NationStates Jolt Archive

The First Minister, as proscribed by the Constitution, has sent to His Imperial Majesty, requesting that such writs be issued as required for General Election. His Imperial Majesty has seen fit to issue such writs.

The University of Arn-Maciska (Research School of Social Sciences) is running a survey of the international community, to find out the varying opinions held by various foreign governments.

The survey will be run for a few RL days, and the results of the survey will be announced to the general public after the General Election has taken place. UAM must stress that this is an opinion poll only.

UAM(RSSS) has compiled a list of the leading parties and candidates, as well as a point-by-point explanation of their platforms.

Note: The "Approval rating" is an aggregate of people who answered "yes" to the questions "would you support this party for government?" and "would you support this person as First Minister?" It is not a multi-party-preferred poll.
Secretariat of State for the Electoral Commission would remind all nations that contributions to campaigns by foreigners or foreign governments/corporations is illegal under Imperial electoral law.

The Candidates;

Imperial Party
Current leader; First Minister Elgiva deMa'iska.
International Relations (IR) stance: Adaptive isolationist
Position on Civil Rights: the current situation is satisfactory; we must preserve their status.
Position on Political Rights: the current situation is satisfactory; we must preserve their status.
Position on Economy: Economic growth should be promoted, within current parameters
Position on Military: the military should be orientated towards Defence, but able to adapt as needed
Level of Support: Joined with the Greens to enjoy a majority in the Representatives and Lords, enjoys a majority in own right in Deputies
Public opinion; Moderate-High approval ratings (about 75%)
Remarks: Incumbent party in government for two consecutive terms, running for a third 4-year term. Advocates continuing current policies and programs. Enjoys high popularity.

Macisikani Greens
Current leader; Tribune Sam Lyneham.
International Relations (IR) stance: isolationist.
Position on Civil Rights: the current situation is satisfactory; we must preserve their status..
Position on Political Rights: the current situation is satisfactory; we must preserve their status.
Position on Economy: economic development should be promoted, but not at the expense of the environment.
Position on Military: the military should be orientated towards Defence
Level of Support: Joined with Imperial Party to enjoy a majority in Lords and Representatives, no M.P.'s in Deputies.
Public opinion; Moderate approval ratings (about 55%)
Remarks: Party is joined in coalition with the Imperials to form the Government. Advocates a policy primarily focused on Environmental issues.

Conservative Party of Macisikan
Current leader; Bishop Serpens Aldir, M.P.
International Relations (IR) stance: Adaptive Internationalist
Position on Civil Rights: civil rights have gone too far and should be rolled back.
Position on Political Rights: Political rights are fine as they stand.
Position on Economy: Economic growth at any cost
Position on Military: the military should be orientated towards force projection
Level of Support: Sizeable minority in Representatives and shrinking minority Lords, no M.P.'s in Deputies
Public opinion; Moderate-low approval ratings (about 30%)
Remarks: The current main opposition party. Support collapsed when the Merchant's Alliance re-formed three years ago.

Party for Progress
Current leader; Abigail Kadrin.
International Relations (IR) stance: Neutral internationalist
Position on Civil Rights: the current situation is satisfactory; we must preserve their status.
Position on Political Rights: Political rights are still too limited; the power of the House of Lords should be curtailed.
Position on Economy: Economic growth is good, but not at the expense of the common citizen.
Position on Military: the military should be orientated towards Defence, but with interventionist ability.
Level of Support: 2 members of Lords, no M.P.'s in Deputies or Representatives
Public opinion; Moderate approval ratings (about 45%)
Remarks: A new party that is polling high in the province of Ivek-Agara. Advocates a more involved stance on international affairs.

Merchant's Alliance
Current leader; Dulé Hoines, M.P.
International Relations (IR) stance: neutral active internationalist
Position on Civil Rights: the current situation is satisfactory.
Position on Political Rights: the current situation is satisfactory.
Position on Economy: Economic growth and ties with foreign nations should be promoted
Position on Military: the military should be orientated towards Defence, with a focus on convoy and trade protection.
Level of Support: Minor support in Lords, minor support in Representatives, no M.P.'s in Deputies.
Public opinion; Moderate approval ratings (about 35%)
Remarks: Primary emphasis on economic growth; has displaced Conservative party members in several provinces.

National Party
Current leader; Josiah Igin.
International Relations (IR) stance: Active Internationalist
Position on Civil Rights: unclear
Position on Political Rights: unclear
Position on Economy: Advocates promotion of Imperial business interests, and the small business community.
Position on Military: the military should be orientated towards overseas intervention
Level of Support: No M.P.'s in any chamber
Public opinion; Low approval ratings (about 15%)
Remarks: An unknown party which advocates active Imperial involvement in overseas matters, and little else. Has leached support from the Conservatives.

OOC: bump...
IC:
You are watching MNB News

"...more on that later.

Campaigning has kicked off in the Central provinces today, with First Minister deMa'iska unveiling the Imperial Party's Education policy in a speech to supporters in Arn-Arakhan. The First Minister has called for more teachers in better schools across the Empire, and for higher standards in tertiary education.

The Greens have announced they will reveal their environmental policy platform tomorrow in Aldet, while Conservative Leader Aldir has been visiting supporters in the far north.

Party for Progress Leader Kadrin arrived in Valden this morning, and it is believed she will open her campaign tomorrow with the announcement of the Party's foreign policy.

A storm off the coast of..."

OOC: Another bump...
IC:
You are watching MNB News

"... will continue tomorrow.

The Party for Progress has announced a wide-ranging foreign policy platform in Valden. Their main points include a greater disclosure to the outside world, calling for the abandonment of the government's practice of silence, greater Imperial involvement with foreign matters, and active pursuit of trade and dialogue with foreign countries, aimed at ending the Empire's self-imposed isolationism. The External Affairs Minister, Justina Valdir, will announce the Imperial Party's policy later today.

The Greens have announced their environmental policy platform in Aldet, with very few surprises; the Greens are calling for stricter pollution standards, and cleaner industrial methods. However they've pushed the novel argument that such methods, as well as being good for the environment are good for industry as they promote efficiency and increase production. Industry leaders have cautiously welcomed the proposals.

Conservative Party Leader Aldir spoke at a conference of fundraisers and supporters, calling for a return to morals and values held by our forefathers. The Conservatives plan to unveil their own foreign policy tomorrow.

Merchant's Alliance leadership announced they will deliver their own foreign policy tomorrow in Vas-Intan. The MA has been campaigning in local areas across the nation.

Full details on the campaigns will be given later tonight.

In good news for ..."

OOC: Bump, becuase I'm attention w---e. No MNB broadcast this time; I'm too lazy.

"...welcome back to RNN. We're joined in the studio by the Honourable, VicePresident Aptiva. Welcome Madame Vice President"

"Good morning, Sarah..."

"Madame Vice President, many here in Rotovia have their eyes on the General Elections in Macisikan. What do these elections mean to Rotovia?"

"Well Macisikan and Rotovia are very closely intertwined economically, politicallly & in recent years socially. So obviously a pro-diplomatic government that support stability is in our best interests..."

"Will the government be supporting any perticular party in this election?"

"Of course we have enjoyed a long and mutually benificial relationship with the current administration and stability is always a valuable diplomatic asset. However, it is highly inapropriate for us to comment on a nother nation's elections and I wish the Macisikani people all the luck in having their voices heard through an electoral process"

"Unfortunately, Madame Vice President, that's all we have time for... next up The President's alleged meeting with Lord Dreadfire, is the administration softening it's opposition to AMF?"

OOC: relax, I'm almost done.
IC:
You are watching MNB News
"... predicted to be a close race.

First Minister Elgiva deMa'iska, together with Imperial Party candidates, unveiled the Imperial Party's financial policy platform today in Arn-Arakhan, promising "full attention to local problems, and a fairer, brighter, future for us all."

Conservative Party Leader Aldir has announced his party's foreign policy will be aimed at strengthening international alliances, intervention, and expansion of Imperial interests.

The Merchant's Alliance leadership has launched their foreign policy platform, and as expected, they concentrate primarily on promoting trade with other nations.

Progressives and Greens, along with the Nationals, spent the day campaigning on local issues.

And we'll be covering this in full in the election coverage special later tonight.

A tropical storm is approaching..."

OOC: Just one more...
IC:
You are watching MNB News
"Good morning, and welcome to MNB News.

Polls opened today across the nation for the people to cast their votes. In Arn-Maciska High School, The King-Emperor and Queen-Empress cast their votes this morning.

cut to a typical high school gym; there are a set of booths hidden behind curtains at the far end, and a line of padlocked wooden boxes attended by electoral officials; from one of the booths emerges a young woman wearing a dark dress and a laurel wreath; the press corps and attendees applaud

"Your Majesty, can you tell us who you voted for?"

She laughs light-heartedly, and pushes the sheaf of voting papers she's holding into a wooden box
"No John; I was just doing my makeup."

from the curtained area a handsome youth emerges, wearing an expensive suit and a laurel wreath; he's holding a folded voting paper in his hands; the press applauds and his wife moves to stand next to him.
"Your Majesty, can you tell us who you voted for?"

The young man laughs, and shakes his head
"Now Jessica, you know if I said I voted for the "Party Party Party" Party, they'd get two-thirds of the vote. Nah, I'm not gonna tell you."

"How do you plan to spend the rest of the day?"

The Queen laughs "Oh you know, the usual, lounging around, eating peeled grapes, cooking books..." she breaks off laughing as her husband elbows her. "Seriously, I'll be spending the day with the kids, this rascal -" she nudges her husband "- and we'll be monitoring that storm in the far north."
The Royal Guardsmen start to close around the couple as they move towards the doors

"Thank you your Majesties."

They wave and exit the building
[cut back to the anchor]

"The polls in the Eastern Terran Domain have been open for an hour, and only a few percent of the votes have been cast; polls on the off-worlds opened at the same time, and will remain open for the next eleven hours. Because of the off-world time differentials, we will not have a definitive result until tomorrow, but should be able to accurately predict the results a few hours after polls close on Earth.

"Unseasonable cold is predicted for ..."

You are watching MNB, a special broadcast

"Good evening. Polls have now closed across the Empire, and the Electoral Commission has ironed out the kinks in the counting systems that delayed the results from the last election, and are ready to call it. But first, let's turn to the UAM survey results.

A hand from off-screen hands the anchor a sheet of paper; he reads from it.

"A total of 23 governments expressed support for the various parties;
The Imperial Party, the incumbents, were endorsed by 5 governments,
The Conservatives were endorsed by 4 governments
The Merchant Alliance was endorsed by 3 governments
The Greens were endorsed by 1 government
The National Party was endorsed by 1 government
The Party for Progress was favoured by 6 governments
And 3 governments were undecided or expressed interest in other candidates.

"And interesting mix of results there. Some surprises, some expected. One of the most interesting things we found was how few old faces were among the crowd; of the governments listed, only Rotovia, the Ottoman Khaif, and Vrak have had interactions with the Empire before... good to hear from these other nations though. And we'll be publishing the full results in the Quarterly Journal, which will be put out next month, and be distributed from our Embassies in foreign nations or from the University Publications Office direct."

The anchor pauses looking at someone behind the camera...

"And we've just received word that the final results of the Domestic polls are about to be released to the public; party leaders were informed of the final results two hours ago, giving them enough time to indicate whether they shall form alliances. We now cross live to the Imperial Palace, where Duke Louis Si'Anak, the Lord Chancellor, shall read the results."

[cuts to a head-and-shoulders of an older distinguished looking man, wearing a suit that would not have looked out of place in the early 1900's, complete with the chimney hat. He is surrounded by people wearing clothing of a similar cut, with marble steps and columns visible in the background]

Duke Louis Si'Anak, Lord Chancellor of the Privy Council

"People of Macisikan, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, and friends abroad, it give me great pleasure to read the election results as follows; The Imperial Party, has received 45.3% of the vote, giving them 272 seats: The Merchants' Alliance, 19.8% of the vote; 119 seats: The Greens have received 16.3% of the vote, 98 seats: The Party for Progress has received 11.3% of the vote, giving them 68 seats, The Conservative Party received 2%, 12 seats, and there are three Independents. There are 600 seats in the House of Representatives, and these percentages have been rounded to the nearest tenth.
"The Greens and the Imperial Party have informed me that they shall continue to hold to their coalition within the House of Representatives. The Merchants' Alliance has aligned itself with the Party for Progress; this coalition has displaced the Conservative Party as the Opposition in the House of Representatives, and Lord Aldir has conceded the same position in the House of Lords.
"These results and arrangements have been confirmed as true and accurate by the electoral commission in the Presence of the King-Emperor, before the judges, in Council.
The old man pauses and adjusts his wire-frame spectacles
"The Curule Census has been conducted in the House of Lords, and it is confirmed that the Imperial Party maintains its majority in that House in coalition with the Greens and several independents. The Party for Progress has joined the government in the House of Lords; the Merchant's Alliance, in coalition with several independents has replaced the Conservatives as the Opposition Party. The Clerk of the House of Deputies has recorded no shift among the members of that chamber.
"And therefore it pleases His Imperial Royal Majesty to invite the Imperial Party to re-form a government in the House of Representatives, in coalition with the Greens, and in the House of Lords with the Greens and Party for Progress. God Save the King-Emperor!"

Cut back to the anchor, who blinks, then presses his hand to his earpiece.
"Curious but not unheard of; Progressional M.P.'s in the Reps have joined the Opposition, while their counterparts in the Lords have crossed the floor to join the Government. The Merchant's Alliance will form the core of the Opposition Party, but as expected the Conservative Party has collapsed; Lord Aldir will likely resign from politics this week, and the Party will likely reform itself. The Nationals have not committed to either side, but it is likely they will enter into Opposition in the Lords, and remain neutral in the Reps.

"Results will be announced for the Provincial elections in about an hour by the Governors. Analysts and exit polls are predicting the assemblies to be handed to minority governments thanks to the proportional representation system in use; the cores of these governments are expected to be formed out of the Imperials, the Progressives and the Merchants.

So what does this result mean for the Empire? Well, let's ask that of Dr. Richard Warhurst, from our Research School of Social Sciences, and head of the Political science wing here at UAM. Dr. Warhurst, good evening.

An older man, thin, with tanned skin and steel grey hair smiles and nods in reply.
"Good evening Jake. It's good to be here."

"Dr. Warhurst, what do you think this result means for the Empire?"

"Well Jake, I think we'll see only a few major policy shifts. deMa'iska still commands a majority in all three houses of Parliament, and she's got a monopoly on the House of Deputies."

"Why such strong support among the Deputies Dr.?"

"Probably because she used to be one of them, and she's the first Deputy to make First Minister since 1843; they're very proud of her," the doctor answers with a smile.

"So what policy shits can we expect?"

"I'd say mainly in the area of Foreign Policy. With the MA and the Progressives forming the opposition in the Reps, we can expect them to push for more involvement, less isolationism; the Progressives will likely make similar pushes in the Lords. While there will be a little more engagement, we can expect our neutralist stance to remain unaltered; only the Conservatives were pushing for a change here, and the electorate rejected that. We can probably expect a few new embassy exchanges, non-aggression pacts, trade agreements, that sort of thing."

"What about the Humanitarian Aid project? I noticed that most parties were carefully side-stepping that issue..."

"Ah, now that's a prickly issue. Humanitarian Aid is only going to be handed out to those who ask for it; the mood among the electorate is that we're not going to go handing out band-aids to foreigners and being told to mind our own business as thanks. I have numbers on that by the way; if foreigners want our help, they'll have to ask nicely, and we're reserving the right to say no."

"What about domestically?"

"I don't think we can expect much change on the Domestic front; the only difference between the parties making up the ruling coalition is that the Progressives want the Lords' power curtailed, and that simply isn't going to happen."

"Can we expect a change in defence policy?"

Dr. Warhurst laughs
"Now Jake, even if they do change, this is deMa'iska; what makes you think that you or I or anyone outside of the government will be told? It's not that they classify it or some such nonsense, it's just that they don't bother telling anyone."

"That's all we have time for tonight I'm afraid. Thank you Dr. Warhurst."

"Thank you Jake."

The anchor turns to face the camera.

"Dr. Warhurst will be on a special Post-Election Analysis tomorrow morning along with other political experts including the Lord Chancellor. That's airing at 10 tomorrow morning, and will be repeated on MNB4 tomorrow evening at 8.

"Thank you for joining us with this special Election Night release, and thanks to MNB for allowing us to use their air time. We'll now hand over to them, and they'll take you live to the victory celebrations being held at Imperial Party HQ. Good night."

"...the House will come to order"

A camera pans across the daunting marble room, face of men and woman waving various documents from ornate podiums slowly relax as the Speaker's gable bangs loudly.

"...Senator Julia Aptiva, the Vice President has the floor..."

"Thank you, Mr Speaker. The President wishes to offer is congradulations to the Imperial Party of Macisikan and to it's people. It is his hope that now, as in the past, the relationship between our nations continues to flurish and endure..."

"Does the Vice President yeild the floor...?"

"I do, Mr Speaker..."

"Next matter of interest... the House of Patricians has called for Areopagus Council to rule on the status of the Synod of Churches. By a raise of hands who favours the passing of this Resolu..."

The First Minister and her colleagues wish to thank the Rotovian President and Vice-President for their message, and are pleased to continue to work with the government of that nation towards further prosperity for us both.

- The First Ministry

To: The First Minister - Macisikan
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: Elections

We would like to offer the blessing of the Great Bok upon the First Minister and the House. While we rarely, if ever, offer commentary upon the political climate and make up of another nation's governing body, we believe that your current ruling party most closely align our interests.

At your convenience, we would like to invite the First Minister, or other senior high officials if the First Minister is unavailable, to enjoy the hospitality of the Klatch.

OOC: Putting a seed in your brain to think about for now. Busy right now but perhaps sooner or later?

To: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
From: Klatchian Office, Ministry of External Affairs
Subject: RE: Elections

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Premier of the House of Deputies, and the Archduke of the House of Lords join with the First Minister and her colleagues in thanking the Glorious Kingdom of Vrak for their kind worlds.

His Imperial Majesty's Government wishes it to be known that Her Excellency the First Minister would be pleased to accept the kind invitation of the Vrakian leadership to visit the Klatch.

Regrettably this cannot take place in the immediate future as Her Excellency must finalise certain details of government in the post-election period. However, we are able to make such necessary arrangements for two points in the near future; one three weeks from this day, the second two weeks thereafter. As you are the hosts, we feel that you would better be able to determine the optimal date.

- Baroness Sophronsa Aryet, Rechtaire in charge of Klatchian Relations, Ministry of External Affairs

OOC: Consider it planted.