President Marchand Celebrates 70th Year in Office!

SPIDER CITY, Grandville, Rogue Isles, September 27th

By James Stark

The Rogue Isles celebrated today in honour of President Marchand reaching his 70th year in office. Festivities to mark his seven decades in power began last night in Marchand’s home region of Grandville, and are expected to carry through the entire island chain for the next several weeks. Citizens of the Rogue Isles will be treated to concerts, arena competitions, and lavish feasts, all for free.

“I have a lot to be happy about,” Marchand said in an exclusive interview with the Paragon Times. “I’ve been elected into office nine times by the people of the Rogue Isles. It’s a good feeling.”

Gerald T. Marchand was elected in 1937, winning a close race against Conrad Oakes. His first eight-year term carried him through the Second World War. Although he officially declared the Rogue Isles neutral during that time, he earned tremendous favour with the Allies by waging a brutal war on members of the 5th Column, champions of the Axis powers. However, it wasn’t until his fourth term that he cemented the loyalty of his people.

In 1963, the guerrilla terrorist Lord Recluse attempted to overthrow President Marchand and take control of the Rogue Isles, backed by his Arachnos mercenary forces. Marchand, with the help of his Loyalists, and his own highly advanced powered-armour suit, managed to repulse Lord Recluse.

In the final, decisive battle, Recluse mortally wounded Marchand before being forced to flee. Marchand was saved by the aid of his science advisor, Dr. Aeon, who kept him alive through advanced technology. Now, living as a cyborg permanently embedded in his armor, Marchand rules the Rogue Isles with a literal iron fist.

Yet “G.T.” Marchand is also highly respected and beloved by his people. Public opinion of him skyrocketed in the 60s after Recluse was driven out with his tail between his legs, and it has never faltered. “There is no such thing as the US’s 20th Amendment [in the Rogue Isles], limiting a president’s number of terms,” said Dr. Jennifer Dornan, socio-political advisor for the Rogue Isles. “So because of Marchand’s unique situation where he is essentially immortal, he can run for office indefinitely.”

Despite the fact that his people love him, Marchand rules more like a benevolent monarch than an elected president. There is little separation of power in the Rogue Isles, and the president is the head of both the executive and judicial branches and has tremendous sway over the legislative branch; the president appoints all senators, who serve only until he dismisses them. Opposition parties are not technically banned in the Rogue Isles, but there has never been a serious challenge to Marchand since he defeated Recluse. Marchand also controls all media in the Rogue Isles, and rarely gives interviews to foreign correspondents. Furthermore, all school-age children must recite a pledge of allegiance to Marchand daily.

Golden and bronze statues and busts of Marchand are littered through the islands, and his likeness is on every banknote and coin. Perhaps the most fantastic is a 20 meter revolving golden statue atop the tallest tower in Grandville. He also had his likeness woven into the world’s largest handmade carpet, involving more than a thousand weavers from throughout the Nerva Archipelago. The carpet covers 70,000 square feet, and will be spread out in the Golden Presidential Palace on St. Marchand.

Despite his peculiarities, President G.T. Marchand is well-liked even outside of the Rogue Islands. The US President invited him to vacation at his family estate in Kauai, Hawaii, last year. During the festivities last night, Statesman dropped in to wish Marchand his best. Although the next election is in 2 years, no one has any doubts that Marchand will win with another landslide.