Ardant du Picq
Ardant du Picq (born 25 November 1965) is a Lech politican, diplomat and museum director who has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2023.
Ardant du Picq MB | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Foreign Affairs (Lech) | |
| Assumed office 18 March 2023 | |
| Chancellor | Brody von Bismarck |
| Preceding | Michael Seratov |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs (Aquitaine) | |
| In office 31 December 2020 – 17 April 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Edward Smith |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 November 1965 Königsberg |
| Political party | Social Unity Party |
| Alma mater | University of Königsberg, Imperial College Cracow |
| Occupation | Diplomat, museum director |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Lech Navy |
| Years of service | 2020-2020, 2022-2022 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Unit | Expeditionary Forces Squadron |
| Commands | Naval Special Forces Command, Flotilla 1, LNS Maximilian |
Early life and education
Du Picq was born 25 November 1965 in Königsberg to a family of French bankers.
He entered the University of Königsberg in 1983 to pursue a degree in economics, gaining his BA in 1986. Unhappy with the direction of his career as dictated by his family, Du Picq completed his MA in art history in the following year and subsequently relocated to the Kingdom of Lech to pursue primary research for his thesis in the subject. By the time he had settled in Gdansk, Du Picq's financial hardships as a young man abroad forced him to look for work whilst he completes his studies. In 1988, Du Picq was employed as a part-time journalist and critic on art and opera for the Gdansk Gazette. A staunch critic of the government's suppression on free art, he became a divisive figure within his field. He lost his job after four months, which Du Picq claims was a political decision.
To escape political persecution, he emigrated to the Kingdom of Lech. In early 2020, Du Picq enrolled at Imperial College Cracow, in order to join the Lech Navy. During his tenure, Du Picq reached the rank of Admiral and Commander of Flotilla 1, after being the Commanding Officer of the LNS Maximilian, a corvette and former flagship. Naval doctrine penned by Du Picq is still used today. This service in the military allowed Du Picq much more financial freedom, and subsequently moved to the newly-established nation of Aquitaine a few months after his retirement.
Civil service in Aquitaine
Initially the Aquitiane Ambassador to the then-Kingdom of Lech, Du Picq was quickly promoted to Minister of Foreign Affairs on 31 December, 2020. Many challenges were presented to Aquitaine in terms of foreign policy, such as gaining respect and recognition on the international scale. He successfully negociated the relaxation of Vindex Nation's travel ban on Aquitaine citizens, as well as established the first diplomatic relations with Lech and Wilden. Along with Ambassador to Lech Laurent Piers, the Aquitaine Ministry of Foreign Affairs designed multiple buildings with the intention of the construction of them in their respective countries as embassies, but they never broke ground. Du Picq resigned on 17 April 2021, after losing interest in his job.
Additionally, Du Picq was the lead architect in a government infrastructure project. After a complete design of Aquitaine, the government was unable to source contractors to construct the Parisian city.
Travels and career in Imperial Lech
Du Picq's resignation from the government of Aquitaine allowed him to travel the world, experiencing different foods and cultures. An acclaimed chef, Du Picq opened his first restaurant 'the SAPPORO' (stylised with capital letters) on ... in Addersfield, Vindex Nation. His vision was to 'expose the Vinish populous to fresh and diverse Japanese food in a luxury setting'. The restaurant launched a smaller, more casual location in Seawall, named 'IZAKAYA by the SAPPORO', which serves similar food in an izakaya setting.
He re-enlisted into the Lech Navy on a more casual part-time basis, with his rank of Admiral reinstated. Du Picq was the Commander of Naval Special Force Command during this time. During his second tenure, Du Picq oversaw Operation Hades, a surveillance operation monitoring the potential threats posed by private military companies. It was at this time that Du Picq joined the Social Unity Party, after their ban was lifted by Emperor Edward I.
Parliamentary career
Du Picq was elected to the Bundestag as a representative for the Social Unity Party (SUP) in January 2023, where the party retained its majority. Though able to keep his position in the Navy and continue as a Member of the Bundestag, he chose to retire in order to solely focus on his parliamentary career. Following the March elections, Du Picq was appointed to Minister of Foreign Affairs as part of the new coallition government of the SUP, Maltese National Party and Lech Weltpolitik Party.
Lech National Museum
Works
Du Picq is a prolific writer.
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