Prime Minister’s Questions

Prime Minister’s Questions were established following the unanimous passing of Prime Minister Saber's Parliamentary Questions Act. The following page records the exchanges between the Prime Minister and members of the National Assembly.

Questions from the Leader of the Opposition - Theodor Mann
Q: Our economy is heavily dependent on exports from Europe and other countries. How will the Minister of Trade & Industry and the Prime Minister ensure that both our economic growth increases and that workers are paid fairly for their work?

A: The Minister of Trade & Industry and I alongside other ministers responsible for economic growth are together working on projects that will protect workers rights but also foster business competition. Our budget will outline a new minimum wage, and we are focusing on projects to balance relations with workers and businesses.

Q: Despite both the Liberals and V+P being very supportive of the European Union, many cabinet ministers have favored leaving the EU, even the Second Deputy Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister promise not to hold a referendum on the status of our membership of the European Union until after the next election?

A: I cannot promise to not hold a referendum but I will promise that if there is a referendum it will be non-binding.

Q: The Zoning Reform Bill stated that cities that enacted rent control would have all grants cut by 25% before it was amended, which, by the way, the Prime Minister voted against. May the Prime Minister explain why this cut would have been warranted and proportional, and what the government is doing to assist tenants who might be struggling with paying rent?

A: The reason why I voted against the amendment was simply because I agreed with the Minister of Finance’s claims during discussion, but I accepted the amendments and I voted in favour of the bill. And the intent of zoning reform act was to lower the prices and rent of housing by removing barriers to development. On the note of assisting tenants I believe our Housing Reform Act has already made a contribution to improve the lives of tenants. And when we need to do more we will do more.

Questions from Members of the National Assembly
Q: Mr Prime Minister, when might the people of Doggerland expect a budget to be released by the Government?

A: The Minister of Finance is hard at work to draft the budget and is in constant discussion with other members of the cabinet to present a refined and robust budget. Simply put expect a budget very soon.

Q: In light of the information against the First Deputy Prime Minister and fraud allegations in the IDP as a whole, how will the Prime Minister and the Justice Minister make sure the process is executed in transparency despite evident conflict of interest?

A: The Attorney General has already conducted an independent investigation into beady’s actions with the Minister of Justice and I neither imposing any untransparent or controversial demands towards Enrico. This report was also conducted before the IDP engaged in any alliances.

Q: Mr. Prime Minister, what progress have you made so far with vaccinations in Doggerland, and what are you doing to make sure every citizen can get a Covid-19 vaccine when they want to.

A: Well it seems thanks to our great Minister of Health and overall good progress more than 40% of our country’s population has been vaccinated and I can only expect this percentage to increase over time. To ensure everyone can get a vaccine we’ll be maintaining our current rate and open more sites to more rural areas.

Q: Mr prime minister, as the world ramps down its COVID restrictions in light of the increasing vaccinations and decreasing deaths, what measures are you taking to do the same and give the people back their agency and personal Liberty?

A: Well as I shall say again our Minister of Health has announced the relaxation of certain measures such as being able to go to gyms, bars, restaurants and barbers, and continue going to work and school. Restrictions such as ensuring citizens wear masks, socially distance, and stay in small groups will have to remain until we achieve herd immunity just like every other nation in the world. But the worst IS over in that we no longer have to endure a lockdown.

Q: Mr. Prime Minister, given the announcement of your excellent polling numbers at the moment—congratulations on those, by the way—where do you see this government going in the future now that your approval so far is already so high?

A: Well I am glad about the high approval rating and I hope that this approval continues as we look forward with a strong stable government that isn’t afraid to make tough decisions no matter what anyone else says. I simply envision a government that sacrifices itself so that its citizens don’t have to sacrifice anything for our sake.

Q: The Prime Minister has said he's in favour of co operation between parties in opposition and in government. How will he justify him not supporting any opposition amendments besides 2 since taking office and voting against a majority of the others even when they earned the backing of some government members?

A: I'd like to remind the honourable member that simply because I favour increased cooperation it does not mean I can go out of my way to support amendments which I don't believe in. I'm fully open to discussion on a variety of topics and bills but if I don't support them I cannot change that, that is not to say I don't respect efforts from the opposition, but there are more ways than one to just vote for an opposition's bill to indicate cooperation.

Questions from the Leader of the Opposition - Saber Pardón
Q: The Prime Minister and his cabinet has openly shown off a spur of activity and commitment. And so what specific plans does the government have to fulfill such commitments.

A: As I have said before, this government has been active with legislation and announcements, and we will continue to be so.

Q: When I incorporated the IDP into government I received heavy criticism for associating with the far-right, however, the current government is cooperating with the far-left Communist Party. How can the PM guarantee that the government's policy won't be overtaken by compromises to the far-left in radical fashion?

A: I think these situations are both very different. In the Leader of the Opposition’s case, the IDP was put into a formal coalition, and Beadette was given the position of Deputy Prime Minister. However, the Communist Party is not in a formal coalition with us and therefore cannot influence our policies.

Q: The Prime Minister stood by the extremely high taxation that the previous Forward! government had passed with their budget. How will this government ensure that people middle or upper class will not leave this country caused by the lack of incentive to earn higher wages?

A: I can assure that the middle class and ordinary people will not experience tax hikes. I stand for limiting taxation, but I want to tell the Leader of the Opposition that less taxation comes with the risk of less revenue, and therefore less investment in our communities.

Q: Following on from the previous question, how will the government ensure that every good and service for our citizens remain affordable for everyone?

A: This government will prioritize the needs of the people, and I can assure that we will make sure everyone in Doggerland will be able to afford basic living costs no matter their income.

Q: Healthcare, and transportation still remains fully nationalised under government control since the SRB, however, there have been no bills since to improve the systems or make it more comprehensive. Will the PM's cabinet make such bills to do so?

A: I can guarantee you that we will write bills designed to improve the quality of transportation and healthcare in Doggerland.

Q: The COVID situation in the country has been drastically improving especially since the previous health minister Vans' efforts, but there hasn't been an update on the situation just yet. When can we expect a health update and will restrictions ease any time soon?

A: Restrictions will remain for as long as needed to save lives. The situation regarding COVID is improving and our government will double our efforts to supress it even faster. You can expect an update in the near future.

Q: What are the government's plans for upcoming bills which were submitted during the previous government?

A: All I can say is that the government will respect parliamentary procedure.

Questions from Members of the National Assembly
Q: In the first week of Saber's premiership, the government was very active both in announcements and on legislation. The current government has only had a few announcements and only a small amount of legislation. Are we supposed to take it to mean that the government has no plans for dealing with the issues this country faces?

A: Now, with all due respect, this government is by no means inactive. We have only been in government for a week, and I am proud to stand behind a cabinet that has submitted 4 bills in 7 days. Furthermore, there has been no shortage of announcements within the government, unlike the opposition.

Q: Mr. Prime Minister, in the past, and certainly in the Pardón premiership, the entirety of the cabinet took on more roles than previously anticipated. For example, before the Pardón premiership, the only cabinet position that truly mattered was the Home Secretary. Now, however, it seems that the entirety of the cabinet has been unwilling to be so active. So I must ask, why has the Prime Minister and their government chosen such incompetent ministers?

A: Again, the government has been very active. Many announcements have been made, and many bills have been submitted. I certainly don't see how the ministers of the Pardón government have been more active and competent than our own.

Q: How will this new government take care of the increase in organized crime and terrorism that our nation has seen over the last year?

A: Just as I did as Interior Minister, I am taking the organized crime and terrorism threat very seriously, and we will continue the work that previous governments have done to make sure that qualified figures are leading our institutions and cracking down on illegal activity where it hides, while respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Q: Considering the slow process in the national assembly it has become apparent that the government won’t be able to focus on everything it wants. Can the Prime Minister share what his government will prioritise most?

A: Our government is currently working on the budget, and will propose it as soon as it is finished and agreed upon. After that, we will focus on eliminating economic inequality and protecting Doggerland's most vulnerable.

Q: A follow up to the previous question. What legislation does the Prime Minister want to see passed most and for what policies will he fight the hardest to see implemented during this term?

A: I would like to see improvements to healthcare, education, and housing, and I will make sure that bills relating to these get passed.