NationStates Jolt Archive

[OOC: This is an open thread, please feel free to jump in]

"Good evening, this is Kimberly Dennis, and welcome to Election Night Special here on TBC. The polls are closed and the votes are cast across Transpontia's 141 counties, and in a few short hours we'll know if you have returned the embattled Civic Democrat government to a fifth term in power or if Transpontia has decided it's time for a change. Over to Howard for a look at the background."

"Thanks Kim. For years, these programmes were dull to do; the CivDems would take 60% or more, the others would be swept away. But anger and frustration with the government has been rising over the past couple of years, especially thanks to President Yolanda Maximme's extremely business-friendly policies and Transpontia's apparent impotence on the world stage. Also, a wide rift has opened in the CivDems themselves; the left is calling for social reforms and the right is desperate to retain power within the party.

"To the right of the CivDems is the Founders' Party, who would push for even greater freedom for business and a far more proactive foreign policy. To the left is the Socialist Alliance, which would roll back Maximme's pro-business policies and engage with like-minded states around the world.

"This election really is a test of how Transpontia sees itself - capitalist or socialist? Pacifist or interventionist? Or more of the same?

"With campaigning bitter and in some cases violent, this is the most thrilling election in years.

"Back to you, Kim."

[OOC: This is going to be an extremely messy and contested election. Basically, massive fraud will be involved by one side or another, and if foreign powers want to get involved, all the more fun. I haven't decided the outcome yet, but I reserve the right to do so.]

Reinhard (The Fuhrer) sat in the Reichstag watching the large flat plasma screen television several feet away. He picked up the remote, switched the TV off after hearing the news.

"Der Gott, not another bloody socialist regime," He spoke aloud, yet to himself. He reached over, grasping a memo pad and a pen. The Fuhrer quickly jotted down an order and buzzed for the secretary to come in. He handed the paper to her and she turned. Several feet outside of the door, she read the note: KSS First was all it said...

Secret: Komitee Fur Staatliche Sicerheit HQ:
Konstantin got the memo, for he was head of the KSS (Committee For State Security). He was incharged of all of the operations within. He sent out a quick order, mobilising two operatives from the First Cheif Directorate (The Foreign Affairs, espionage, assassination, etc. department). They were to mingle into the Transpontian society upon a single telephone call. The ploy was they were two brothers over-seeing a construction project within one of the Transportian cities. The planes were ready to take them once the Fuhrer ordered so. They would spend up to two weeks in the foreign land, and if the socialists won, they may plan an assassination... But no one, not even the Fuhrer was shure as of yet what to do..

"How's it looking, Kim?"

"Well, the first counties to report are the urban areas along the coast and in the industrial massifs, and we're seeing CivDem support slip there away towards both opposition parties ... some of the coastal counties are coming out strong for Founders' Party free-trade policies, but the inner cities and mining communities are turning Red. It looks like the Civs might have to go into a coalition, but it's still not clear who with."

"Dramatic developments here, Kim, as it seems there's a socialist surge in the mountains, but the right-wing Founders are taking more and more suburban and rural districts. At this rate, the CivDems will be lucky to pick up 40% of the final seats, and that means a coalition, and probably a left-leaning one at that."

"Sorry to contradict you there Howard, but the right is already claiming electoral fraud with only 35% of the results in. They're claiming Socialist Alliance members have been closing polling booths and using intimidation in some mountain mining communities and in the inner cities -what makes them say this so soon is unclear, but ..."

"Have to cut you off, Kim, Khariar South, one of the battleground districts, has just declared a whopping 68% majority for the Founders - that's up from a Founders showing of 21% to a CivDem majority of 60% in the last election. Huge swing there, and that means Khariar county, our capital, is almost certain to fall into Founder hands ... huge victory there for the Founders."

"That's one of the trial districts for the electronic voting systems, isn't it?"

"I think so, but we're cutting now to the Founders headquarters in Khariar ..."

"Another fresh batch of results here Howard and it's really changing the scenery. For a start it looks like Oxford, the second city, is keeping firmly CivDem - no repeat there of the big swing in Khariar. But the results from the foothills, traditionally Founders country, are astonishing - a steady 20% swing across all 20 piedmont counties, wiping out what I think the right-wingers considered to be a safe base, and it's the Reds' turn to celebrate. This could be their night."

"I can't make head nor tail of these results, Kim. What's going on?"

Search me, Howard, but the pattern's becoming clear. If these results go uncontested - and something tells me they won't - we're going to have a Senate makeup that looks like this:

CivDems: 39% (-22%)
Socialist Alliance: 18% (+11%)
Founders: 14% (-2%)

That's a massive blow to the Founders, even after they've taken Khariar, and a huge success for the Reds. It's now down to furious politicking as counts are contested and the CivDems attempt to shore up a coalition that will take them into a fifth term. It could go either way.