The Maabaran National Party entered the Senate for the first time with one list seat after the midterm elections. Because the MNP has been an obscure party until now, MNP Senator and Parliamentary Leader Ana Ernst held a press conference to educate people about the MNP.
(Every time a reporter speaks, it's a new reporter.)
Ernst: "Good afternoon. We cannot go on without acknowledging what has just happened. Senator Ritesh Bell was shot and killed by a fascist and white nationalist. I, along with the whole of the MNP, send my deepest condolences to Senator Bell's family and friends, and I condemn the Fernao Phalanx Movement. With their simple existence, the FPM makes people like Jimmie Baker feel more comfortable in Fernao and more comfortable acting out like he did. Ritesh Bell was killed because he was a fighter. He was a fighter for workers' rights. He was a fighter for LGBT+ rights. He was a fighter for women's rights. He was a fighter for the poor. He fought for the oppressed, the ones who are too often left out and left behind. People, Ritesh Bell was killed out of hate. You see today humanity in its worst form, and you see, plain and simple, why fascism is dangerous."
Reporter: "Ms. Ernst, congratulations on winning your seat. Could you outline for everyone watching the basic principles of the MNP?"
Ernst: "Yes. The MNP's broad goal is to fight injustice and oppression anywhere of any kind. More specifically, though, we have four main principles. One, Maabaran self-determination; two, a fair, democratic, and efficient government; three, a fair economy that works for everyone; and finally, social equality and the protection of civil liberties."
Reporter: "So the MNP could be classified as a center-left party?"
Ernst: "Yes, you could say that. The MNP is a liberal party."
Reporter: "Is that to say that the MNP won't side with the Civic Union?"
Ernst: "No, not at all. We will be able to work with both sides, similar to when the United Kingdom's Scottish National Party worked with the Conservative Party to plan the Scottish referendum."
Reporter: "And we heard you say earlier that you condemn the Fernao Phalanx Movement?"
Ernst: "Yes. The MNP is firmly opposed to fascism and the FPM. The FPM is dangerous for our democracy."
Reporter: "Will the MNP contest other elections in Maabara?"
Ernst: "Absolutely. In the upcoming elections, we plan to contest the Maabaran gubernatorial election and the Maabaran constituency election."
Reporter: "Speaking of the upcoming elections, who will the MNP support for president? Or will the MNP nominate its own candidate?"
Ernst: "I'm not going say who we will support at this time, it's too early to make promises like that?
Reporter: "Do you plan to appeal to any national audience whatsoever?"
Ernst: "We will only stand candidates in Maabara. having said that, we welcome people from all over Fernao in the MNP. If you live anywhere in Fernao and you support the rights of the Maabaran people, I encourage you to vote for the MNP to help us gain more seats and have a stronger voice."
Reporter: "The MNP's logo is a roaring lion. What does it represent?"
Ernst: "The MNP lion represents strength and a fighting spirit of independence."
Reporter: "Maabara is two-thirds Jewish and one-fifth Muslim. Clearly, Islam is a sizable minority. The MNP is also much more popular among Jews than Muslims. How will the MNP represent both groups when there has been such conflict historically, and how will the MNP prevent both Islamophobia and Antisemitism?
Ernst: "Yes, you make a good point, and religious conflict is a problem we have faced in Maabara in the past. In the MNP, we are opposed to hate and bigotry of any kind. Any MNP official who promotes Antisemitism or Islamophobia will be disciplined and in extreme cases expelled. Also, the MNP is not a religious party. We seek to represent all Maabarans. Last question."
Reporter: "Why should Maabara be specially represented or even independent?"
Ernst: "Maabara is very different from the rest of Fernao. It is unique in that it is a Jewish-majority state, but we also have many Muslims. Maabara is largely ignored on the national stage, and it only has one constituency. We truly are a different people and an ignored people. We demand better."