Melcion Portas

Melcion Portas
45th Consul of Midrasia
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 January 2018
Deputy	Jacques Magule
Preceded by	Charles Vauban
Leader of the Progressive Alliance
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 July 2014
Preceded by	Elodie June
Senator for Benedormo
In office 10 September 2009 – 13 September 2013
Preceded by	Antino Campanile
Succeeded by	Marina Bellanca
Majority	2,176 (7.2%)
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
In office 1 January 1998 – 1 January 2002
Preceded by	Marie Vespe
Succeeded by	Amanzio Sinicropi
Member of the Public Assembly for Benedormo
In office 17 September 1991 – 13 September 1997
Preceded by	Marie June
Succeeded by	Javier Espances
Majority	12,234 (36.4%)
Personal details
Born	(1962-04-04) 4 April 1962 Bordeiu, Midrasia
Nationality	Midrasian
Political party	Progressive Alliance (2004–present)
Other political affiliations	Social Democratic Party (1983–2004)
Spouse	April Berit (m. 2000)
Residence	Hôtel Lindoir
Alma mater	University of Almiaro

Melcion François Alexandre Portas (born 4 April 1962) is the 45th and current Consul of Midrasia, and leader of the Progressive Alliance since 2014. Following the 2017 elections Portas' Progressive Alliance won an majority within the Public Assembly and Senate, leading the Reform Bloc to form a government. Additionally, Portas to become the first Consul to win an election not representing the PSD or UDA since 1990.

Portas attended the University of Almiaro and previously worked as a journalist for La République newspaper before turning to politics in the early 1990s. Campaigning as a member of the Social Democratic Party, Portas was elected as a councillor for Almiaro in 1988 where he served for several years, before earning a chance to contest for a position within the Public Assembly in his home city of Almiaro, due to his performance in the council and ties to the PSDs leader in Riviera. Within the 1992 mid-term elections, Portas won the election within the constituency of Benedormo, becoming one of the youngest MPs within the house.

Portas served as a Senator under the Social Democratic Party for several years, until he lost his seat in 1998. Despite this, he was picked by Consul Manuel Pegrant to serve as Foreign Secretary from 1998 to 2002. Throughout this time, Portas was noted for his high-profile ventures, particularly in the government's decision to intervene in the Srednian Civil War, and in the creation of the Commonwealth of Democratic Nations in 2000. Though the PSD and Reform Bloc lost the 2001 election, Portas remained active within the upper echelons of the Social Democrats and was even tipped as a future Consular candidate. Nevertheless, throughout the early 2000s, Portas began to lose favour in the party, partly due to disagreements over its future direction. As a result, in 2004, Portas resigned his membership of the Social Democratic Party, instead electing to join the newly formed Progressive Alliance. Under the Progressives, Portas won a surprise victory in the elections of 2009, where he won back his old seat in Benedormo, now in the Senate due to constitutional changes. Portas kept his seat in Benedormo until the election of 2013 where he lost out to the PSD during an election dubbed the 'red wave' by commentators. Following the loss of his Senate seat, Portas contested the election for the new leader of the Progressives, winning the subsequent contest and succeeding Elodie June who had resigned following the poor results of the 2013 election. As head of the Progressives, Portas and his party greatly benefitted from the onset of the Midrasian Spring and the corruption allegations levelled at then Consul Charles Vauban. After a brief leadership contest, Portas emerged as the Reform Bloc's candidate for Consul; before going on to defeat Lucatiel Lorett in the 2017 consular election.

As Consul, Portas has promised to "keep the spirit of the Midrasian Spring alive", promising a number of reforms aimed at improving government transparency and limiting corporate influence in politics. The Portas administration has also promised a modernisation of Midrasia's LGBT laws, legalising same-sex marriage and reforming legislation regarding gender identity. Despite these pledges, Portas' tenure as Consul has mostly been marred with increasing international tensions, and the outbreak of war with Veleaz in April 2018. Through these issues, however, Portas has emerged as one of the most popular Midrasian consuls in recent years, with approval ratings as high as 87.2% in late April 2018.

Early life and career

Portas was born on 4th April 1962 to a middle-class family in Bordeiu. His father Antoine Portas worked as a civil servant in the Midrasian Passport Office, whilst his mother was a teacher at a local Primary School. Despite being born in Bordeiu, most of Portas' early life was spent in Almiaro where his family moved when he was only 2 years old due to his father's new posting. Portas attended Lucca Primary School before gaining entrance to the Almiaro Grammar School for boys. He was described as a 'straight A-grade student' by his teachers and particularly well regarded for his analytical and problem-solving abilities. During his time at school, Portas joined the school's drama society where he participated in a number of school productions. Additionally, Portas also volunteered as an actor at Lehmann Theatre in Almiaro where he played a variety of roles. Reflecting on his time at school, Portas stated that if it wasn't for his father's insistence that he be 'realistic' in his career choices, he would have seriously considered becoming an actor in later life. Following his graduation from secondary school, Portas went on to attend the University of Almiaro in 1982 where he studied Politics and International Relations.

It was during his time at University that Portas gained an interest in left-wing politics, noting the university's more liberal attitudes and student base as having a large influence on his choice to campaign with the Social Democrats. Whilst Portas would campaign with the PSD, he was not an official member of the party and would not gain a position within the student party executive. In addition to his membership of the PSD Society at university, Portas was also a member of the University's drama society, though he was soon forced to give up acting due to time constraints with his degree and work with the Social Democrats. Portas would graduate from the University of Almiaro with First class honours in 1985.

Following graduation, Portas went on to work as a freelance journalist for La République before being brought onto the company full time in 1985. Portas mostly worked as a political columnist for the newspaper on Asuran affairs, however, would also regularly write on matters of Midrasian governance and foreign policy. It was during his time working for the newspaper that Portas met April Berit who he would later marry in 2000. With the newspaper, Portas broke a number of important news stories and was notable for his work regarding the Alzur Crisis of the 1980s under the Portucale government. Portas' work with the newspaper would also win a number of editorial awards both within the company itself and on the national stage. As a reward for his hard work with the company, Portas was promoted to the newspaper's editorial staff in 1989, becoming responsible for overseeing the entirety of the politics department. Despite the promotion, Portas stated that he was unhappy with his work hours and lack of a significant pay increase. As such, in 1990 Portas decided to end his involvement with the newspaper to pursue politics full time with the Social Democrats.

Early Political career

Councillor

Following his departure from La République in 1990, Portas quickly found himself in a strong position with the Social Democrats of Riviera, his name being known from his publication days, as well as having ties which dated back to his university days. As a result, Portas was shortlisted for a seat on the Almiaro city council, ultimately winning election to the body in late 1990. On the council, Portas was known as a moderate, striking a fine line between the tax-and-spend left-wing members and the fiscal conservatives of the Republican Party and Liberty. During his time on the council, Portas oversaw the modernisation of the city's tram systems as well as the growth in the city's technology sector. Under Portas, the city was also able to control its budget spending, entering a surplus for the first time in ten years.

Due to his performance on the city council and ties to high-ranking members of the Social Democrats in Riviera, Portas was soon put forward as a candidate for the Public Assembly, to contest the constituency of Benedormo, following the retirement of Marie June. The PSD was expected to win the seat comfortably, with Portas winning election to the lower house with a majority of 12,234 (36.4%).

Member of the Public Assembly

During his time in the Public Assembly, the lower house of the Midrasian parliament, Portas was notable for being part of the PSDs more moderate faction, publically advocating and supporting policies regarded as third-way, or social democratic; as opposed to the more ardently socialist elements within the Social Democratic Party. Yet whilst disagreeing with significant factions within his own party, Portas never once broke the whip and voted against his party. During his first stint in the Public Assembly, Portas was notable for filibustering a bill introduced by the Alydian Democratic Union which would have codified marriage as between a man and a woman, as per the country's Alydian philosophy. The bill, whilst deeply unpopular with many elements of parliament, was publically filibustered by Portas in what many regarded as a publicity stunt for both the party and himself; voicing their opposition against such religious-inspired legislation which would have broken with the policy of Laïcitat employed on-and-off since 1791.

In the 1993 elections, Portas won re-election in Benedormo, increasing his majority as the Social Democrats entered government under Consul Manuel Pegrant. Throughout the Pegrant government, Portas became an ardent supporter of the government's policies in the Public Assembly, coordinating with the party whips informally to ensure much wider support for Pegrant's initiatives. This attitude made Portas greatly favoured as an up-and-coming member of the party, leading many to speculate that Portas could soon land the position of Majority Whip or even Speaker. Portas' support for the government's parliamentary reform program was particularly vocal. The system moved the Public Assembly from utilising a first-past-the-post to party-list proportional representation, whilst constituency-based elections were introduced in the Senate which had previously been appointed based on municipal council results. Yet, Portas' manoeuvring to gain favour within the party angered many of the traditional elite of the PSD who viewed him as a careerist driving the party towards more right-wing policies. As a result, when the new party list for the new proportional system was published, Portas found himself relatively low down the voting order, putting his position within the Public Assembly at risk. Nevertheless, Portas was able to win re-election in the 1995 mid-terms, during which the PSD held on to its large majority.

Portas' third stint within the Public Assembly was marred with the onset of the Liegate Scandal in which Consul Manuel Pegrant was accused of engaging in sexual assault and having an extramarital affair with one of his secretaries. The scandal itself dominated discussion within the Assembly and led the opposition Chartist Bloc to engage in obstruction tactics to prevent any legislative progress. By 1997 the scandal had gotten so large that the PSDs poll ratings had sunk below those of the Republican Party, leading the Chartist Bloc to make slim gains in the 1997 election, however, Pegrant was able to cling on to his position as Consul by the smallest of margins to challenger Emeric Clar. Despite this, Portas lost his seat within the Public Assembly due to his low ranking on the party's electoral list.

Foreign Secretary

Portas on a visit to APHO humanitarian camps in Kagon in 2001

Despite losing his Assembly seat in the 1997 elections, Portas was shortlisted by Consul Manuel Pegrant to succeed Marie Vespe as his Foreign Secretary following a cabinet reshuffle. Portas was appointed and confirmed by the Senate in late November with a margin of 212-50. Portas faced considerable opposition in his appointment, due to the obstructionist tactics utilised by the Chartist Bloc under Pegrant; along with concerns that his relative youth and inexperience would hinder his ability to perform at the highest level. Upon his appointment to the position, Portas stated that it was important for "the business of the day to continue to be carried out, in spite of those who may wish to warp legislative discussions for their own agenda." Speaking of how he would conduct himself during his tenure as foreign secretary, Portas stated that he would conduct himself with "utmost professionalism when representing Midrasia on the highest stage", responding to allegations that he was too laid back for the position. He also added that Midrasian foreign policy should aim to be "humane, practical, and just whilst maintaining the best interests of Midrasia and her people at heart."

Comments on Liegate Scandal

Upon his appointment as Foreign Secretary, Portas was immediately confronted with questions regarding his opinion of Pegrant and the accusations levelled at him through the ongoing Liegate scandal. Portas stated that he had full faith in the Consul that he had committed no wrongdoing and had seen no evidence which indicated anything to the contrary. Responding to allegations that he had solely be picked for foreign secretary based on his prior support of the Consul through the crisis, Portas laughed off such comments, stating that such allegations were 'without merit' and 'completely baseless', stated that the Consul had his 'full support', and made the appointment based on 'his prior work in the Assembly and background in international relations'.

Furthermore, Consul Pegrant stated that he had the full support of Portas and that he was an excellent choice for the position of Foreign Secretary, in spite of his relative inexperience. The Consul commented that 'Portas will set the perfect example for Midrasia on the world stage', and that Chartists in the Senate were merely obstructing his government's agenda to further their own interests rather than those of the country.

Diplomatic missions

Early on within his tenure, Portas made a number of diplomatic visits, notable to Miersa to negotiate renewed political ties with the country, specifically regarded cooperation in cross-border law enforcement and democratisation. Portas also visited Aeian Public Health Organisation camps in Kagon where he helped in food distribution and observed how Midrasian funds were easing the country's disease epidemic. Portas was also involved in a diplomatic visit to Aramas following a number of terrorist attacks in the country, carried out by the Nation of Irsad. On the visit, Portas discussed how best to deal with the rise of Irsadic extremism and the introduction of greater security measures for air travel.

Portas' tenure as Foreign Secretary also coincided with the outbreak of the Srednian Civil War in 1998, wherein Midrasia played a major role in the de-escalation of the conflict and the peace process following the conclusion of the conflict. Portas initially followed the government's line in calling for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, however, Portas became a major backer of intervention as news of atrocities within Sredina began to reach Asura. By fostering a bipartisan legislative effort, Portas was able to garner support for an official military intervention into the conflict and the creation of a national peacekeeping mission to prevent further atrocities against Elhazian and Uwhistani peoples. The peace process following the conflict saw the creation of three new independent states in the form of Elhazia, Uwhistan and Ostrovia, the former of which is now a member of the Commonwealth of Democratic Nations.

As foreign secretary under the government of Manuel Pegrant, Portas played a major role in the final negotiations and signing of the Treaty of Berghelling in the year 2000. The treaty saw the creation of the Commonwealth of Democratic Nations, uniting the Drago Entente with the now-defunct Asuran Community. Melcion Portas was an official signatory of the treaty on behalf of the Midrasian government, along with Consul Manuel Pegrant and took part within the official opening ceremony of the Commonwealth. Portas gave one of the inaugural speeches at the Aeian Parliament in Berghelling, suggesting that the formation of the union marked "a new era in international cooperation in governmental policy, allowing us to bring both greater wealth and prosperity to our respective peoples."Speculation following the opening of the Aeian parliament brought suggestions that Portas may soon be tipped for a top position within the Commonwealth, either as President of the Council, or Speaker of the Assembly. These rumours were denied by both Portas and the government itself.

PSD split

Portas speaking to reporters following his resignation from the PSD

In 2001, the Social Democrats lost the Consulate to the Republican Party, leading Portas to lose his position as Foreign Secretary on January 1st 2002. As a result, Portas was without a position in government or parliament for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, Portas stated he held a desire to remain in politics with the Social Democrats, announcing his candidacy for party leader later that year following the resignation of Cirilla Fraioli. Despite putting on a strong showing within the internal contest, Portas was beaten to the position by noted left-winger Andres Soler.

Under Solder, the SDP began to incorporate of a number of more hard-left Socialist policies into the party's 2005 manifesto, a decision believed to have angered Portas along with many other more moderate members of the party. Despite the SDP gaining a growing number of members, many of these had come from groups such as the Workers' Party of Midrasia or Socialist Action. As a result, many of these new members were branded as entryists attempting to warp the ideology of the party. In a TV interview in early 2004 Portas suggested that the policies proposed by Soler were 'taking the country down the wrong path'. Additionally, Portas was critical of Soler's leadership style as well as the conduct of the new members of the party, suggesting that their conduct was detrimental to the party and 'stifled internal discourse'. Speaking on the matter, he stated: 'When you interact or talk with them, you just can't say anything they disagree with, it's as though they won't listen and want you censored. You just can't criticise them or their leader.' Following this heavily publicised interview, Portas was condemned by Andreas Soler for damaging the party's public image. Consequently, Portas lost favour with many of the PSDs higher-ups and was ostracised by much of the party's new membership. In a high-profile confrontation, Soler publically condemned the actions of party members such as Portas who were seen to be undermining the party's efforts to win the upcoming elections, calling on those who had opposed his policies to 'get behind a concerted effort to win'.

As a result, in August 2004, Portas and five other high profile members of the Social Democratic Party announced their resignation from the party, stating their intention to join the newly formed Progressive Alliance. Portas was openly welcomed by his new party with leader Elodie June stating that she was 'excited' to work with Portas, welcoming his 'governmental experience and insight' in allowing the party to challenge in future elections. With the high-profile defection of Portas, the Progressives made considerable gains in the 2007 mid-terms, gaining 8 seats in the Public Assembly. In early 2009, Portas announced his candidacy for Senator in his old seat of Benedormo for the 2009 elections. During this campaign, he worked closely with party leader June in her bid to become Reform Bloc Consular nominee. Whilst June was unable to win the nomination, Portas was able to win his old seat back, though only with a very slim majority of 2,176 (7.2% of the vote).

Senator

In the Senate, Portas was a major figurehead for the Progressives and was soon appointed the party's leader within the Senate. Though still a minor party at the time, through Portas' actions within the Senate, the Progressives began to gradually pick up points in the polls, soon surpassing the Liberal League and The Democrats and challenging the UDA for the position of third party in terms of polling. With the crisis in the PSD following their dismal performance in the 2009 elections, many within the media pointed to Portas as the true moderating voice against the Ranieri government. This was soon taken on by Portas who called the Progressives 'the true party of opposition', as opposed to the PSD who were characterised by the media as being in civil war. Though the Social Democrats would soon return to normalcy under the leadership of Charles Vauban, the Progressives greatly benefitted from the divided nature of the largest party in the Reform Bloc, gaining significant airtime and publicity which would prove vital to the future success of both Portas and the Progressives as a whole.

Though the Progressives and Portas would soon be overshadowed by the rising power of the PSD under Vauban, Portas developed the party into a considerable force in the Senate, fostering an atmosphere of bipartisanship and legislative progress through deals with the government, reigning in the more obstructive elements within the Reform Bloc. With the support of the Progressives, key initiatives such as a reduction in income tax for low earners, as well as tax incentives to encourage businesses to invest in more deprived areas were introduced. Nevertheless, whilst the Progressives did make minor gains within the 2013 election, Portas lost his seat to the Social Democrats in the form of Antino Campanile, losing out by only 45 votes. Having lost his position within the Senate, Portas chose to work internally in the party's executives, amid rumours that he would consider a return to the Public Assembly during the 2015 mid-terms, or another bid for the Senate in 2017.

2017 Consular campaign

Portas announces his intention to challenge Vauban for the Reform Bloc nomination

Portas and Matthieu Marais discuss their election strategy

Main article: Midrasian consular election, 2017

Portas was not initially set upon challenging for the Consulship during the 2017 election, with precedent holding that the incumbent Charles Vauban would go unchallenged by the Reform Bloc. However, the publication of allegations that the sitting Consul had engaged in political corruption, through allowing corporate access to confidential meetings and information, as well as legislating based on requests from donators. The onset of the Midrasian Spring which called on Vauban to resign and for a wider investigation into political corruption, led many to call for the Consul's resignation and a new candidate to stand for the Reform Bloc within the election.

With Vauban refusing to step down, pressure mounted on the Consul as many of his own party members cut their ties to the PSD to join either the Liberals, Socialists, Progressives, or Fight Against Corruption. Upon the publication of allegations against Portas by magazine Le Picayune, Portas was one of the first politicians to speak out on the matter, calling for Vauban's resignation should the allegations turn out to be true. As public pressure mounted and more allegations against a number of cabinet ministers arose, an official parliamentary investigation into the matter was announced, leading an official challenge to be mounted against Vauban. With this, Portas announced his intention to challenge Vauban to a primary election for the Reform Bloc nomination. He would soon be joined by leader of the Socialist Party Jean-Paul Dumonde in challenging for the nomination.

Portas' campaign got off to a very good start with the announcement that his bid would be backed by a number of minor parties within the Reform Bloc, especially the LCLC who dubbed Portas the "official candidate of anti-corruption." In response, Portas framed his bid around a bipartisan effort throughout the Reform Bloc to carry out meaningful reform of the political system, and to investigate the level of corporate influence present within Midrasian politics. Additionally, Portas offered many members of minor parties within the Reform Bloc prominent appointments within his cabinet, with Liberal leader Jacques Magule notably attaining the Vice-Consulship, whilst the Green Party were given the appointment of Environment Secretary. Furthermore, members of the PSD who denounced the leadership of Vauban calling for his resignation, such as Thierry Million were also appointed.

Leading in many of the polls, it looked almost certain that Portas would gain the nomination for the subsequent election. This was confirmed in mid-July, with Vauban officially resigning before the first live TV debates. With Dumonde trailing considerably within the polls, he too withdrew from the contest to allow Portas to take the nomination.

Whilst the split of the PSD had significantly shifted the balance of the political scene within Midrasia, allowing the Chartist Bloc and particularly the Republican Party to take a significant lead within the polls, they remained significantly short of an overall majority and failed to hold a significant lead. Over time this advantage was greatly cut as Portas made an increasing number of public visits, speeches and broadcasts across the country. A number of political commentators praised Portas for his 'natural charisma and warm personality' over Lorett who was viewed as being somewhat colder and out-of-touch with the new movement brewing in Midrasian politics. As the campaign progressed, Portas and the Reform Bloc took a significant lead in the polls, reaching as high as 18 points in some polls. Nevertheless, as election day drew nearer the gap closed to around 5 points.

Upon the conclusion of the election, Portas was officially elected Consul with 54.1% of the vote. In the Public Assembly, the Reform Bloc gained 53.5% of the seats, with 134 for the Progressive Alliance along, making it the largest party within the lower-house. The Progressives also took the lead within the Senate, with 92 seats out of the Reform Bloc's 159. These parliamentary majorities gave Portas considerable support within both houses, though it was a far-cry from the majority the Reform Bloc had enjoyed under the leadership of Charles Vauban during his first and only term as Consul.

Political views

Portas has always identified himself as a political progressive and has been outspoken throughout his political career in regards to the direction and strategies that left-wing parties should use to achieve reform within society. Despite previously being a member of the Social Democratic Party Portas has always been seen as a moderate within the party, and a key supporter of policies advocated by the likes of Manuel Pegrant and Charles Vauban. Portas has always been critical of the party's far left and critical of democratic socialism as an ideal in and of itself. Portas has been on record to calling socialism in its traditional form a "Nineteenth Century ideal with no application in the modern day". Instead, Portas has called for left-wing parties to embrace a form of "managed capitalism" whilst seeking progressive reforms in the social sphere to allow greater freedoms to those who wouldn't previously have access to them.

Portas has also in the past been a major advocate for electoral reform and had previously campaigned for the introduction of a more proportional electoral system. Portas had called for reform of the Senate, either to a directly elected body with longer terms and a greater emphasis on foreign policy, or to abolish the house altogether, similar to the Atrescan unicameral system. These positions were ultimately implemented during the Pegrant government under which Portas served.

Additionally, Portas has been a key advocate for LGBT rights throughout his tenure as a politician. His filibuster of the UDAs Marriage Bill of 1991 was the first time Portas was seen to take a stand for the implementation of same-sex marriages. Portas has always voted to extend rights to people of LGBT backgrounds, with his government introducing the Equality Act of 2018 which legalised same-sex marriage and reformed gender laws across the country.

Portas is also notable for being a key advocate of international cooperation, particularly among the Commonwealth of Democratic Nations and Midrasia's Asuran neighbours. Portas has been critical of Capetism in the past, suggesting that the ideology does little more than "isolate Midrasia from her neighbours and present an aloof attitude towards our allies in favour of an insular sense of nationalism and Midrasian exceptionalism".

Personal Life

Portas married April Berit in 2000 whom he met whilst at university. Portas describes himself as agnostic, although was baptised an Orthodox Alydian. Portas is known to be a keen film fanatic, having attended the Almiaro Film Festival on a number of occasions. Portas has also been active in campaigns to prevent the closure of cinemas across the country, which have been steadily in decline due to the rise of home streaming services. Portas is also known to be an avid fan of Formula A, and a supporter of FC Almiaro, although he does not call himself a die-hard football fan.