"Oh, I do not deny respect, not at all." Dimitri shakes his head quickly. "Having battled a great many of the gym leaders now, I understand that they are nothing less than masters of their field and particular type. But rather..."

Hm. How to explain this. Dimitri shifts in place a bit, arms crossed. "It does make one wonder what actual politicians are like with their own teams."

Does one's skill in Pokemon battling have an effect at all? Does that help them get into office? Are they still expected to be proficient even if it doesn't? Dimitri really does have questions.

Either way... "Still, you are correct. I imagine that has a lot to do with the current predicament, and it is difficult to battle something so culturally ingrained."

Dimitri understands that in some ways, considering the strong religious ties his own country had to the church... no matter his own feelings against it. It was something that was always going to be one of his greater challenges, even if it hadn't all fallen apart.