Villem Mand

Villem Mand
Mand, pictured in 1939
Premier of Alsland
In office 13 November 1929 – 4 July 1939
President	Liuwke Talsma
Preceded by	Tsjaable Wouda
Succeeded by	Sjemme Boersma
Other positions President of Alsland In office 25 April 1940 – 25 April 1945 Preceded by Liuwke Talsma Succeeded by Adam Schmiedeberg Member of the Folkssenaat In office 16 August 1924 – 13 November 1929 Constituency Martiland Alslandic Ambassador to Kirenia In office 20 December 1949 – 4 September 1963 Preceded by Matz Kammerer Succeeded by Hillar Vitsut
Personal details
Born	(1888-10-04)4 October 1888 Rahu, Martiland, Kirenia
Died	13 January 1991(1991-01-13) (aged 102) Rahu, Martiland, Alsland
Political party	Alslandic Bloc (1923-1948)

Villem Mand (4 October 1888 - 13 January 1991) was an Alslandic politician who served as Premier of Alsland and President of Alsland, serving between 1929 and 1939 and 1940 and 1945 respectively. Mand was originally a lawyer before entering politics after the brief Alslandic War of Independence from Kirenia. Originally opposing independence Mand softened his stance and later supported Alslandic independence. Mand was appointed Co-Deputy Premier of Tsjaable Wouda in 1927. After the invasion of Alsland by Gaullica and the 1929 coup d'etat Mand became Premier-in-exile from Werania.

During his tenure as Premier-in-exile Mand was sentenced to death in absentia for opposing the collaborationist government in Yndyk. Mand also formed a government of national unity and was in cooperation with the Councilist dominated Alslandic resistance. Mand also played a key role in the vision of a post-war Alsland. Upon the liberation of Alsland, Mand remained in power as Premier and his national unity government won all available seats in the 1936 legislative election. Mand resigned as Premier in 1939 after ASAY left the national unity government. He was replaced by his conservative Secretary of Finance Sjemme Boersma. In 1940 Mand, facing no opposition, was elected as President of Alsland. Mand retired from politics in 1945 but after the outbreak of the Kirenian-Weranian War Mand was appointed as the Alslandic Ambassador to Kirenia. A position he held until 1963. Mand died in 1991. Mand is considered as one of the most influential figures in Alslandic history and is consistently rated as the best Premier of Alsland by historians and members of the public.

Birth and early life

Ojatänav, Rahu where Mand grew up

Mand was born in Rahu, in Kirenia on 4 October 1888. Mand's parents led a Sotirian church in Rahu and were part of the Kirenian upper-class. Mand was sent to a boarding school in Neem as a youth and spent much of his childhood in Kirenia. Mand later attended Yndyki õigusteaduskond in Yndyk where he gained a doctorate in Law. Mand moved back to Kirenia after graduating and became a lawyer.

In the immediate aftermath of the assassination of King Juhan VII and the April Revolution Mand returned to Rahu to be with his family and to escape increasing violence in Kirenia. However upon the declaration of Dellish independence Mand attempted to return to Kirenia but was prevented after his Mother became bed-ridden with a blood disease. Mand's family left for Kirenia whilst he agreed to stay with his mother in Rahu. In 1920 Mand was arrested after writing a newspaper article supporting the Weranian and Estmerish invasion of Delland. During his time in prison Mand's mother died. Mand was released in 1921.

Disappointed by the Dellish and later Alslandic government's failings and instability Mand helped form the Alslandic Bloc in 1923. Mand was elected to the Senate in 1924 and was elected as the Bloc's leader in 1926. After the 1927 Legislative election the Alslandic bloc formed a coalition with the Socialist Workers Party. The Red-Blue coalition as it was called was characterised by further instability and the Alslandic Bloc briefly withdrew from the coalition. A snap legislative election was called for 3 August 1929 however the election was cancelled after the Gaullican invasion of Alsland as part of the Great War which Alsland had previously declared neutrality in. A national unity government was set up to defend Alsland and Mand was appointed as Co-Deputy Premier of Alsland. The Defence initially held in the Neeves but Gaullican forces broke through and rapidly headed north towards Yndyk. On 18 August, Mand was ordered to head to Werania and prepare for a government in exile if the need arose for one. On 21 August, Yndyk fell and much of the government was captured in Yndyk. A civilian collaborationist government was established after this and Premier Tsjaable Wouda remained in charge however most policy decisions had to be agreed by Gaullican military officials. In September the civilian government was overthrown and Mand officially declared himself as Premier-in-exile on 13 November 1929.

As Premier

Government in exile

Mand (left) faced questions of his legitimacy during his tenure as Premier

Mand's government in exile composed of only 3 government secretaries who had managed to escape Yndyk before the Gaullican army arrived. Faced with a lack of government officials and a lack of support among Alslandic refugees who had left Alsland Mand briefly considered resigning and handing power to Sjemme Boersma who was the most senior government official aside from himself and commanded much greater support. Boersma after learning of this publicly announced his support for Mand's government. After this Mand alongside the remaining government officials formed a council government with Mand as it's chair.

In 1930, former Secretary of Labour Djurre De Vos was able to be smuggled out of Alsland to prevent his arrest by the collaborationist government. Originally distrustful of De Vos the government in exile agreed to reinstate De Vos to his former role. De Vos was later joined by the leader of ASAY Richard Murray who also was smuggled out of Alsland to prevent his arrest. Murray was controversially appointed to the council against opposition from conservative factions in the government. Murray's appointment to the council and his support among the Alslandic resistance led to the resistance officially declaring their allegiance to Mand's government.

Mand's government in exile frequently came into conflict with the Weranian government and plans for a partition of Alsland after the war. Mand threatened to go as far as aligning Alsland with Kirenia and moving the government in exile there if any official plans for a partition were formalised by Werania or Estmere. Mand's popularity among Alslandic refugees, the Alslandic resistance and his government were bolstered by this but relationships with the Weranian government were damaged severely by the brief conflict between them. After the Kirenian entry into the war the Weranian government investigated dividing Alsland between Werania, Estmere and Kirenia. The move faced severe backlash from the Alslandic government and the plan was rejected by Estmere and Kirenia.

In 1933 the government in exile agreed to move it's headquarters to Kirchester, Hamptonshire which was under Weranian military occupation. Mand's return to Alsland was met with celebrations across the North-East of the country which was under Weranian military occupation in conjunction with remnants of the Definsjemacht which had sworn allegiance to Mand's government.

Return to Alsland

After the liberation of Yndyk by a joint attack by Weranian and Kirenian forces and returned to the city and delivered a speech on the Kerstplak where he proclaimed victory in Alsland. After this Mand and other members of the government in exile walked to the Senaatsgebou where they were officially sworn in as the government of Alsland. After the Great War had ended Alsland entered a severe recession and reconstruction was hampered by bad weather and supply shortages. As a response to this Mand declared a state of emergency and implemented strict rationing which led to street demonstrations in Wottested and Yndyk. As the riots worsened Mand called a snap election to demonstrate his legitimacy as Premier. The National Government parties won every available seat however ASAY won 50 out of the available 151 seats in the Senate making it the largest party in the Senate.

Mand's government later began to rewrite the Alslandic constitution as part of wide scale reforms to the country's political system. The referendum which was approved via referendum was Mand's crowning achievement. The new constitution simplified many government departments and granted more powers to the Provinces.

Crisis of 1939 and Resignation

In 1939 the government missed it's official deadline to end rationing and a general strike was called by Workers Unions after the government implemented pay cuts to give more funding to the reconstruction effort. Mand defended his governments policies and threatened to order the firing of the striking workers. The threat led to negative reactions across the government and ASAY withdrew from the national unity government in protest to it. ASAY demanded Mand's resignation or it would force an early election which ASAY would most likely win.

Mand's cabinet soon turned on him and Sjemme Boersma appeared on AFR to call for Mand to step down for the good of the country. Mand resigned later that day and Boersma was appointed as his successor. Boersma called an election after ASAY rejoined the national unity government which went on to be reelected with near unanimous support.

As President

"This country has existed for not even 20 years. It has only been 5 since we were able to free it from the functionalist threat. We have survived this much and by god it will be a cold day in hell if a man like you undoes it all for personal political gain"

Mand's threat to Keuning which was unknowingly broadcast on AFR

Mand was elected as President of Alsland in 1940 unanimously after no opposition candidates gained the required signatures to participate in the contest. Mand's tie as President was largely focused on keeping the National Unity government together until Alsland's recovery had ended.

In 1942 Mand led emergency talks to replace Djurre de Vos as Premier following his death from a heart attack seven days into his Premiership. Mand was quoted as threatening Laas Keuning who had been intentionally sabotaging his political rivals to replace De Vos. Keuning was eventually elected to replace De Vos but his popularity and standing were crippled after Mand's statement.

In 1944 Mand condemned the Senate's decision to forbid any Alslandic military forces to be involved in the Solarian War unless absolutely necessary. Mand repeatedly condemned the Senate and was joined by ASAY in their demands for Alsland to be involved in the conflict. After weeks of infighting the government agreed to provide Medical support to the CN intervention. Mand was still reportedly unhappy with this and made his feelings known to the government throughout the remainder of his term.

In 1945 Mand was blocked by the Alslandic Bloc from seeking re-election under their affiliation after Laas Keuning expressed his displeasure with Mand's criticism of himself. Mand was angered by this and publicly called for Keuning's removal for the good of the nation. Mand did not enter himself into the 1945 General election. In 1947 Mand criticised the Socialist Party after it became the first party to withdraw from the Alslandic Bloc. He blamed the withdrawal on Keuning who announced he would resign from politics after the next legislative election.

Later life and death

After his tenure as President ended Mand returned to Rahu to live out his life in peace with his family. Mand became an avid skiing enthusiast during this time and used his public status to encourage more participation in the sport.

After the outbreak of the Kirenian-Weranian War, the Alslandic ambassador to Kirenia, Matz Kammerer resigned fearing he would be seen as biased towards the Weranian government based on past comments. Kammerer met with Mand whilst he was returning to Alsland and formally recommended him to become the Ambassador. Mand was appointed as Ambassador to Kirenia on 20 December 1949.

Throughout the duration of the Kirenian-Weranian War Mand called for peace talks and rallied against the war. Mand ceased his public calls for a ceasefire to prevent damaging relations with the Kirenian government. The Rayenne Treaty brought and end to the war and was celebrated by Mand.

Mand would hold the role of Ambassador to Kirenia for until 4 September 1963 when he retired from public life after 40 years serving in politics. Mand was applauded by Premier Konrad Neuheuser as a key individual in Alslandic history.

Upon Mand's retirement he took up painting and wrote a successful biography about his life. Mand died on 13 January 1991 at 103 years old making him the oldest Premier of Alsland.

Personal life

Mand married Saara Korjus in 1910 and the couple had three children together. Saara, alongside most of Mand's family returned to Kirenia in 1919 and Mand originally intended to follow them however his arrest and the closure of the Alslandic Kirenian border prevented him from doing so. He reunited with Saara and his family whilst serving as Premier-in-exile. Saara and their children returned to Alsland after the liberation and gained Alslandic citizenship soon afterwards.

Mand is celebrated in the modern era as being the founder of modern day Alsland and his role in the reconstruction and 1936 constitution is widely celebrated. In 1988, on Mand's 100th birthday a statue of Mand was unveiled on the Kerstplak where he delivered his speech upon the liberation of Alsland. Mand was in attendance for the unveiling.