Prime Minister Ulysses Hart was given the chance to reflect on his first two years in office today at a public forum sponsored by the Society for Economic Reform, a center-left think tank. Mr. Hart began his remarks with an assessment of the previous administration. "The damage the far-right inflicted on our commonwealth cannot be overstated," Hart observed.
Widely seen as a pragmatist and consensus-builder, Hart has spearheaded the passage of child labor protections, antitrust regulations, the partial restoration of public healthcare, more humane immigration enforcement policies, and the reduction of the hugely unpopular general sales tax. "Together with our Socialist allies as well as the UDP, the RP, and the RCG, we have already achieved so much in restoring reason and order to government. My colleagues on the Right have demonstrated that conservatism need not and should not be synonymous with bigotry, hatred, and mindless nationalism."In just a few short years, the Whigs and their right-wing allies managed to almost completely dismantle the social safety net, plunging millions into poverty and economic uncertainty. The enacted bigoted, regressive policies that cruelly punished minorities. They attempted nothing less than the restoration of monarchy and a landed aristocracy, a backward system where blood and birthright meant more than talent and ability, and they came perilously close to succeeding. But we're on our way back.
Hart has come under fire from his party's left wing over supposedly sacrificing progressive principles in order to secure short-term legislative victories. There is reportedly no love lost between Hart and his own nominal party leader, Aparna Johar. Johar initially refused to join a coalition including center-right parties out of a fear that the "Civic Republican League would lose its heart and soul in the name of compromise." She was overridden by the CRL's central committee, but has steadfastly refused to step down as leader and has indicated that she intends to stand for re-election at the party conference later this year. Johar has remained conspicuously silent on the performance of her deputy leader as Prime Minister, but has delivered a series of speeches to left-wing groups on such topics as single-payer healthcare, a universal basic income, and carbon taxes that have contained what many consider to be veiled attacks against Mr. Hart and his more conciliatory approach to governance. For his part, Mr. Hart has largely ignored Ms. Johar, and remains confident on his party's and the country's prospects.
There have been key points of contention between coalition members--most notably on immigration, tax reform, and abortion rights--but Hart offered nothing but praise for his center-right coalition partners, as well as President Scott and the Democratic Socialists--long-time CRL allies. "Everyone has done their bit in holding off the tide of extremism and monarchism. I hope our colleagues on the Right have noted just how instrumental the so-called 'commies' have been in building consensus. Perhaps it's time we move beyond slurs and generalizations."You can either work with others and get 50% of what you want, or try to bully your way through and achieve nothing. Of course I want a return to single-payer and welfare reform, of course I want a higher corporate tax rates, a chemical weapons ban, and any number of other things, but the fact of the matter is the voters wanted a coalition of the center and we owe it to the Rutanian people to come together. We could have remained in the opposition and just shouted from the sidelines, but I for one am I happy that we stepped up to govern. I'm confident that the voters will come around again on progressive policies--they elected a Socialist President, after all--but for now incrementalism is the way forward.
When asked if the CRL will abstain from fielding a presidential candidate the upcoming elections, perhaps as part of a deal to retain premiership in the event of a UDP, RP, or RCG presidency, Hart responded: "The CRL has always fielded a presidential candidate in the first round. We might throw our support behind another party in the second round, but we view it as our right and duty to put forth someone who exemplifies the Civic Republican values of fairness, compassion, and the good society. We owe the people that choice." When asked as a follow-up if he intends to run for the presidency, Hart demurred. "That's up to the party. If they decide to nominate me, I will stand. If they nominate my good friend Aparna Johar, I will support her wholeheartedly. But for now I am honored to serve the commonwealth in my current capacity."
