William Urskabau

Dr. William Urskabau
William Urskabau in 2017
President of Saint Croix and Bens
In office 19 March 2008 – 4 August 2022
Preceded by	Airra Lebann
Succeeded by	Wira Santoso
Personal details
Born	(1953-01-04)January 4, 1953 Sakoyva, Saint Croix and Bens
Died	December 11, 2023(2023-12-11) (aged 70) Beresa, Saint Croix and Bens
Political party	UCNO
Spouse	Abella Khamis
Children	2
Residence(s)	President's Residence, Saint Elmenau
Education	University of Beresa
Occupation	Politician, Neurosurgeon

William Urskabau was a politician and neurosurgeon who served as the 28th President of Saint Croix and Bens from 2008 to 2022. He was elected in 2008 and won three bids for reelection, with his most recent reelection being in March of 2020. He resigned on August 4th, 2022, after a series of health concerns. As President, he oversaw a thriving economy as Saint Croix has quickly expanded its Gross Domestic Product, has nationalized the health care of the nation, proceeded over an expansion of the Armed Forces, and led the nation through numerous threats from foreign powers, such as the Northeast Croix Islands Standoff when Alecburgh sent forces to the border in an attempt to annex Saint Croix's northeastern Maddis Island and Pirvia Island, and the Tarijar Strait Crisis which involved insurrectionists from Qolaysia attempting to commit attacks within Saint Croix.

Urskabau passed away in Beresa on December 11th, 2023, following his battle with lymphatic node cancer.

Presidency

As President, he oversaw a thriving economy as Saint Croix has quickly expanded its Gross Domestic Product, nationalized the health care of the nation, proceeded over an expansion of the Armed Forces, and led the nation through numerous threats from foreign powers. Among these threats were the Northeast Croix Islands Standoff, when Alecburgh sent forces to the border in an attempt to annex Saint Croix's northeastern Maddis Island and Pirvia Island, and the Tarijar Strait Crisis which involved insurrectionists from Qolaysia attempting to commit attacks within Saint Croix. Among his last acts as President was approving a parliamentary pursuit to join WEDA, a decision which he was hesitant to apply but ultimately decided to do, in his words, "to protect the integrity of the security of our nation and South Adula."

The President's stand-firm policy in the wake of social unrest in neighboring Alecburgh was seen in the tensions between himself and former-Prime Minister Benjamin Warren, who ordered troops to SCB's border. When Alecburgh's southwest provinces attempted to secede and the country plunged into a constitutional crisis, Urskabau leaned into diplomacy with allies and expanded WEDA's allowance of forces in SCB military bases. Urskabau also oversaw last year's controversial admission into WEDA amid flaring tensions with De Yuan. The decision, however, paid off according to Urskabau, who that past spring had to skim the line between peaceful negotiation and assertive pushback against the Yuaneze during the Jinchon Sea crisis.

On the economic front, President Urskabau nationalized the oil industry but allowed foreign companies to invest in shareholder permits, which allowed the SCB economy to strengthen, centralize, and diversify at the same time. Urskabau's massive investment in education is credited with taking the country from mass illiteracy to a major international technological powerhouse. The country's national economy benefits from a highly skilled workforce and is among the most educated countries in the world with one of the highest percentages of its citizens holding a tertiary education degree. Saint Croix and Bens's economy was one of the world's fastest-growing from the early 1960s to the late 1990s, and was still one of the fastest-growing developed countries in the 2000s. It recorded the fastest rise in average GDP per capita in the world between 2011 and 2019. Saint Croix and Bens citizens refer to this growth as the Miracle on the Croix Sea, referring to development in the South Coast's industry region.

In July 2020, Urskabau coughed up blood during a public speech and was quickly ushered off stage. Days later, he publicly confirmed that he had been diagnosed with lymphatic node cancer. This, as well as widely documented health concerns in the past from broken bones to heart attacks, contributed to his decision to resign on August 4th, 2022. Then-Deputy President Wira Santoso took office as per rules of succession.

Death and legacy

Urskabau passed away on Monday, December 11th, in the early morning following his nearly three-year-long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old, less than one month shy of 71. Urskabau was given a state funeral on Friday, December 15th, attended by dozens of world leaders.

President Wira Santoso called Urskabau a "tremendous patriot to his nation, an ever faithful servant and believer in our country, the pursuit of peace, and the betterment of all."

Foreign Minister Izzat bin Bulat, in Shoassau at the time of Urskabau's passing, was recalled to attend ceremonies honoring the late president. Bulat, when asked about the passing of Urskabau during a joint press conference with Shoassauan Prime Minister William Eurenne, said "what has not been said about this remarkable man? He transformed our nation from an upward focused but unorganized chaotic natured place into a steady-streamed, well-oiled machine. He took us from a state of distrust towards our government to a general understanding of good faith. I served as his deputy for two years before I was named Foreign Minister four years ago, and I knew on every occasion that he was always doing his best for our sake."