Welcome to another episode of The Discussion Desk on HoloNet News Services. I’m your host, Ari Kylborne. Tonight I’m joined with Senator Penb Muptun, leader of the Galactic Workers’ Party.

Penb, glad to have.

Let’s start with the polls. Early polling seems to suggest the Galaxy is “on your side” in this election. What does the GWP have to offer the Galaxy that your opponents don’t? What’s so attractive about your message?

Well Ari, I'd like to think that we at the GWP are doing well because we offer to the people what was taken from them during the reign of Palpatine - freedom and prosperity. We offer a chance to live as all should, without fear of starvation or unlawful persecution. The bills already passed in the Senate show our progress towards this goal already; we've achieved a galactic minimum wage, we've achieved lawful worker's representation, we've started to stabilise the economy. We are taking a step out of the shadow of the Empire into the light of a new dawn for the galaxy, and we await the coming day where everyone may walk free and prosperous.

Next question—The right wing appears to be quite unified in the run up to the election, raising questions about the left wing and centrist parties and their cohesion. Tell me, does your party plan on contesting the Alliance seat of Bespin?

I believe that the Alliance wishes for many of the same things that we do, and so I don't believe we will contest for their seat. We always need allies in the senate, and Senator Keldor has proven himself to be a righteous man.

As a followup, would you be open to forming a coalition government with Alliance if the election outcome is inconclusive?

Personally, I would. Perhaps some of my party members might feel differently - but I think a coalition would help further both parties in our goals.

Speaking of forming a government, if you are Chancellor after this election concludes, what specific policy goals do your party plan to pursue?

We have to form the government, first, ha! In all seriousness, if we do succeed, we plan to pursue further galactic rights acts in order to improve the lives of workers galaxy-wide. Education, housing, and the like. Stabilising the economy further in order to prevent a depression is another goal; regulating the newly-formed Central Bank, auditing the Commerce Guild and other similar organisations to ensure fair trade.

Lastly, I’m sure you’ve heard the news from the Outer Rim about the emergence of the Nebellia virus? Does the GWP have a plan to mitigate its effects, or even reverse it?

Indeed I have heard the news, and my heart goes out to those who have lost their lives, friends, family, harvests. This is a time where we must not stand alone. Whilst many individual organisations may have been working on a cure, I believe coordinated action is necessary to prevent further spread and cure those already affected. We will attempt to bring about such action in order to prevent widespread collapse of Outer Rim economies. A first step in that direction would be a immediate halt of production of muja, and the formation of a senate-commissioned research team, brought together from across the galaxy, to locate the source of the outbreak and provide much-needed information on its spread. Hopefully, this would help us control it and, I hope, develop a cure. The Outer Rim is just as important to me as the Core, and I want them to know that I care deeply about this issue. Sullust has already sent several aid envoys to key sites in the Outer Rim, and I hope others will follow our lead in order to help those who cannot help themselves.

Thank you, Senator. As always, it was a pleasure. Best of luck on the campaign trail.