Pacitalia
04-08-2007, 10:15
From The Economist print and online editions, 4th-10th August, 2007
http://kfox.gamehorizons.net/economist.jpg
This is no time to be a wimp, signora
In another age Archetenia Nera might have been
one of the more remarkable, astringent, refreshing
changes in leadership for the troubled Pacitalian
conservatives. But her time at the head of the FPD
has, so far, meant nothing but indecision, uncertainty
and worry. It may or may not be time for her to go
TIMIOCATO
It has been eight months of slow, sheer unsteadiness for Archetenia Nera. The first woman to lead Pacitalia's so-called natural governing party, the Federation of Progressive Democrats (FPD), has shown a great deal of caution. She has done an admirable job of trying to make things right in the fractious, seething party, whilst trying to uphold her responsibilities as a partner in a grand coalition with the governing Pacitalian Social Coalition (PSC). But her actual, material accomplishments since becoming leader are indeed few and far between, and the mumblings and rumblings are already echoing down the corridors of power. There are many things Ms Nera could have done, and could still do, to save her job, but it appears unless she turns things around, she will either have to resign within the next six months, or resign at the next election should she not lead the Federation to victory.
Ms Nera's leadership has been fraught with a creeping distension and politically exemplary controversy; obviously, it is not a good start for a leader that already has to deal with the pressures of being the centre-right Federation's first — elected — female leader. And, in the future, those who look back on her tenure as the FPD's politician-in-chief will likely be looking at the apparent multitude of missed opportunities from this quiet leader, a leader too cautious to lead.
During the leadership campaign last November, Ms Nera could not stop talking about the need for collaboration within the FPD and between it and other parties, other extra-governmental organisations, and with the public. Her ideal, her goal, was to include as many people as she could in determining the course of action on domestic policy; her instinct was that this was the only way the Federation would regain credibility and popular support among the voters. Her party had just lost an election, embarrassingly enough, by one seat, to a resurgent force to its left, the Pacitalian Social Coalition, and all this despite winning the popular vote. Somehow, voters were mostly willing to cut the FPD some slack at the ballot box: overlook the disaster that was Constantino Sorantanali, and look at the achievements of the Federation in the 18 years that Dr Ell and Mr Santo Ragazzo were prime ministers.
But her time as leader has been no more collaborative than that of her predecessors, no more inclusive. Ms Nera, who promised biweekly caucus meetings with her MPPs, and bimonthly meetings with the heads of various Pacitalian lobby groups, in order to bring their issues to the parliament, has delivered on neither of those. She slammed the barb further into the flesh when she pulled out of a highly anticipated meeting with the head of Amnesty International on 29th May, leaving half her advisory team awkwardly out in the cold, and dropping a cordial, feel-good-look-good tête-a-tête with the chief of one of the world's most influential human rights groups, a group that formerly employed the senior deputy prime minister, Diego Zuna. Ms Nera had an opportunity to bring the FPD closer to the human rights movement at the expense of the kinder, gentler looking PSC, and particularly at the expense of Zuna. She dropped the ball — hard.
Quiet times call for quiet measures
Fernando Chiovitti's premiership, leading the first PSC government since 1985, has been about as long as Ms Nera's time in the leader's chair, and about as quiet. That can be chalked up to the fact that, as partners in an excruciatingly awkward grand coalition, the PSC and FPD have not had one single chance to spar in Pacitalia's lower parliamentary house, since before 19th July last year. Their partnership has forced the opposition role onto the Greens and Egalitarians, and while the Greens have experience in the position, being the opposition to Ell's FPD between 2004 and 2006, the Egalitarians are fresh out of the box and have no political clout. The avowedly non-committal, neutral, pacifist, pessimist Non Partisan Association (NPA) are no help to the opposition, their members purely concerned with matters in their own constituencies and unwilling to side with either the government or the opposition on any debatable subjects. Ms Nera would like to show her stripes as a viable opposition leader, but cannot because of the position she is in, the junior partner in a duo of leaders, aimlessly propping up the PSC (and, to her discredit, looking the part in parliamentary sessions). It is also a short-sighted goal for her, personally, considering the rest of her party thinks (naïvely) that it is ready to take the reins of power once more, after just nine months out of the picture. If an election were called today, she would very likely get her wish, to the chagrin of those in the Federation, and it is her uninspiring goal that has much of the party up in arms, scared witless that they have picked a second consecutive dud as their leader.
FPD blunders; PSC plunders
Ms Nera has also been charged with a lack of defensive aptitude when it comes to criticism of the party and of its supposedly outdated ways. The PSC, aware of its own precarious position and not yet confident enough to call an election to secure a majority (despite being nearly twenty points ahead in the polls), is taking full advantage of her unsteadiness, constantly, though subtly, digging away at the foundations beneath her and sucking up all the political capital and voter support that accompanies it.
First she alienated a wide swath of Pacitalian business interests by confiding in the media that she supported a capital gains tax and approved of higher commercial taxation on big corporations. Such creeds were markedly socialist, and horrifying. Ms Nera was burned accordingly for it in the right-leaning press, this publication included. As a result of this alienation, small business interests have been cosying up to the PSC government that, while led by a former member of the corporate echelon, is still fighting off elements of dirigisme economics within its folds.
Her second major foible is that she has been unable to defend the Federation against its scandal-ridden 2006, and embarrassed party stalwarts by declaring at her first National Party Conference in Rigunanta, in April, that "the new regime [had] infiltrated the party, pushing out the old farce" and appearing to show her disapproval of Messrs Santo Ragazzo and Ell. Needless to say, that did not go over well. So, if she is not careful, it is her self-titled New FPD movement that will end up the true farce.
Opportunity knocks
But all hope is not lost for the poor, weary Ms Nera. She faces revolt among her restless senior party members, who are tired of catering to the wishes of a PSC that has generously maintained a variety of cabinet spots for their coalition partners. In forming a cabinet that is split nearly sixty-forty in favour of the PSC, the social-liberals may have made the mistake of being too generous with the FPD in spite of their electoral advantages. But they are certainly not paying for it. It is high time the Federation made a game of what has been a quiet 2007 in Pacitalian politics, and there are plenty of opportunities for the timid FPD leader.
Ms Nera's prime issue simply seems to be confidence. She is still trying to determine her place in this party, but she needs to quicken her pace if she wishes to accomplish this. And she must set her boundaries and solidify her leadership at a faster rate than the steady erosion of her authority. Ms Nera, one insider says, is truly scared of what will happen to this party if she falls within a year of her election, the second straight elected leader, and, if you count Albinanda Serodini, third, to do so. She, indeed, like most of her party, feels helpless because she must prop up a fruitful, popular PSC government whilst knowing that the best situation for her party at the moment is sole possession of the opposition rapier. At least she is not like her predecessor, and in fact appears to retain selflessness and a sense of humility. She also has an eye trained on any possible humiliation, though to date, the eye appears to have been blinded. But Ms Nera doesn't have to make a personal sea change and become somebody different, more confident. She simply needs to get out there and make some noise, but use the caution she is known for to pick and choose the right battles, and the resultant experience should make her stronger.
Secondly, she must drop the collaborative tone she has tried so hard to maintain. Collaboration has only been beneficial in Timiocato if one wished to be a part of the workings of the Political and Electoral Reform Commission. But that agency used up all the warm fuzzies of working together, and the FPD is ready to fight again. Thus, it needs a leader who is going to provide not only a growing voice of consternation and cautious scepticism to the prime minister, but one who is going to represent the needs of a party who has, to its credit, constantly reminded the Pacitalian Social Coalition it can end this awkward "happy marriage" at any point and any time, regardless of the end result on election day. Ms Nera may not look it, but she is by far the best choice to provide that for a Federation that, from the outside, appears to be an eggshell replica of its former glorious self.
Thirdly, Ms Nera must stop making ridiculous promises and looking the fool when she cannot deliver, especially on economic issues. While Ms Nera's policy platforms are becoming increasingly stable and realistic, and true-blue Progressive Democrat, she has promised the moon to her party and to the business community, and the electorate and the economy itself are preventing any of these dreams from coming to fruition. She, and her economic advisors, must realise that the economy cannot grow any faster than it is right now. Politically, the party is out for blood, convinced it will get its glory, but it still needs a couple of years on the opposition benches to see the world from the other side, the other perspective. Ms Nera will not be any less of a leader for, as of 2007, being the first FPD head not to become prime minister at some point during his — or her — tenure. In fact, she may better mark her place in history by being an outstanding representative of the female political community for becoming the friendly, pragmatic thought alternative in the average Pacitalian voter's conscience.
Do your job and get behind her
Her party, meanwhile, should be gracious that it now has a leader that wants the party, not just her own political career, to succeed, and to be warmly embraced by the electorate once more. It has been too quick to try and roll Ms Nera up into a rug and throw her into the river, when it should be backing her (as is listed in their job descriptions). MPPs that have assumed cabinet roles in Mr Chiovitti's government should be better informing Ms Nera of the happenings in the halls of power, and backbenchers should be adding a voice of uneasiness in parliament. The FPD's role right now is to be the best friend of the PSC (even if it does not want to be). It can start by giving the bad advice straight-arrow and hard, like a good friend should, and continuing to remind Mr Chiovitti that they can pull the plug at any time, and are not frightened of the inevitable devastation at the polls. That recklessness, that brazenness, will carry over well with the people, who will see that the Federation has at least got its confidence back. After all, Pacitalians have shown they cannot stomach a party that does not show, at least during a campaign, an irritating cockiness. But they equally detest parties that make unrealistic campaign promises and cannot deliver. And they definitely don't want such a party to govern. With parliamentary elections scheduled for the fall, this is advice well heeded (we think).
If the party embraces confidence rather than self-entitlement, and does so sooner rather than later, they might find themselves in their desired place more quickly than they hoped. It is simply a question of whether they are ready, and whether their leader is ready too. By all accounts, Ms Nera is ready. She just needs to find her opening.
http://kfox.gamehorizons.net/economist.jpg
This is no time to be a wimp, signora
In another age Archetenia Nera might have been
one of the more remarkable, astringent, refreshing
changes in leadership for the troubled Pacitalian
conservatives. But her time at the head of the FPD
has, so far, meant nothing but indecision, uncertainty
and worry. It may or may not be time for her to go
TIMIOCATO
It has been eight months of slow, sheer unsteadiness for Archetenia Nera. The first woman to lead Pacitalia's so-called natural governing party, the Federation of Progressive Democrats (FPD), has shown a great deal of caution. She has done an admirable job of trying to make things right in the fractious, seething party, whilst trying to uphold her responsibilities as a partner in a grand coalition with the governing Pacitalian Social Coalition (PSC). But her actual, material accomplishments since becoming leader are indeed few and far between, and the mumblings and rumblings are already echoing down the corridors of power. There are many things Ms Nera could have done, and could still do, to save her job, but it appears unless she turns things around, she will either have to resign within the next six months, or resign at the next election should she not lead the Federation to victory.
Ms Nera's leadership has been fraught with a creeping distension and politically exemplary controversy; obviously, it is not a good start for a leader that already has to deal with the pressures of being the centre-right Federation's first — elected — female leader. And, in the future, those who look back on her tenure as the FPD's politician-in-chief will likely be looking at the apparent multitude of missed opportunities from this quiet leader, a leader too cautious to lead.
During the leadership campaign last November, Ms Nera could not stop talking about the need for collaboration within the FPD and between it and other parties, other extra-governmental organisations, and with the public. Her ideal, her goal, was to include as many people as she could in determining the course of action on domestic policy; her instinct was that this was the only way the Federation would regain credibility and popular support among the voters. Her party had just lost an election, embarrassingly enough, by one seat, to a resurgent force to its left, the Pacitalian Social Coalition, and all this despite winning the popular vote. Somehow, voters were mostly willing to cut the FPD some slack at the ballot box: overlook the disaster that was Constantino Sorantanali, and look at the achievements of the Federation in the 18 years that Dr Ell and Mr Santo Ragazzo were prime ministers.
But her time as leader has been no more collaborative than that of her predecessors, no more inclusive. Ms Nera, who promised biweekly caucus meetings with her MPPs, and bimonthly meetings with the heads of various Pacitalian lobby groups, in order to bring their issues to the parliament, has delivered on neither of those. She slammed the barb further into the flesh when she pulled out of a highly anticipated meeting with the head of Amnesty International on 29th May, leaving half her advisory team awkwardly out in the cold, and dropping a cordial, feel-good-look-good tête-a-tête with the chief of one of the world's most influential human rights groups, a group that formerly employed the senior deputy prime minister, Diego Zuna. Ms Nera had an opportunity to bring the FPD closer to the human rights movement at the expense of the kinder, gentler looking PSC, and particularly at the expense of Zuna. She dropped the ball — hard.
Quiet times call for quiet measures
Fernando Chiovitti's premiership, leading the first PSC government since 1985, has been about as long as Ms Nera's time in the leader's chair, and about as quiet. That can be chalked up to the fact that, as partners in an excruciatingly awkward grand coalition, the PSC and FPD have not had one single chance to spar in Pacitalia's lower parliamentary house, since before 19th July last year. Their partnership has forced the opposition role onto the Greens and Egalitarians, and while the Greens have experience in the position, being the opposition to Ell's FPD between 2004 and 2006, the Egalitarians are fresh out of the box and have no political clout. The avowedly non-committal, neutral, pacifist, pessimist Non Partisan Association (NPA) are no help to the opposition, their members purely concerned with matters in their own constituencies and unwilling to side with either the government or the opposition on any debatable subjects. Ms Nera would like to show her stripes as a viable opposition leader, but cannot because of the position she is in, the junior partner in a duo of leaders, aimlessly propping up the PSC (and, to her discredit, looking the part in parliamentary sessions). It is also a short-sighted goal for her, personally, considering the rest of her party thinks (naïvely) that it is ready to take the reins of power once more, after just nine months out of the picture. If an election were called today, she would very likely get her wish, to the chagrin of those in the Federation, and it is her uninspiring goal that has much of the party up in arms, scared witless that they have picked a second consecutive dud as their leader.
FPD blunders; PSC plunders
Ms Nera has also been charged with a lack of defensive aptitude when it comes to criticism of the party and of its supposedly outdated ways. The PSC, aware of its own precarious position and not yet confident enough to call an election to secure a majority (despite being nearly twenty points ahead in the polls), is taking full advantage of her unsteadiness, constantly, though subtly, digging away at the foundations beneath her and sucking up all the political capital and voter support that accompanies it.
First she alienated a wide swath of Pacitalian business interests by confiding in the media that she supported a capital gains tax and approved of higher commercial taxation on big corporations. Such creeds were markedly socialist, and horrifying. Ms Nera was burned accordingly for it in the right-leaning press, this publication included. As a result of this alienation, small business interests have been cosying up to the PSC government that, while led by a former member of the corporate echelon, is still fighting off elements of dirigisme economics within its folds.
Her second major foible is that she has been unable to defend the Federation against its scandal-ridden 2006, and embarrassed party stalwarts by declaring at her first National Party Conference in Rigunanta, in April, that "the new regime [had] infiltrated the party, pushing out the old farce" and appearing to show her disapproval of Messrs Santo Ragazzo and Ell. Needless to say, that did not go over well. So, if she is not careful, it is her self-titled New FPD movement that will end up the true farce.
Opportunity knocks
But all hope is not lost for the poor, weary Ms Nera. She faces revolt among her restless senior party members, who are tired of catering to the wishes of a PSC that has generously maintained a variety of cabinet spots for their coalition partners. In forming a cabinet that is split nearly sixty-forty in favour of the PSC, the social-liberals may have made the mistake of being too generous with the FPD in spite of their electoral advantages. But they are certainly not paying for it. It is high time the Federation made a game of what has been a quiet 2007 in Pacitalian politics, and there are plenty of opportunities for the timid FPD leader.
Ms Nera's prime issue simply seems to be confidence. She is still trying to determine her place in this party, but she needs to quicken her pace if she wishes to accomplish this. And she must set her boundaries and solidify her leadership at a faster rate than the steady erosion of her authority. Ms Nera, one insider says, is truly scared of what will happen to this party if she falls within a year of her election, the second straight elected leader, and, if you count Albinanda Serodini, third, to do so. She, indeed, like most of her party, feels helpless because she must prop up a fruitful, popular PSC government whilst knowing that the best situation for her party at the moment is sole possession of the opposition rapier. At least she is not like her predecessor, and in fact appears to retain selflessness and a sense of humility. She also has an eye trained on any possible humiliation, though to date, the eye appears to have been blinded. But Ms Nera doesn't have to make a personal sea change and become somebody different, more confident. She simply needs to get out there and make some noise, but use the caution she is known for to pick and choose the right battles, and the resultant experience should make her stronger.
Secondly, she must drop the collaborative tone she has tried so hard to maintain. Collaboration has only been beneficial in Timiocato if one wished to be a part of the workings of the Political and Electoral Reform Commission. But that agency used up all the warm fuzzies of working together, and the FPD is ready to fight again. Thus, it needs a leader who is going to provide not only a growing voice of consternation and cautious scepticism to the prime minister, but one who is going to represent the needs of a party who has, to its credit, constantly reminded the Pacitalian Social Coalition it can end this awkward "happy marriage" at any point and any time, regardless of the end result on election day. Ms Nera may not look it, but she is by far the best choice to provide that for a Federation that, from the outside, appears to be an eggshell replica of its former glorious self.
Thirdly, Ms Nera must stop making ridiculous promises and looking the fool when she cannot deliver, especially on economic issues. While Ms Nera's policy platforms are becoming increasingly stable and realistic, and true-blue Progressive Democrat, she has promised the moon to her party and to the business community, and the electorate and the economy itself are preventing any of these dreams from coming to fruition. She, and her economic advisors, must realise that the economy cannot grow any faster than it is right now. Politically, the party is out for blood, convinced it will get its glory, but it still needs a couple of years on the opposition benches to see the world from the other side, the other perspective. Ms Nera will not be any less of a leader for, as of 2007, being the first FPD head not to become prime minister at some point during his — or her — tenure. In fact, she may better mark her place in history by being an outstanding representative of the female political community for becoming the friendly, pragmatic thought alternative in the average Pacitalian voter's conscience.
Do your job and get behind her
Her party, meanwhile, should be gracious that it now has a leader that wants the party, not just her own political career, to succeed, and to be warmly embraced by the electorate once more. It has been too quick to try and roll Ms Nera up into a rug and throw her into the river, when it should be backing her (as is listed in their job descriptions). MPPs that have assumed cabinet roles in Mr Chiovitti's government should be better informing Ms Nera of the happenings in the halls of power, and backbenchers should be adding a voice of uneasiness in parliament. The FPD's role right now is to be the best friend of the PSC (even if it does not want to be). It can start by giving the bad advice straight-arrow and hard, like a good friend should, and continuing to remind Mr Chiovitti that they can pull the plug at any time, and are not frightened of the inevitable devastation at the polls. That recklessness, that brazenness, will carry over well with the people, who will see that the Federation has at least got its confidence back. After all, Pacitalians have shown they cannot stomach a party that does not show, at least during a campaign, an irritating cockiness. But they equally detest parties that make unrealistic campaign promises and cannot deliver. And they definitely don't want such a party to govern. With parliamentary elections scheduled for the fall, this is advice well heeded (we think).
If the party embraces confidence rather than self-entitlement, and does so sooner rather than later, they might find themselves in their desired place more quickly than they hoped. It is simply a question of whether they are ready, and whether their leader is ready too. By all accounts, Ms Nera is ready. She just needs to find her opening.