[ZRT CONVENTION SPEECH] C. Carlüs Xheraltescu

[Óïn Ursüm]

The Chair gives the floor to duly elected Leader Carlüs Xheraltescu to address the Convention.

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

Esteemed colleagues, comrades, brothers and sisters, it is with great pleasure that I come before you today to address this Convention one last time. I’m certain all of you have seen the results of the ZRT Election by now, if not, then I should probably give a spoiler alert – because I’m about to ruin the plot for you.

Firstly, please allow me to thank the Benitian people and authorities for consenting to this ground-breaking new initiative of public internal-party discourse. Already it seems as though other parties may follow suit in adopting conventions of their own, and I would encourage them to go where provinces will benefit the most from their presence. It may be debatable as to whether Benito will benefit from our being here, but one thing certainly seems apparent: the winds of change can be heard blowing through Benito, as indeed they can be heard blowing through the entirety of Talossa. The ZRT is here, not to fight the change, but to guide it.

I’m tremendously proud to be able to say that I continue to lead a party of reform. Ardent proponents of change where change is required, I have no doubt that we’ll continue to fight the good fight, continue to fight for our provinces, for the Talossan nation and state, and for repúblicanismeu. There’s so much we can do to change this country for the better, so let us not squander the opportunity we have to do so now, and let us never give up on seeking newer and more numerous opportunities to which we can affect change where it is needed.

Next, I would like to congratulate the successful candidates: Moritz Fernaodescu on becoming the ZRT’s next General Secretary (you have large boots to fill, Moritz! Heh!), and Miestrâ Schivâ, E. D. Ursüm and Sarac'h Txilvertescu on their election to the newly formed Central Committee of the ZRT. I’d also like to thank the party for its unanimous support in my continuing leadership of the ZRT, although I might not be saying that in a few months’ time when election season starts kicking off. Commiserations to the unsuccessful candidates as well; don’t lose steam over this, because all of our candidates are decent, hard-working folk and I can, with confidence say that no matter who was elected to the CC, we would have had a strong executive regardless – you guys rock!

I don’t suppose Moritz is the only one taking on a role in which one’s predecessor has set the bar fairly high either. With all honesty, as I said in my previous speech to the Convention, Miestrâ Schivâ has performed incredibly well as our Party Leader and is doubtlessly one of the more significant reasons why the ZRT performed with such a degree of relative electorally unprecedented success. As such, I have something of a monumental task ahead of me, for not only do I need to maintain our current position in the Cosa, but I must also maintain the trajectory at which repúblicanismeu has been travelling in the last year. But of course, such a task is beyond me if I am without the support of the party at a grassroots level and at the executive level. To that effect, I am glad that the party has elected a General Secretary who I believe is more than capable of providing adequate administrative assistance and relief, not to mention all the fine members of the Central Committee who I’m sure won’t let me shoulder too much of the burden of leadership. Regardless, I’m sure it is obvious (I hope) to most of you that I’m not Miestrâ Schivâ. That is to say that my style of leadership is very different to hers, which is what made me such, in my opinion, an organised General Secretary. I’m far quieter and to an extent calmer than my predecessor, and it’ll be interesting to see what the effect of that will be on the party’s performance during my time as its leader. Despite that, I hope in time, what made me an organised General Secretary will also make me an effective leader – though I’m certain I’ll find out the answer to that the next time we hold our Convention.

Party leadership aside, that doesn’t mean these standard members of ours are any less important. Neither are they any less fundamental to any future successes and victories for us to bask in. What the ZRT needs is an active membership of people willing to throw a few minutes of their time in to helping us with writing a bill to present to the Ziu, agitating for democratic or republican reforms at a provincial level, or even engaging in public debate. Seriously guys, any time you can spare and anything you can contribute is not only appreciated by the party, not only appreciated by me personally, but also all all supporters of repúblicanismeu. You’ve seen the platform, the constitution and the manifesto of the party; notice the emphasis this time ‘round on party members agitating on a provincial level for reform. Revolution must come from the very foundations of Talossan society; it must start at the bottom and work its way up, spreading like a fire of liberation to provide for Talossa the democratic freedom that it deserves. We should be pushing for reform centrally as well, as we have been doing since entering the Cosa. However, we should be looking to reform and change the smaller issues which plague the democratic quality of Talossa as well as being the ushers of grand reform.

We shouldn’t be afraid to engage with the people we agree with either; joint initiatives between parties we consider allied to us in efforts to democratize or increase accountability in institutions, or to secure civil liberties regarding electoral reform, or indeed structural reform. In the past few weeks (though unfortunately interrupted by that time of year when everyone celebrates stuff in December) we’ve been working with the MRPT on a project to secure the democratic quality of the electorate’s vote – mandatory party lists. I’m reluctant to speak confidently about the chances of our success in pushing this reform through the Ziu, but the least we can do is try. Hopefully, the debate which will likely follow the Hoppering of that reform will enlighten opponents to the proposal. If not, we should not lose heart and neither should we give up. Giving up simply isn’t an option for us.

I would also like to join members of the Convention and of the ZRT in condemning the actions of the Chancery in acting beyond its brief through removing the citizenship of both Andy Lowry and of Judah Benjamin. Convention, we should be mindful of due process and the importance thereof when it comes to following it. Moreover, we should be prepared to defend our citizens publicly when it comes to an abuse of power such as this. Whilst I’m certain the actions taken by the Chancery were not of malicious intent, it is in everyone’s interest not only change the nature of the Oath of Citizenship and deal with the immediate problem, but also to remove the position of Secretary of State from any possible scrutiny with renewed vigour, to further “apoliticize” the Chancery.

Let us dare something worthy, and provide for Talossa a force for democratic change, accountability and progression. Let us provide a party able to provide leadership in opposition, and a force able to co-operate with those we call allies; let us be the voice of Talossa’s future. So here’s to us; to the Talossan state, and to the Republic that will be!

[Colonel Mximo Carbonèl]

BRAVO! BRAVO!

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

¡Så vivadra el duceu zefençistà!

STANDING O! STANDING O!

[Moritz Fernaodescu]

Very well, very well. A great speech, but of course, I didn't expect anything less from our leader.
I am sure Talossa will face a new and promising golden era of change, progression, accountability and of course brotherhood.

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

I think it might be time for us to leave this wonderful province alone now. I'd like to extend my gratitude towards Benito once more for their hospitality in the last few days. Ta very much, and good bye!

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

I would expect the Chair to formally declare the Convention closed.

[Gödafrïeu Válcadác’h]

Well-spoken, sir!