A private meeting was taking place within the Imperial Duma building the day after the latest SNC TV opinion polls were released. Inside, Prime Minister Daria Shchegolyayeva sat at in the middle of the long table flanked by her ministers and other members of her bloc. Shchegolyayeva made her opening remarks:
Fellow ministers and deputies I want to thank you all for attending this meeting today. As I am sure all of you saw the latest news last night with regards to the opinion polls showing support for our government is up to 73%. This is all thanks to the good work by each and every one of you so please, I wish for you to give each other a round of applause.
Everyone then gave a round of applause before Shchegolyayeva continued:
Now of course the purpose of this meeting was not to simply pat ourselves on the back for doing a good job. Rather these polls present an opportunity for us to do more. As things currently stand, we only have a one seat majority which is not exactly comfortable shall we say. We know what is best for this country, we have carried on the traditions and values of the last 50 years that helped transform Romanovskaya to what it is today. It is quite frankly a danger for the opposition to have as much influence that it has.
Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Eybozhenko interrupts:
I think I can see where this going. Based on the latest opinion polls we call an election to boost our majority?
Shchegolyayeva responds:
Precisely.
Culture Minister Vladimir Slyshchenko voices concern:
Won't it look rather opportunistic, I mean this could really back fire on us.
Of course not, we are in fact giving the people what they want. The people want us to continue to govern and implement our policies which have already proven to work. With the recent budget and the new financial district announced we have a lot of things going for us. Our opposition are weak. Illyushin and his followers simply want to burden the state with welfare programs which most people see through as being bad for the country long term. Yevstigneyev on the other hand is so unhinged he will never be able to get enough support to challenge us.
A number of ministers nod their heads in agreement as there is a brief pause. Shchegolyayeva then continues:
I can assure you that I have no plans to reshuffle the cabinet post election when we do win so there is no need to worry someone else is going to take your jobs.
Slyshchenko remains cautious:
I still have a bad feeling about this.
Shchegolyayeva stares down Slyshchenko:
Minister Slyshchenko, I can sure you we will win. Do you want to know how I am so sure? Its because for my entire 35 year career I have always won. I always strive for more, to do better, and I always achieve that. I always win Slyshchenko. Always.
Shchegolyayeva then turns back to talk to the rest of the group:
Now, who wants to win with me?
The rest of the room raise their hands in an unanimous vote of approval.