Robert Lethler
From MicroWiki
Comrade General (retired) Robert Lethler is the current General Secretary of the Erusian National Communist Party and former Supreme People's Commissioner of the Democratic People's Republic of Erusia. A former Bzanite military officer, Lethler served as the first Premier of the Union of Socialist Micronational Republics from February 7th to March 30th 2009 and was a member of the National People's Assembly of Erusia from the day of the nation's founding until his retirement on May 16th 2009. The only Erusian Communist politician to have served on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Central Committees of the Communist Party, he is best known intermicronationally as the second (and first European) Chairman of the Grand Unified Micronational and for his work as the Erusian representative to that institution. On June 25th 2009, Lethler publically endorsed Jamie Sutherland for the office of Chairman after the election, refusing to stand for a second term.
Having served as the prime leader for Erusia since her foundation, Lethler has proven to be an immensley popular figure among some and an incredibly controversial one among others. His administration has been noted for it's great progress in promoting social justice and Human equality, an emphasis on collective leaership and the creation of a strong international image for the Erusian state. On the other hand, he has been criticised for his intolerance to political opposition within Erusia, most notably for his attempts to supress both the liberal elements of the Communist Party and the democracy movement outside of it. He is perhaps one of the most influential leaders in the MicroWiki Community, though opinion one whether his influences are negative or positive is a matter of some dispute. In recent times Erusian state media has given him the nick-name the Iron Commissioner and within the ruling Communist Party he is credited with the expansion of micronational Socialism among the MicroWiki States. He is also a citizen of the Democratic Duchy of Francisville.
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Biography
Pre-micronational life
Robert Lethler was born in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the city of Liverpool. The oldest child in his family, he has a younger sister Elizabeth and a younger brother Patrick. Born into a working class family, his spent much of his childhood in relative poverty and his family's financial situation did not stabilise until his early teens. Both of his parents were strong Labour Party supporters and raised him to be a staunch opponent of the centre-right Conservative and Unionist Party.
Bzan
Lethler's micronational career began as a citizen of the Democratic People's Republic of Bzan, joining the nation almost immediately after it's independance from the Kingdom of Licentia. When he was recruited to Bzan by it's founder Peter Gaffney the State was concerned about the possibility of Licentian retaliation to their attempt to earn independance. After providing a report on possible threats from Licentia to the People's Party of Licentia, Gaffney decided to place him incharge of the defence of Bzan. He was given the position of Controller of Bzan Special Directorate, a military organisation established to defend the nation, and given the rank of Comrade General. All though Lethler effectively organised Bzan to defend against Licentia and was instrumental in cementing their international position, Special Directorate's services were never required.
After the Bzan Independance Crisis Lethler remained Controller of Special Directorate and retained his commission as a Comrade General in Bzan's Self Defence Force. Though not actively involved in politics, Lethler joined the People's Socialist Party and became Gaffney's chief advisor on foreign affairs. When the leadership of Bzan experienced a fatal breakdown in communication that resulted in a factional divided between Gaffney and G Rennie, Lethler provided his support to Gaffney and attempted to resolve the crisis. Lethler's efforts were met by failure and Gaffney inevitably dissolved Bzan, creating an international community of former citizens which Lethler joined.
June Revolution
When the June Revolution began in Licentia, Lethler was ordered by Gaffney to assist Karolina Wilson in organising the revolutionary forces to solidify their position after the revolution. Lethler obeyed this order and was instrumental in the forming of the Republican Guard and solidifying of Socialist power over the Royalists. After he had completed his mission Lethler wrote a Work Report to the International Community of Bzanites. To the surprise of Gaffney and Rennie, the report heavily criticised the revolution in Licentia and openly condemning Michelle Yui and Wilson. He denounced the two revolutionaries as "false advocates of Rennie-Gaffneyism" and described them as "[...] meglomaniac Leninist Conservatives".
Political Rise and New Licentia
Following his involvement in the June Revolution Lethler began to take an active interest in micronational politics. When talks for the creation of the United Royal Kingdom of Licentia and Bzan were announced by the International Community of Bzanites, Gaffney and Rennie selected Lethler to represent their interests in these talks. He proved himself to be an effective negotiator during the discussions, willing to represent the interests of the Bzanite people without compromising in favour of the Royalists. When an agreement was reached to form the United Royal Kingdom Lethler, who had also established himself to be a fierce Bzanite patriot and advocate of Rennie-Gaffneyism, the Community agreed that Lethler should become Prime Minister.
Immediately after becoming Prime Minister of Licentia, Robert Lethler set about undoing the very agreement that had created the United Royal Kingdom and worked towards the creation of a Socialist Republic in it's place. Merely days into his Premiership, Lethler met with representatives of the Royal Household an announced that the Bzanite Community intended to dissolve the Crown and create a fundamentally Socialist society in it's place. All though initially outraged, the Crown found itself outnumbered by the Socialists and was forced to acknowledge Lethler's wishes. On November 9th 2008 Lethler secured an agreement that dissolved the United Royal Kingdom and created the Democratic People's Republic of Erusia in it's place.
Leader of Erusia
On November 9th 2008 the People's Party of Licentia became the Communist Party of Erusia, asserting itself as a direct descendant of the former Licentian Party yet also claiming independance. The following day Lethler was elected as General Secretary of the Communist Party alongside the 1st Central Committee, making him the first Supreme People's Commissioner and subsequent leader of the Erusian state. Upon being appointed Lethler made it his priority to drastically reorganise the political system of the new Republic, abandoning both the United Royal Kingdom's systems and the Socialist Republic of Licentia's. Instead, Lethler established a system that was almost indentical to the system operated in Bzan.
On November 12th 2008 Lethler appointed his first Premier, Carwyn Jenkins, to office. Since his appointment, Jenkins has worked closely with Lethler in furthering the cause of Erusian Socialism and building a fundamentally Socialist state. From late November to early December Lethler has divided his attention between building an international profile for Erusia and developing Erusia internally. At the end of November he declared that he would end his first term early and hold a General Election in December. On the last day of his term Lethler became involved in urging the Kingdom of Camuria to reform, addressing a letter to the Camurian government demanding that the Camurian Crown reform the State to a more secular society.
Lethler was re-elected to office with a resounding 50.00% of the popular vote, assuming office on December 18th 2008 following the twenty-four hour Ad Interim period the election called for. His first official action as the newly re-elected Head of State was to relieve Carwyn Jenkins from his position as Chairperson of the Central People's Bank, giving the position to Colum McKenna on a temporary basis. Two days later Lethler unilaterally announced the establishment of the People's Central Revolutionary Committee, an independant multi-party organisation charged with orchestrating Erusia's transition from an internet micronation to a territorial one. On December 21st Lethler came under heavy fire from the People's Democratic Front when it was announced that his Party intended to pass an Anti-Zionist Trade Act once the PCRC had completed it's study into claiming physical territory. The act would forbid products produced in the State of Israel to be carried by Citizens of Erusia on Erusian soil, with any offenders having such items confiscated and subsequently destroyed by the Erusian authorities. This law was never proposed but did come into effect as part of a later legislative package.
Politics
Lethler has established himself as a strong conservative figure with Rennie-Gaffneyist circles, advocating the ideology as the next level of evolution in the Great Socialist Experiment and firmly believing it is a valid Socialist school of thought for both micro- and macronational institutions to follow. He has also established himself as a strong opponent of Michelle Yui and her reforms to Rennie-Gaffneyism, arguing that they take the ideology back to early twentieth century authoritarian politics rather than twenty-first century democratic ones. Additionally, Lethler has attracted some controvery for his anti-Trotskyist politics, asserting that "[Leon Trotsky is] a false leader and traitor". Lethler also refuses to condemn Stalinism, arguing that it is a valid extension of Marxist thought, albeit not one he personally favours.
One-Party Advocacy
All though he willingly established the multi-party system used in Erusia originally, Lethler had explicitly stated that he felt a one-party system operating in a similar democratic fashion as the current system is a more logical choice for Erusia. During the 2nd Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Erusia Lethler explicitly stated that a one-party system may be adopted if sufficient opposing partisans could not be found. His advocacy for a one-party State found significant support during the political crisis that followed the December 2008 Erusian Executive Election, culminating in the implementation of the Erusian Proletarian Protection Act in January 2009 that effectively gave the Communist Party absolute power over the State.
Erusian Scientific Development
Erusian Scientific Development is a term used to refer to the policies of Robert Lethler. All though a fierce advocate of Rennie-Gaffneyism, Lethler has not avoided interpreting the teachings of Gaffney according to the needs of Erusia. As an open supporter of Hu Jintao (though Lethler does not by any claims think that Hu Jintao is a true Socialist or Communist), Lethler has sought to include some of the Chinese President's Scientific Development Concept into his own political stance. When Lethler unveils his 1st Six Month Plan in December 2008, it is expected to emphasise the need to create a basically well-off society rather than a society in which everyone becomes proletarian.
Relationship with Carwyn Jenkins
During the December 2008 Election, there were rumours that a rift was forming between Lethler and his re-elected Premier Jenkins. Though the policies of the Communist Party forbid open criticism of officials unless disciplinary action has been taken against them, certain elements in the Communist Party have begun to suspect that Lethler is beginning to doubt the ability of Jenkins to perform his duty. Rumours that Lethler has arranged a meeting with the Chief Political Officer suggest that the General Secretary may be preparing to formally criticise and caution Jenkins, all though the reasons as to why remain unknown.
Personal life
Lethler is openly homosexual and has been involved in a long-term relationship with Erusian trade unionist John Carlisle since December 2007, who is known unofficially as the First Gentleman. The couple will be moving in together in July 2009.
Notable Works
- Advance our Revolutionary Cause
- A New Socialist International
- Democracy in the One-Party State
- On Camurian Imperialism
- On Stalin
- Populist Communism
- Raul Castro's Betrayal
- The Art of Jiǎntǎo
- The Great Awakening
- The People's Manifesto
Awards and Honours
Below are the awards, both military and political, bestowed upon Lethler.
- Order of Lenin, 1st Class - "For his exceptional efforts in the defence of the Fatherland", Bzan
- Order of Lenin, 2nd Class - "For furthering the goal of Socialism to satisfying ends", Bzan
- Hero of the People's Republic - "For proving himself as a shining beacon of strength and hope for the Bzanite peoples", Bzan
- Liberator of the People of Finismund
Former Awards and Honours
Cavaliere of the Order of the Blue Star - "For his useful collaboration during the negotiations of the Rhodesian War, for preventing Finismund to become an oppressed micronation, and also for being a good friend of St.Charlie, Robert Lethler is awarded of the Order of the Blue Star." (Translated from Italian, Albo dell'Ordine della Stella Blu) On September 17th 2009, Lethler publically stated the the award was a "mark of national shame" and publically disowned it, following a breakdown in relations between Erusia and St.Charlie. He reportedly burned the certificate that formally granted him the honour.
Titles and Styles
All though titles of nobility and similar institutions are explicitly forbidden under Erusian law (using such a style or title is a prosecutable offence for any Citizen), Lethler - as with all politicians in Erusia - is permitted certain honorific styles to reflect his positions in government and the Communist Party. His full official style is as follows:
Comrade Robert Lethler, NPEC-SM, GC-CC/NC-ENCP
Quotes
| " Capitalism single-handedly kills more children every year than the Schutzstaffel could have dreamt of. "
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( On Capitalism)
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| " [Government] officials should never be afraid to criticise themselves. Self-criticism is a key part of our ideology. "
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( The Art of Jiǎntǎo)
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| " It is a popular misconception that democracy is an alien concept in the single-party state, for all single-party Socialist Republics practice a form of democracy - democratic centralism. The end to multi-party democracy does not mean the death of democracy itself, merely the transfer of democratic power from the general population to those revolutionary members with the will to exercise their democratic right in order to advance the People's revolutionary struggle. "
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( Democracy in the One-Party State)
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| " Better to burn for all eternity for something you choose to believe in, than to suffer paradise for something you have been forced to believe in. "
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( On being asked about his conversion from Christianity to Paganism)
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| " Of course I would [die for Socialism] - but I'd much rather live for it. "
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( On being asked about his political conviction)
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| " It is crucial to remember that Party unity and coherence of thought must be maintained at all costs. This is not the time to be divided by factional or ideological leanings, for if we allow ourselves to fall prey to infighting we cannot continue our revolutionary work within and without Erusia. Erusia - and now the Union - has a special role in the intermicronational community as the bastion of micronational Socialism. We must continue to stand tall and proud against the forces of social Darwinism, Imperialism and Capitalism. No other micronation is waiting in the wings to take on this role should we fail, and thus failure cannot be an option. The Party must not be afraid to challenge the forces of socio-economic corruption and decadence - nothing is more important than protecting the security of the People and their Revolution. "
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( Excerpt from his address to the 3rd National Congress in February 2009)
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| Preceded by: | Chairman of the Grand Unified Micronational | Succeded by: | 
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| Kalvin Koolidge | April 12th 2009 - July 12th 2009 | Jamie Sutherland |
| Preceded by: | General Secretary of the Erusian National Communist Party | Succeded by: | 
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|---|---|---|---|
| Office created | November 9th 2008 - present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by: | Supreme People's Commissioner of the National People's Executive Committee | Succeded by: | 
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|---|---|---|---|
| Office created | November 10th - July 6th 2009 | Kenneth Maisano |
| Preceded by: | Premier of the National People's Assembly | Succeded by: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Office created | November 9th - November 10th 2008 | Carwyn Jenkins |
| Preceded by: | 1st Executive Vice-Chairman of the NRC | Succeded by: | 
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|---|---|---|---|
| Office created | February 7th - March 30th 2009 | Kai Roosevelt |
| Preceded by: | 2nd Executive Vice-Chairman of the NRC | Succeded by: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Office created | March 30th 2009 - May 7th 2009 | Office abolished |
| Preceded by: | Comrade Premier of the Union of Socialist Micronational Republics | Succeded by: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Office created | February 7th - March 30th 2009 | Kai Roosevelt |
| Preceded by: | Executive Secretary of the CPUSMR Central Committee | Succeded by: | 
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|---|---|---|---|
| Office created | February 7th - May 7th 2009 | Office abolished |
| Preceded by: | Foreign Minister of the USMR | Succeded by: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Kai Roosevelt | March 30th 2009 - May 7th 2009 | Office abolished |
