Villem Mand
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Villem Mand | |
|---|---|
 Mand, pictured in 1939 | |
| Premier of Alsland | |
| In office 13 November 1929 – 9 December 1942 | |
| President | Liuwke Talsma |
| Preceded by | Tsjaable Wouda |
| Succeeded by | Laas Keuning |
| President of Alsland | |
| In office 25 April 1948 – 25 April 1960 | |
| Preceded by | Liuwke Talsma |
| Succeeded by | Fetsen Haanstra |
| Honorary leader of the National Bloc | |
| In office 13 February 1943 – 13 January 1991 | |
| Member of the Folkssenaat | |
| In office 16 August 1924 – 13 November 1929 | |
| Constituency | Martiland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 October 1888 Rahu, Kirenia |
| Died | 13 January 1991 (aged 102) Rahu, Alsland |
| Political party | National Bloc |
Villem Mand (4 October 1888 - 13 January 1991) was an Alslandic politician who served as Premier of Alsland from 1929 until his forced resignation during the ODRE movement in 1942. During his tenure as Premier, Mand systematically cracked down on any opposition to his rule whilst also centralising power within the position of Premier. Mand has been described as both a autocrat as well as a National Hero. His legacy is part of a highly contentious debate within Alsland between his supporters and his detractors.
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. Whilst in Werania the relationship between his government in exile and the governments of Werania and Estmere soured over a proposed dissolution of Alsland after the Great War, he made repeated threats to move his government to Kirenia and allow councilism to be established in a post-war Alsland over the plan. Upon his return to Alsland he centralised power under the position of Premier using emergency powers granted by the Folkssenaat. These powers were also used to crackdown on opposition to his rule and many opposition politicians were jailed and newspapers were brought under the control of the government. In foreign policy he declared Alsland to be a neutral nation and rejected Alslandic membership in the United Nations of Euclea. His government's economic policies were also credited with Alsland's economic recovery and initial development after the Great War. His government ultimately collapsed during the ODRE movement despite his popularity amongst the Alslandic electorate up. He attempted to maintain power and stability although was forced to resign after the defection of the Definsjemacht.
After being forced to resign as Premier, Mand kept an active role in politics and was named Honorary leader of the National Bloc which he maintained until his death in 1991. Mand denied he was a dictator after leaving office and instead compared himself to Wolfgar Godfredson to justify actions taken by his government. After the Committee for a peaceful transition was disbanded Mand returned to politics and became President of Alsland in 1948 until 1964 when ill health forced him to not participate in any public campaigns. Mand died in 1991, his death sparked the first national debate about his legacy since the ORDE movement. At the time of his death Mand was the oldest living non-royal former head of state and government, he continues to maintain this title.
Biography
Early life and education
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 Folkssenaat 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.