Acting Prime Minister Krill Serbin has called on his Coalition colleagues to “focus on what matters in the interest of the country” and to back the agenda of his interim administration, prioritising “stability, security and unity”. In his first television interview since being appointed to succeed Asta Dahn, at least initially on an interim basis, Mr Serbin, 54, said that he believed the political crises that have dogged political parties and the government since the New Year must be ‘put to bed’ and that the Progressive Centrist Conservative coalition that he now leads must “move on”. Attempting to reset the agenda, Serbin said he felt the government had ‘made mistakes’ but that he had met with President Tattar this weekend and discussed “working together on a shared vision and agenda for the country going forwards”, but did not reveal any details as to whether they had come to an agreement on a package of policies to be presented to the Federal Executive. The president had refused to work with Ms Dahn on such a basis, instead insisting that she pass her own legislation through both houses of the Executive exclusively and independently without his aid.
In the half an hour long interview broadcast on Sunday, the man now in charge of the government recalled his ‘deep regret’ at the New Year’s Day terrorist attacks which rocked the country in January. Mr Serbin said it was ‘understandable’ that there had been ‘major fallout’ at the top of politics following the atrocities but said he wanted to focus on “the matters at hand” not the ‘manoeuvring’ that followed. “I recognise that people want answers and that politicians must be held to account where things have gone wrong or mistakes were made. That includes those within the government. But we need to get back to talking about why and how this happened – not the political wrangling and manoeuvring that has followed.” He said he had personally worked ‘closely’ with authorities in Klimburg and Sorsk respectively close to where each attack happened, whilst serving as Defence Minister and had taken steps to speak with authorities in neighbouring Wiesereich and Eiffelland who he said had been ‘instrumental’ in supporting the government’s response. The Acting Prime Minister said that the attacks had given him ‘focus’ and been a ‘wake up call’ for the government, and that his administration would bring “stability to the country’s politics and a renewed priority and commitment to the nations security”.
Serbin’s style is markedly different from his predecessor, but the interview was also pre-recorded, and sources say his office allegedly demanded to see the full list of questions 24 hours prior to it taking place. “The PM’s office were clear that unless they knew what would be asked, they weren’t going to do it. There’s a ring of steel that has been put around him [Serbin], he wants to be in for the long-haul and is wanting to reset relations with the country’s fledging media” said one off-the-record source, whilst another remarked that “if he [Serbin] wants to send a message to the media that he does not fear them and that they have nothing to fear from him he will need to speak more candidly and openly – not just to them, but to the public.” Mr Serbin’s interview, his first in his new role, is expected to give credence to the claims that his administration, however short it may be, will be more controlling, or potentially authoritarian, in terms of style and communication. Ms Dahn, whilst Prime Minister, was seen as more open in terms of access, but gradually became more guarded as circumstances changed. Most noticeably, the Prime Minister was absent from the media following her party’s disastrous showing in last year’s presidential election, with Mr Serbin and his colleagues taking a lead in responding on behalf of the government.
Mr Serbin stayed away from details, offering little insight into the expected day to day workings of his administration, but said he would allow an investigation into one of the country’s top businessmen to ‘play out its course’ and suggested he would seek to speak to the country’s ‘neighbours’ in the Gallian and Centrican League. He did not respond to the suggestion by the League’s head, Jurgen De Ridder, that the country “radically change course” to ‘cement’ its membership of the pact ahead of its full transition in December. The Acting Prime Minister said “it is not in our interests to leave the League once we are fully embedded within it – it would not be practical nor a priority of any Coalition administration.”
