North American Republics for Speaker of the Union

[North American Republics]

========== NORTH AMERICAN REPUBLICS FOR SPEAKER ==========
Hello there, fellow SLUans. As you may very well be aware of now, I am in the running for Speaker of the Union alongside the other well-qualified candidates: Free Newdepolderian States and Zunkwentania. But I am here now calling for your vote on the 26th of July.

• As a long-time member of the region, I am well-versed in the evolution of the Open Parliament and the inner-workings of government. While in the administration as Speaker of the Union, I reorganized the Open Parliament into a more inviting place for newcomers and had the member states' interest constantly in mind when voicing an opinion.
  
• I also maintained a culture of acceptance, openness, and transparency while in office through several threads on the forum and aim to maintain that culture if elected. Keeping an ear out for questions, comments, or complaints is a very important part of position and I can fulfill that expectation.

With that, I would like to hear from others in the region. No question is too silly to be asked, so fire away!

[Avaerilon]

Great to see you going to the job again :)

Firstly, how would you go-about making the forum a more interesting place for new and existing members?

Secondly, how do you see the relationship between the Speaker and the various ministries, in-particular DA, if you were to be elected?

[North American Republics]

Thank you for the questions!

To the first question: the forum is only as interesting as the content it contains. We've seen an influx of participation around common interests (like Minecraft) and forum games remain a catch-all. I believe, however, that this is a role better suited for the Minister of Domestic Affairs and not the Speaker of the Union, which leads into the next question...

The office of Speaker of the Union is one meant to exhibit the founding principles of the region; an office meant as a member state equivalent of Founder and one for ensuring a well-functioning Open Parliament. They should thus not meddle (and legally cannot meddle) with the affairs of other ministries. However, Speakers of the Union can participate in the whatever affairs ministers allow them to -- being a recruiter, an ambassador, a welcomer, etc. In relation to the Ministry of Domestic Affairs, this remains true and a Speaker must work closely with the minister as they should with all other ministers should the need arise.