Aldurian News Times Gets Up Close and Personal With former Président BaptisteMarch 4059Above: Marco Baptiste, former President of AlduriaAlthough he is definitely a controversual figure in recent Aldurian and Seleyan history, he still stood above many of his colleagues and opponents in his ability to work across aisles and foster a strong spirit of Aldurian pride and duty to the nation. He started as a business man, and he got into politics when he started the Youth Alliance (now the Republican Alliance). He was elected President in 4053, and was ousted by a coalition of the center and the left in an election which his party asserts was a highway robbery to this day. Below is our interview:
ALDURIAN NEWS TIMES: President Baptiste, while you were in office, you lead a highly pragmatic administration. What made you able to work so well with others?
MARCO BAPTISTE: I think, it was my ability to get to the root of the problem, I've always been a great believer in telling it like it is, people respect that, and at the end of the day, people like working with someone like that.
ALDURIAN NEWS TIMES: What do you think of your Party's current leading figure, President Gerád?
MARCO BAPTISTE: I've always had tremendous respect for Mr. Gerád, in many ways he and I are very similar. We've always gotten along, I would consider him a very loyal friend, he is a very loyal person, he has shown that, and he will be very loyal to our cause, and to the people of Aldurie.
ALDURIAN NEWS TIMES: You've worked across party lines. What was your experience like working with Premier Minister Helöise Descolinnes?
MARCO BAPTISTE: Well Mrs. Descolinnes and I did butt heads on many issues, I'm not going to lie. You can expect that, we do have very differing opinions, and approaches, politically, and maybe in life in general, but when all said and done, I do believe she is a nice person, however I don't see her as a leader, I think that the democrat party would certainly be better off choosing someone with a little more energy to lead their government. I found that working with her, she can be a little lack lustre.
ALDURIAN NEWS TIMES:What do you think will be the biggest issue facing Alduria in the 4060's?
MARCO BAPTISTE: I think our biggest problem would probably be a majority shift to the far left. I've noticed this pattern in many affluent nations, they turn to the right to fix the problems, as soon as the problems are fixed and everything is running smoothly, they turn to the far left, who generally mess things up, this is a very common trait among the young people, who may have a warped idea of what equality is. So I do worry that the people may elect the progressive royals, who will undo all of the hard work that my administration and President Gerád's administration have done.
ALDURIAN NEWS TIMES: Your opinion of the proposed "Maliv People's Month"?
MARCO BAPTISTE:I do have tremendous respect for the Maliv People, so I do like the idea of a Maliv people's month, however I think we need to help the Maliv People in other ways, I think we could do more to help them with education and employment.
ALDURIAN NEWS TIMES: Your opinion of Parti Libéral?
MARCO BAPTISTE: The liberal party, I feel can be very underhanded, I think they have a very hard time of relinquishing power, they probably need to rebuild their party, they have lost a huge amount of support, so I do feel they need to have less involvement in the cabinet, and really try and rebuild themselves again. I do like the fact that they are willing to work with other parties on many issues, and intellectually debate the issues.
ALDURIAN NEWS TIMES: Your opinion of Démocrates de Gauche
MARCO BAPTISTE: Well the Democrats are obviously left wing, so there are fundamental issues we disagree upon. I wouldn't consider them far left wing, I think they are a party who can be, and are willing to be reasonable, which is good. I do feel that many of their policies, especially on immigration, are based on emotion rather than facts, however they have presented some policies and legislation that we agree with, so I don't think they're entirely bad, I just think they need to mature, and see the bigger picture
ALDURIAN NEWS TIMES: What do you think of Progressistes Royalisté?
MARCO BAPTISTE: I'm going to give it to you straight, the progressive royals are absolutely totally horrible. They undermine democracy in this nation, and really, they are completely stupid, they oppose issues just to be contrary, and they want to have a monarchy. I'm not sure what century they're from, but it certainly is not this one. I remember when I first got into politics, I called them the baby party, it was a little controversial, but that's exactly what they are
ALDURIAN NEWS TIMES: If you could say one thing to your self 3 years ago, what would it be?
MARCO BAPTISTE: I would probably say be careful, I think maybe I was a little too trusting of the Liberal Party, we had a coalition with them, they did stab me in the back, but in saying all that, I wouldn't change anything about my time in office, when I was running for President, people said I was too outspoken, maybe a little too controversial, but at the end of the day I achieved what I wanted as president, we delivered on promises, and I worked with, and met some amazing people. I feel have done my duty to this great nation.