Abram Zymeker
Abram Zymeker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Prime Minister of Vyvland | |
| In office 10 June 1984 – 25 June 1989 | |
| Preceded by | position created |
| Succeeded by | Denis Eeris |
| Prime Minister of North Vyvland | |
| In office 1 November 1980 – 23 June 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Jeusev Ovdeeng |
| Succeeded by | position abolished |
| Temporary Prime Minister of Vyvland | |
| In office 23 June 1983 – 10 June 1984 | |
| Domestic and Security Minister of North Vyvland | |
| In office 30 October 1972 – 29 October 1976 | |
| Preceded by | Humbold Rogen |
| Succeeded by | Korneliys Elaas |
| Member of Parliament for Vlud-13, VD | |
| In office 8 June 1961 – 2 July 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Anjre Gongkelmengkser |
| Succeeded by | Vren Dydloim |
| Member of Parliament for Seldon-4, BJ | |
| In office 31 October 1957 – 8 June 1961 | |
| Preceded by | Piter Fluge |
| Succeeded by | Urnold Fihegle |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 250px April 4, 1929 Vlud, Vyvland |
| Died | 250px |
| Resting place | 250px |
| Nationality | Vyvlander |
| Political party | Socialist (N Vyvland) (before 1983) Socialist (after 1983) |
| Spouse(s) | Sofia Zymeker (since 1992) Maria Zymeker (1964-87) |
| Children | none |
| Parent |
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| Alma mater | Royal University of Da Hegner |
Abram Zymeker (pronounced /'ab.ɾəm 'ʒʉː.meː.kəɾ/) was the first Prime Minister of reunified Vyvland, and the last Prime Minister of North Vyvland. He is also the second-longest serving Prime Minister. He represented two constituencies for the Socialist Party during his time in parliament; Seldon-4 from 1957 to 1961 and Vlud-13 from 1961 to 2005, while he also stood unsuccessfully in Slicel-Norf in 1953.
Zymeker was known for being a social reformer; under his government, many reforms to the laws of the previous states of North and South Vyvland were passed. These were collectively known as the "Liberal Revolution" and comprised the repealing of homosexuality laws, many food and drug restrictions, capital punishment, in addition to extending the vote to the all residents and the voting age from 25 to 17, and the introduction of anti-discrimination legislation. During his time in government, he also massively expanded the welfare system and healthcare, which was extended to all residents. Due to his reforms, opinion on Zymeker is polarised in Vyvland.
Early life
Abram was born in Vlud to Jewish parents. His mother was a factory spinner, while his father came from an established upholstery and leather-trading family with a centuries-long history in Vlud, hence the name Zymeker (meaning Shoemaker in an antiquated form of Vyvlander). His parents met while both at work in a family factory in the Rumpe district of Vlud, but his father was eschewed by the family for marrying someone of the working classes.
When Abram was born, his parents lived reasonably, with "enough money to survive, but not to thrive" according to Zymeker's autobiography. He grew up, however, in what was a relatively poor district of the city, and during the Civil War, which exacerbated the poverty of many around him. Zymeker describes this as an inspiration for his left-wing views. At the young age of thirteen, Abram joined his local Socialist Association, although soon moved to the more legitimate (socialism was repressed by the North Vyvlander government) Socialist Party, in which he was on the left wing. He was educated at the Royal University of Da Hegner, and was active with socialist and left-wing political organisations while studying there.
Career
Pre-reunification
Abram entered politics soon after his return to Vyvland, first standing in the marginal seat of Slicel-Norf in the 1953 general election, which he lost to the incumbent Christian Democratic candidate by a small margin of 120 votes. Despite his loss, at the next election he was appointed as candidate to a seat with a similar profile in Seldon, Seldon-4, which lay in the west of the city. However, he was more successful this time, and turned the seat over from the Christian Democrats. Upon the seat's boundary changes before the next election, it became nominally Christian Democrat, and as Zymeker had shown promise in the party, he was appointed candidate for the more safe Socialist seat of Vlud-13. He won this election easily, and went on to become a well-known local wetaan in the National Diet.
However, it took multiple years in Parliament before Zymeker was appointed to any position of authority within his party or the government; many have attributed this to his left-wing beliefs and him being Jewish, and thus perceived as an outsider to the Lutheran and Lutheran Catholic upper classes, who were strong in Parliament at the time. Zymeker's first job was the major position of Domestic and Security Minister, which he held from 1973 to 1976 after Gunfre Smef-Hoyg's first National Commission reshuffle. During this time, Zymeker impressed those higher up in the party, and while shadow Domestic and Security Minister, he was elected as the leader who would carry the Socialist into the 1980 election.
Zymeker was elected, albeit with a slim majority of only 15 seats. Although his main promises were related to expanding welfare, healthcare and education, issues with South Vyvland became his short premiership's main concern, due to the ongoing power struggle after the death of Erman Sanker in 1980. Zymeker's speedy formation of the new state was welcomed and praised by many Vyvlanders, especially in the former South, although a significant proportion of the population believe that the two countries should have waited some years before reuniting, to ensure greater equality between the nations and a slower, easier integration.
Post-reunification
During his time as Prime Minister after reunification, Zymeker led three cabinets. The first was a provisional 'overseer' government involving the governments of both North and South Vyvland, which lasted until an election could be held in June 1984. The second was a coalition between the New Nationalists (the new name for the former Nationalist Movement), who had been in power in South Vyvland prior to reunification, and the Socialists, Zymeker's party. However, due to wildly differing ideologies, very little was achieved during this period beyond creating a basic framework for the post-reunification country. The government split by mutual agreement in April 1986.
Zymeker's second election after reunification, in 1986, was far more successful, with the Socialist Party entering into coalition with the reformed Liberal Party (formerly the Radical People's Party), Greens and Communist Party. Zymeker's election victory was partly down to his successful raid on war criminals living in Syfmion, which helped to boost his popularity despite causing diplomatic unrest with Luziyca. His time in office was also marred by attacks by the True Vyvlanders terrorist orgnaisation. During this term, Zymeker's government implemented wide-ranging social reforms, increased government spending, and outlawed capital punishment. Laws guaranteeing equal rights to homosexuals had been constitutionally forbidden in the North, which had caused significant unrest there, and Zymeker's moves were generally welcomed. However, the third Zymeker government was not particularly stable, and as time went on, its proposals began to become more radical, which displeased many Liberals. This prompted an early exit from the coalition for the Liberals, and another election was called due to a vote of no confidence. This election resulted in a Liberal-Conservative-Green-Dutch Union coalition.
Zymeker represented Vlud-13 for 16 years after his defeat, retiring before the 2005 election due to his health. He was not appointed to any National Commission positions during this period, and began to take up carpentry part-time.
Personal life
Zymeker is currently married to Sofia, although from 1964 to 1987 he was married to Maria, an Everian immigrant. He has no children through either of his marriages, although he has a 32-year-old step-son, Murkus, through Sofia. Zymeker enjoys gardening and during his time in office developed what is now the Presidential Garden at Brynel Palace, where he lived at the time. Zymeker is still a practising Jew, and describes his religion as an "inseparable part of [his] life".
Legacy
Upon reunification, Zymeker was hailed by many as having created modern Vyvland, and the work he did towards this cause is often referred to as invaluable. However, his divisiveness lies in the policies enacted by his last National Commission, many of which were reversed after the following election.