessed the official communique archives, and uncovered the following telegram text;
Hi we wish to discuss you shahs title can you remove king of baltusia from it if you can do this it would be much appreciated
Thank you
President Katherine Benn
Of Baltusia
I see- this certainly looks bad for the Baltusians considering they blame Aldegar for launching insults and efforts with no provocation...
Well, we are just putting this out there for everyone to see and for the government to use at its discretion. But look I’m determined, now I am in full control of the NDU, to shift attitudes and approach. We don’t want conflict or dispute, we want to de-escalate. Baltusia and her allies need to accept that the Shah will not renounce the title. We accept they don’t want His Most High Majesty, and the moment, as Head of State. If Baltusia can agree that it is the right of the Shah to use within Aldegar any titles he wish, we could support a compromise that these titles do not feature in any documents or when the Shah goes abroad.
That is markedly conciliatory considering earlier attitudes. What of Istalia?
*laughs* I think the Istalians have just gotten a bit excited at the prospect of flexing what little diplomatic muscle they possess. We don’t want to fight them, they are the ones who have been tossing around insults and harsh words. I’m quite happy to sit back now and let them shoot themselves in the foot over it.
Moving on from the realm of international politics; elections are now less than 4 years away. Is the NDU confident of a fightback?
Absolutely. We plan to put our listening exercise to good use by introducing legislation and policy to the Divan over the coming months to relaunch our campaign. Much like our last government, the Hezb-e have become too caught up in international affairs to deal with domestic politics. Let’s also not forget the new Nationalist Party- they have been relatively quiet on the policy front, but it will be interesting to see what support if any they can get.
Do you believe you can return the NDU to government?
This time? I’m relatively confident. I’m certain we will win back seats and run the Hezb-e closer than last time. If not, winning seats will put us in a position to kick on and get power back in the future. We aren’t finished as a force by a long shot.
Thank you for sitting down with the Bugle, Mr bin-Hamad
Thank you.