Joseph Laos

**Alwar Joseph Diego Laos** (born 4 July 2956) is a Balancín politician who served as the 4th El Presidente de la Roca between May and August 3020 and as General Secretary of the Socialist Party between May and July 3020. Laos was elected to serve as First Vice Presidente in 3013 under legendary El Presidente Ramón Gerard Antonio Estévez. Following Antonio Estévez's death in 3020, Laos was sworn in as El Presidente and as General Secretary of the Socialist Party. Unlike Antonio Estévez, Laos failed to win the support of much of the Socialist Party, resulting in his replacement as General Secretary in July 3020 with Emiliano Matias Alejandro. Alejandro became General Secretary and on 5 August 3020 was elected El Presidente.

Laos was a lame duck El Presidente and was replaced with Alejandro on 16 August 3020.

## Early life and career

Laos was born in Europe and lived his early life bouncing between schools, colleges and universities across the continent. Europe, unlike much of the rest of the world, was not privy to as much violence and destruction in the second half of the 30th century. When the United Federation of Planets returned to Terra in the 2980s, Laos was a minor supporter.

Laos' first "real job", according to interviews, was as a construction worker in Southern France. He continued in a number of minor roles, including assistant technician and store clerk, until finally entering politics as a trade union representative in Washington. Laos was never elected to political office, but was a loud critic of the Democratic Party of President Grand Tarkin. Following the collapse of the Federation following the Federation/C.E. war, Laos joined the refugee migration south to the Wiltshire plains. Laos settled in Rockfield and continued his work as a trade union representative, becoming one of the founders of the Partido Socialista (Socialist Party).

## Rockfield political career

### **Deputy for Talaga (3007 - 3013)**

Laos was first elected to the Balancín Cortes Generales in 3007, representing the Talaga department. During his time in the Cortes Generales, Laos became a key member of the Transportation Committee, eventually coming chairman of the committee. In 3009, when Palos De Santa was elected El Presidente, Laos was appointed the Jefe de Transporte (Minister/Secretary for Transport). He served in this position through the Presidencies of De Santa and David Winston. In 3013, when newly appointed El Presidente Ramón Gerard Antonio Estévez was standing for election, he appointed Laos his running mate. Laos was elected First Vice Presidente in August 3013.

### **First Vice Presidente (3013 - 3015)**

Laos became the 4th First Vice Presidente following the 3013 Rockfield Presidential Election, under popular new El Presidente Ramón Gerard Antonio Estévez. While Laos was a major player in the party, he remained mostly in the background. He served as Antonio Estévez's primary line of communication between himself and the Cortes Generales. In addition, he was a fundamental component of drafting much of Antonio Estévez's policy platform. Despite being crucial to an extremely popular manifesto, Laos was mostly unrecognized for his work.

He did, however, receive heavy criticism in 3015 for pro-Tarkinist statements he had made during his time as a Trade Union representative in the Federation. While factions of the party are pro-Tarkinist, large factions are not and underlying prejudice still remains within the party. This caused such backlash that Antonio Estévez dropped Laos from his ticket when he sought re-election in the 3015 Election. Laos returned to the Cortes Generales.

### **Deputy for Moonshore (3015 - 3016)**

Following his stepping down as First Vice Presidente, Laos returned to the Cortes Generales. While his career during his second tenure was not as remarkable or noteworthy as his first, he did re-gain the trust and respect of El Presidente Antonio Estévez. So much so that in the run-up to the 3016 Election, Antonio Estévez re-appointed Laos as his running mate, returning to the position as First Vice Presidente in 3016.

### **First Vice Presidente (3016 - 3020)**

Laos became First Vice Presidente for a second time (becoming the first person to hold the office non-consecutively) in August 3016. During this time, Laos' responsibilities in government increased. Many remarked that for a long period, Laos was Antonio Estévez's closest advisor. He advised El Presidente on a wide range of issues, including economic areas too.

Many consider the biggest achievement of this era is the establishment of the Fishing and Fresh Water Extraction Commission, creating rules and regulations to protect the Rockfield Sea and encourage greater economic development to the coast. Since then, Rockfield Bay has become a big tourist hub with increased business investment.

In March 3020, Antonio Estévez died of heart failure. This shocking news broke just days following his announcement that he would seek an eighth term in office. Antonio Estévez was an extremely popular leader and became the first to die in office. Constitutionally, the First Vice Presidente would assume the role of El Presidente until the Cortes Generales can vote for a placeholder under the next scheduled election. Laos easily won the vote on 25 March 3020 and was sworn in as the 4th El Presidente de la Roca.

### **El Presidente (3020 - present)**

Laos took office as the 4th El Presidente on 25 March 3020. However, his presidency would not be the success that his predecessor had experienced. Right from the outset, there were signs of political missteps. Firstly, Laos appointed Patricia Westbrooke (the former First Vice Presidente who was extremely unpopular across the country) as his Jefe de Economía y Tesorería (Minister/Secretary for the Economy and the Treasury). His served to further deepen his political worries as during this time, political opponents continued to raise questions over his tarkinistic past. Video emerged of Laos as a pro-Tarkinist rally in 2990s. Many considered this disqualifying.

In July 3020, Laos was replaced as General Secretary of Partido Socialista with Emiliano Matias Alejandro. Traditionally, El Presidente would resign and be replaced by the new General Secretary. However, Alejandro and Laos both agreed to allow Laos to continue in office to finish out the incumbent term.

Alejandro was elected the 5th El Presidente on 5 August 3020 and was sworn in on 16 August 3020. Laos was the shortest ever serving El Presidente.