Galilea Montijo
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 Who's Who of Oportia | |
| Galilea Montijo | |
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| Photo of Galilea Montijo | |
| Full Name | Galilea Mariela Isabel Montijo (nee Beaujolais) |
| Parents |
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| Spouse | Albert Montijo (m. 1695 AN) |
| Children | |
| Birth Date | 17.XIII.1670 AN |
| Birth Place | Punta Santiago,  Alduria
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| Occupation | Politician, Economist, Lawyer |
| Residence | Port Félix, Oportia
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| Political Affiliation |
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| Known For | Advocacy for deregulation, economic liberalization, and limited government intervention |
| Citizenship | Oportia Nouvelle Alexandrie
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Early life and education
Galilea Mariela Isabel Montijo was born on 17.XIII.1670 AN in Punta Santiago, Alduria, to Angelina Beaudry, a local school teacher, and Francois Beaujolais, a civil servant in the nascent Aldurian Republic. Growing up in a politically aware household, Montijo was introduced to discussions on politics, law, economics, and social sciences from a young age, which sparked her passion for these subjects. She was particularly influenced by her father's dedication to public service and her mother's commitment to education, which instilled in her the values of civic duty and the importance of contributing to society.
For her higher education, Montijo attended the prestigious University of Punta Santiago, where she pursued a dual degree program in Economics and Law. Her academic journey was marked by excellence; she graduated summa cum laude in 1692 AN, with her thesis on "The Role of Liberty in Promoting Social Mobility" receiving high praise from her professors and her peers. During her time at university, she was also active in student politics and theatrical groups, blending her academic pursuits with her passion for acting and public speaking. Montijo's university years were transformative, providing her with a solid foundation in economic theory and legal principles, as well as honing her abilities in communication and leadership. She received several academic honors, including the Chancellor's Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement and the Dean's Award for Leadership in Student Governance.
During her time at the University of Punta Santiago, Montijo was not only distinguished in her academic pursuits but also in her extracurricular activities, especially in the university's theater group. It was here that she met her future husband, Albert Montijo, a fellow student studying film and journalism. Albert shared her passion for public service and her belief in the importance of economic freedom and minimal government intervention. Their shared interests and beliefs quickly led to a deep personal and intellectual bond. The couple married shortly after their graduation in 1695 AN. Albert has been a constant supporter of Galilea's political and professional endeavors, providing a stable foundation for her ambitious career.
Early career
Economist and Legal Advocate
After graduating in 1692 AN, Montijo quickly established herself as a prominent economist and legal advocate in Punta Santiago, Alduria. She joined the Institute for Economic Freedom, an influential think tank, where she contributed to research and policy papers advocating for free-market policies, deregulation, and minimal government intervention. Her notable publication, "The Path to Prosperity: Embracing Laissez-Faire Economics," published in 1694 AN, argued convincingly for deregulation and minimal government intervention in the economy. Montijo also practiced law at the prestigious Beaujolais and Partners law firm from 1695 AN to 1700 AN, specializing in commercial law and economic legislation, where she was instrumental in championing property rights and economic freedom for entrepreneurs and businesses.
Actress and Model
Montijo's foray into the entertainment industry began in 1696 AN, with her participation in a local theater production. Despite her initial role in a contemporary play receiving mixed reviews, Montijo's resilience led her to explore other avenues within the industry. She found considerable success in modeling, where her distinct appearance and charisma caught the attention of fashion industry scouts. By 1698 AN, Montijo had become a prominent figure in modeling, featuring in high-profile campaigns for brands like "Lausanne Couture" in 1699 AN and the prestigious House of Auchincloss' "Beau Chevalier" campaign in 1700 AN. Her modeling work was acclaimed for its elegance and sophistication, significantly boosting her profile and setting the stage for further opportunities in acting and beyond. In 1697 AN, Montijo starred in the theatrical production "Shadows of Freedom," a period drama set in a turbulent era of political upheaval. The play followed the life of Marianne Deschamps, a fiery revolutionary leader advocating for democratic reforms against a despotic regime. Montijo's portrayal of Deschamps was universally praised for its depth, intensity, and emotional resonance, earning her critical acclaim and solidifying her status as a formidable talent in theatre. This breakthrough role paved the way for her subsequent success in both acting and modeling. Montijo's acting career reached greater heights with her role in the popular Oportian television series "Ma Vie, Mon Coeur" in 1701 AN, which was a romantic story that was both critically and commercially successful in Oportia, Constancia, and Nouvelle Alexandrie].
Life in Oportia
In 1720 AN, after establishing a successful career in Alduria, Galilea, along with her husband Albert and their children, moved to Oportia. They initially settled in Vanie, the capital, but soon found their permanent home in the bustling southeastern port city of Port Félix. The move was influenced by Albert's career opportunities in Oportia's growing film and television industry, where he was offered a position as a director for OpoTVE, a major Oportian television network. This transition marked a significant change in Montijo's professional life; she decided to take a hiatus from her work as an economist and legal advocate to focus entirely on her acting career.
Montijo's arrival in Oportia coincided with a surge in the Oportian entertainment industry's regional and global influence. The stunning success of her television series "Ma Vie, Mon Coeur," which aired from 1701 AN to 1724 AN, catapulted her into international stardom. The series, a sweeping romantic saga set against the backdrop of Oportia's picturesque landscapes and historic city-states, resonated deeply with audiences, both domestically and internationally. Galilea's portrayal of the strong-willed and passionate protagonist, Elena Vásquez, earned her critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. This role, distinct from her previous work, showcased her versatility as an actress and cemented her status as a household name in Oportia.
Montijo's ability to blend entertainment with advocacy solidified her status as a versatile and influential figure in Oportian society. During her time as an actress and model, she developed a relationship with the governing Conservative Nationalist Party (CNP) (later the Federal Conservative Union of Oportia, FCU, after 1726 AN) resulting in her endorsement of the candidacies of Henri LaCarte in 1722 AN and Gaston Villaspar in 1726 AN, despite Gaston being, according to Galilea, "her nemesis". During their shared time in office, Galilea and Gaston maintained a serious political rivalry as rising stars inside the FCU.
Political career
Montijo's involvement in politics soon escalated beyond endorsement roles. She left "Ma Vie, Mon Coeur" in 1724 AN, when she was recruited by Gaston Villaspar to run for one of the two open Senate seats for Port Félix in the 1726 general elections. In preparation for her campaign, she launched a listening tour through Port Félix, meeting with all different sectors and interests in the city. She won the election with 52.2% of the vote against her closest rival, Jacqueline Ducruet of the Liberal Progressive Party of Oportia, and other candidates. Her charismatic presence and articulate advocacy for economic liberalization made her a powerhouse on the campaign trail.
Senator for Port Félix
Montijo's tenure as Senator for Port Félix, from 1726 AN to 1730 AN, was marked by her outspoken opposition to the majority Liberal Progressive Party of Oportia and the then Federal Representative Céline Beaumont. Montijo's political stance was firmly rooted in her libertarian beliefs and pro-free market principles, which she advocated vigorously within the legislative chambers. Throughout her time in the Senate, Montijo was known for her principled stance against tax increases and government spending. She consistently voted against all proposals for raising taxes and government budgets, arguing that such measures stifled economic freedom and individual entrepreneurship. Her opposition wasn't just vocal; it was also action-oriented. Montijo introduced several legislative proposals aimed at reducing government intervention in the economy and promoting fiscal responsibility.
Among her most notable legislative efforts was the introduction the National Tax Simplification and Compliance Act that sought to drastically reform Oportia's tax system by establishing a flat tax rate for income taxes and abolished the inheritance tax. This proposal was grounded in her belief that a simplified tax system would foster economic growth and fairness. Despite its failure to pass, the bill sparked widespread debate and brought significant attention to Montijo's economic vision. Another ambitious proposal from Montijo was her attempt to overhaul the social services system. Her shadow budgets in 1727 AN and 1728 AN proposed slashing funding for various social services, arguing that the private sector and charitable organizations could more efficiently provide such services. This proposal was met with intense debate, highlighting the ideological divide between Montijo's libertarian views and the more progressive stances of the majority party and Celine Beaumont.
Montijo rose to national political prominence as a vocal supporter of Oportia leaving the Xaiville Convention and instead joining the Raspur Pact and aligning with Natopia and Nouvelle Alexandrie. During the campaign for the 1729 referendum on the subject, she often campaigned noting her intention of aligning Oportia with the "greater Alexandrian diaspora and legacy". Furthermore, her profile rose further as she became an advocate for Alexandrium-driven development for the national economy and her support for Operation Verdant Reach. Her support for the operation aligned with her broader economic principles, emphasizing the role of secure trade lanes in facilitating free market exchanges and economic liberty. However, she came to be a scathing critic of Celine Beaumont and the Federal Cabinet of Oportia's handling of the stalemate at the end of 1729 AN and the losses at the start of 1730 AN. She subjected Beaumont to further criticisms over the developing refugee situation in Eura due to the Bitter Spring, advocating for a declaration to close all borders temporarily and implement biometric access technology for all ports of entry as well as advanced surveillance technology for the border and border communities.
Her work as a prominent pro-Raspur and pro-Operation Verdant Reach figure in the Federal Conservative Union made her a rising star inside of her party, which was grappling with heavy division between pro-Raspur and pro-Xaiville factions. Once more, she was encouraged by her biggest political rival and 1726 FCU Federal Representative nominee, Gaston Villaspar, to run for the nomination on order to deny pro-Xaiville Senator from Pahlavye Lawrence Marchelier the nomination.
1729 FCU primary
Montijo's campaign for Federal Representative of Oportia, launched in XIV.1728 AN, capitalized on her Senate career's momentum. With Celine Beaumont being term limited, she saw a potential opportunity to run for Federal Representative and potentially win the election. Positioning herself as a vigorous opponent to the prevailing political order, Montijo launched a campaign centered on a return to the economic principles she believed were the foundation of Oportia's prosperity during the First Republic, using Alexandrium to fuel national prosperity and development, and securing total victory in Operation Verdant Reach.
Her opponent in the primary, Senator Lawrence Marchelier, announced his candidacy two days after Montijo, positioning himself as the natural leader of the party, advocating an Oportia that has an independent foreign policy, is Xaiville-aligned, and the establishment of Alexandrian Nazarenism as the state religion. Known for his erratic behavior and lengthy (some critics call "unhinged") diatribes, he managed to secure significant support from both sides, with some pro-Raspur voters finding him appealing due to his belief in the supremacy of Alexandrian Nazarenism in Oportia as a state religion.
The primary was characterized by its incredibly negative and personal tone. While both campaigns engaged meaningfully in several key issues on the campaign trail, most public appearances for the candidates were characterized by personal and direct attacks on policy, character, and even - in some instances - looks. Activists from both campaigns would routinely show up at the rival's campaign events, attempting to disrupt them or prevent the candidate from speaking altogether. During a major speech at a rally in Pahlavye, Montijo was heckled by college students wearing "Marchelier For Oportia" t-shirts and carrying large signs with the image of a sandwich, chanting for her to "Get Back To Your Kitchen". Reacting to the students, Montijo yelled, "Why I ought to have someone kick the nuts out of ya, young man, let me tell you..." to the cheers and jeers of the pro-Montijo crowd. zThe crowd assaulted the college students and dragged them off the rally physically, with Montijo yelling from the stage to the cheers of the crowd, "and that's how we'll handle the Constancian refugees too!" These became more and more commonplace at Montijo rallies, with Montijo supporters similarly replying in kind during Marchelier's events and rallies.
In the end, despite garnering significant support and funding, Montijo won less primary votes than Marchelier. During the 1729 FCU Party Convention in 20.XIV.1729 AN, Marchelier entered the convention with significant support and was expected to have a lock on the nomination. A last minute procedural challenge from the convention floor by former prominent staffers from the Montijo campaign led to a massive brawl between the pro-Montijo and pro-Marchelier factions. During the broadcast of the brawl in national television, TV cameras focused on the horrified reaction on Montijo's face and her mouthing the words "Let's go! Let's go!". Montijo and her husband left the convention and nearly two-thirds of the convention's delegates followed behind her, horrified by the violence and chaos of the convention. The convention closed the next day confirming Marchelier as its nominee but straining to meet the quorum necessary until the last minute. The convention and its aftermath formalized a schism in the FCU, leading to the creation by Montijo of the Liberty Now! Movement (LNM).
