NationStates Jolt Archive

8pm news

A'U: Ladies and gentleman, good evening. I'm Tia A'u. Making headlines today are the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections in the Sovereign State of West Ariddia. These results should be treated with caution as voting booths are just closing, but it would appear the Democratic Communist Party has obtained 50.08 % of the vote, thus defeating the ruling Free Democratic Party.

If this were to be confirmed, it would be a historical event with staggering consequences. Let us look back briefly on West Ariddian history. We have Luc Lepetit live from the West Ariddian capital of Aqeyr. Luc?

LEPETIT: Yes, Tia. As a reminder mainly to our overseas viewers, the West Ariddian State first came into being as the result of a unilateral secession of the island of Limea from Ariddia. Our government refused for a long time to recognise the legitimacy of the West Ariddian government, until a few years ago when the Cold War began to die down through the efforts of both governments, and Rêvane formally recognised Aqeyr.

A'U: What can you tell us about West Ariddian politics?

LEPETIT: In form, they're very much like ours. West Ariddia is a parliamentary democracy. The two main parties have always been the Free Democratic Party, which has been in power since secession, and the Democratic Communist Party, modelled after the DCP in power in Ariddia. Election results have always been very, very close between the two, but the FDP has always won. In the last elections before these the FDP won with 50.26 % in the second round. Ah yes, this is the second round of the presidential elections, in which the two parties with the most votes from the first round compete. That's the FDP and the DCP, obviously. The DCP has also come first in the single round of the parliamentary elections.

A'U: So with the electorate so evenly divided, how is it West Ariddia has always followed such an extremely capitalistic path?

LEPETIT: In part as a reaction against former Ariddian rule. The thing is here, the party that wins the elections just needs a majority in parliament to do whatever it wants. The FDP has always been able to form coalitions with small right-wing parties to obtain a majority, and completely ignore the DCP. Which is why it's been able to follow hard-line capitalist policies. Their system isn't like ours where you need a 75% majority in Parliament to get anything done.

A'U: So will the West Ariddian DCP have the majority of Parliament on its side?

LEPETIT: Probably. There are small socially progressive parties who will jump at the chance to see some change in West Ariddia.

A'U: We can expect some drastic changes, then.

LEPETIT: Oh, absolutely. West Ariddia has a very strong economy, but is facing horrific social problems. The market is virtually unregulated. The first signs of panic from the private sector are coming in, as they expect the DCP to conduct a widespread nationalisation of the economy. The new government - again, if it's confirmed the DCP has won, we still have to be cautious - will probably follow the Ariddian path towards communism.

A'U: What about re-unification?

LEPETIT: Well, the DCP candidate, Aurore Rivière, promised during her campaign that she would hold a referendum on the topic if elected.

A'U: Now, there will be new presidential and parliamentary elections in West Ariddia in just five years. So I suppose there's a chance the pendulum might swing back to the FDP at that point?

LEPETIT: Oh, absolutely. In which case there would be radical changes again to bring West Ariddia back to extreme capitalism. It's a very unusual situation we have here, with two major parties which both have rather extreme agenda, and who need to make no concessions to each other when in power.

A'U: Well, thank you Luc. We go live now to the annex building of the Presidential Palace in Aqeyr, where it is customary for both candidates to stand side by side and answer the questions of the international media. We have DCP candidate Aurore Rivière and FDP candidate Simone Anderson. Going live now. . .


OOC: Questions and reactions from the international media more than welcome!

A govement that puts profit before people is no government at all.

OOC: Was that a question/comment by one of your journalists, or a comment by your government?

BUMP

My friend, the communist...

Question from PTBI reporter:

If confirmed in power, would the DCP move towards reunification with Ariddia?

Aurore Rivière, a red-haired woman in her mid forties, turned her head slightly to the journalist and smiled. The question had been inevitable, really.

“Well, if it’s confirmed the DCP has won these elections, my government will definitely favour reunification. But you have to remember there are a number of issues at hand. While we are all Ariddians, sharing centuries of common history and culture, we will not arbitrarily disband the West Ariddian State, which has also evolved in recent years to develop a distinct national identity. And of course there is much to be done to bring West Ariddia up to Ariddia’s level in terms of, for example, social rights. I am sure my fellow West Ariddian citizens have a variety of views on the topic, and this government will welcome debate.” She paused. “Which is why I fully intend to stand by my promise for a national referendum. And we will be talking to the Ariddian government, and of course to the international community. Does that answer the question on reunification?”

"Oh great! More broke Ariddians."

Minister in charge of short comments on foreign affairs.

"Ariddians are not broke! They are... financially challenged."
- the Secretary for the Economy

[And a BUMP]

BUMPS it.

8pm news

This is the eight o’clock news, and I’m Tia A’u. Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. The victory of the Democratic Communist Party in the West Ariddian parliamentary and presidential elections has been confirmed. DCP presidential candidate Aurore Rivière was elected yesterday with 50.07 % of the vote.

Ms. Rivière will be taking office in a matter of days, and has already announced what her government’s priorities will be. The new communist government will focus on re-instating social rights and, in Ms. Rivière’s words, “ensuring all West Ariddians benefit from decent living conditions”. The environment will also be a major concern, with strict environmental protection laws being brought in “as quickly as possible”.

Sparking anger amidst FDP-supporters and the private sector, Ms. Rivière has confirmed that taxes will rise to fund social rights, and that nationwide nationalisation of the economy will begin as soon as she takes office. There have been demonstrations throughout the country against the alleged “communist catastrophe”, leading to spontaneous counter-demonstrations in favour of the new regime.

There have been few comments so far from foreign governments, but the Ariddian Prime Secretary has extended his warmest congratulations to the new president, and has applauded this “return to compassion in West Ariddia”.

8pm news

A'U: In other news, the new West Ariddian government has begun implementing the policies they had promised during their campaign. Nationalisation of the government is underway, amidst huge protests from capitalist-inclined citizens. Emergency laws have been brought in to protect the environment. President Rivière has declared there are many priorities to be delt with at once, and promises that all people currently living in West Ariddia will have housing and a job within the shortest possible delays.

Reportedly, thousands of West Ariddians are fleeing the country and are seeking asylum in capitalist nations. Likewise, a number of people who had left West Ariddia just after secession are now moving back into their homeland. The situation is rather chaotic here, but the government, our reporters in Aqeyr indicate, appears to be coping.