10 Changes in the Party

When Weber walked out of the office, Ernest took the seat at the head of the table. It was what you call a coup d'etat. Without any violence, just a simple vote of confidence, Ernest had risen to the top of the Crentian Workers Party. As he settled into the chair, the rest of the room still buzzed with the aftermath of the vote. The tension had lifted somewhat, but there was an unmistakable sense of urgency in the air. Ernest looked around at the faces of his colleagues—some relieved, others apprehensive—and knew the real work was about to begin.

"Thank you, everyone, for your trust," Ernest began. "The path ahead won't be easy, and I will need each and every one of you to ensure our party not only survives but thrives."

He paused, allowing his gaze to meet those of his fellow leaders. "We stand at a crucial juncture. The merger proposal might have seemed like a shortcut to power, but we know our strength lies in our principles, not just in political convenience. We will expand our influence, but on our terms, without losing sight of why we started."

Ernest leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. "Now, let's get back to work. Our first order of business is to protect establishments where I conduct my speeches. Lately, there has been a rise of hecklers and disruption from groups opposed to our agenda. These disturbances threaten the safety of our gatherings and stifle our message," Ernest explained, his voice firm. 

"I experienced such violence firsthand when I was speaking at the Beer Hall last week," Ernest continued. "That incident was not just an attack on me but on the values we uphold. It is clear that we are up against forces that wish to see us fail."

He surveyed the room, noting the nods of agreement. "To effectively manage and prevent these disruptions, I propose we establish a security force dedicated to maintaining order during our events. This force will be trained in de-escalation techniques and crowd control to ensure that our gatherings remain safe and constructive."

Ernest's proposal was met with immediate interest. "We'll need volunteers from within the party who are committed and capable. They must be men 18 years old and above and physically fit. Mr. Kleist, I will leave that matter of selecting and organizing these volunteers to you. Please start the recruitment process immediately."

Kleist nodded in agreement, jotting down notes. "Consider it done."

"Then of course that security force must have a uniform," Ernest added. "Perhaps partnering with a fashion company could help us achieve a professional and uniform appearance."

As the room murmured with approval at this idea, one person raised his hand. Ernest turned his gaze to the man, curious about his input.

"Yes?" Ernest inquired.

The man stood, revealing his poised demeanor. "My name is Daniel Neumann, and I own a fashion shop here in Crentia," he announced. "I've been following the developments of this party closely, and I believe in what you stand for. I'd like to offer my services to design and produce uniforms for your security force, as well as for the party members."

Ernest assessed Daniel thoughtfully, intrigued by the offer. "That's a generous proposal, Mr. Neumann. What kind of designs and materials are you considering?"

Daniel smiled slightly, "I propose high-quality, durable materials suited for the activities of a security force—something comfortable yet commanding presence. For the party uniforms, I can design something that is sophisticated. It will be practical for daily activities and special events."

"Well, submit your design to me first and then we will fund the production of those uniforms. I believe we still have funds remaining, Mr. Hoffman?"

Ernest turned to Emil Hoffman, who managed the party's finances. 

Hoffman nodded. "Yes, we have allocated funds for operational enhancements, including uniforms. We can cover the costs for initial production based on the designs and quantity Mr. Neumann proposes."

"That sounds excellent," Ernest responded, satisfied. He then addressed Daniel Neumann again, "Please prepare your designs and a detailed cost estimate. Present them at our next meeting. We're looking forward to seeing what you come up with."

Daniel nodded, a slight smile crossing his face. "Thank you, Mr. Teucher. I'll ensure everything is ready by next week."

As Daniel sat down, Ernest refocused on the rest of the room. "Moving forward, our focus must not only be on internal security but also the brand of the party. I noticed that we don't even have a logo or an iconography that captures our essence. A symbol that can represent our values and mission."

Ernest then reached into his briefcase and pulled out a folded piece of paper. As he unfolded it, he laid it flat on the table for everyone to see. The paper displayed a design of a swastika."

"This," Ernest announced, pointing to the design, "is a proposal for our party's new symbol. This symbol, which I propose we call the 'Swastika,' represents peace 

and unity, core values of our movement. Each arm of the design reaches outward, symbolizing our outreach and our commitment to drawing the nation together under these principles."

The room grew quiet as members examined the design, considering its implications and the message it conveyed. Ernest watched their faces, aware of the importance of their acceptance.

"It's more than just a logo; it's a declaration of our identity and our intentions," he continued. "It will be on our flags, our uniforms, and every piece of promotional material. It's crucial that this symbol becomes synonymous with our cause."

There was a moment of silence as the weight of the decision settled over the room. Then, one by one, nods began around the table—a signal of agreement and support.

"We will be the first political party in Crentia who adopt a logo and a uniform as part of our identity. This will set us apart and help solidify our message to the people. Making them want to become a part of the team. Now, if you don't have any concerns whatsoever, we can conclude the meeting and begin the preparations immediately. Thank you all for your contributions today."

With that, the meeting was adjourned. Members of the party began to disperse, some staying behind to discuss the new changes with enthusiasm, while others approached Ernest to express their personal support and readiness to help implement the new initiatives.