Paul Schermer

Paul Aloysius Maria Schermer was born in Groenslib, Staat Cha'katura, in Vanuku into a family of eight children. His parents had a grocery store in Groenslib. His parents were devout members of the Orthodox Catholic Church, a church which has relatively few members in Vanuku. Being part of a religious minority and a devout Orthodox Catholic family he developed a sense that Orthodox Catholics needed a recognisable face in Vanukese politics. His political consciousness was further raised when he studied economics at the Christian University of Groenslib.

Just after he had completed his studies, his father died (his mother died when Paul was 12), which caused Schermer to inherit the grocery store. Being short on money Schermer was forced to let go of his intent of entering politics and to focus on running the grocery store. In the 3120s he decided to grow his business by taking over grocery stores in the vicinity of Groenslib. By the start of the 3130s he had acquired a small empire of grocery stores all over Cha'katura. Despite the growth of his grocery empire and his wealth, he has remained truthful to the communitarian ideals in which he was raised.

Entering politics
While Schermer was expanding his business, the Partij voor de Bevrijding van het Volk (PBV) had been in power for several years, and by 3120 it had acquired all seats in the Vanukese National Assembly. This situation of absolute power led to increasing arrogance and authoritarian tendencies within the ranks of the PBV, which was encroaching on the rights and concerns of religious Vanukese of all denominations. This development worried Schermer and on 15 April 3137 he and fourteen other Christian Vanukese from all over Vanuku founded the Christendemocratische Volkspartij (CVP), of which Schermer became the first chairman. As a chairman Schermer spoke out against the fact that a 20% cutback initiated by the PBV-led government exempted the office of the head of government from cutbacks, calling the government an assembly of 'fat cats'. He also sharpened the profile of the CVP by introducing plans to restrict abortion and divorce. He also called for a greener economy, as found the PBV neglected the environment.