NationStates Jolt Archive

Report from the Compadrian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC):

"The final results of the general election have finally come in and they have revealed a result un-expected by virtually every analyst and expert in Compadria. Firstly, that of an election stalemate, as the National-Liberals, widely expected to sweep asides the enfeebled Centre-Coalition, were left as a minority government, with a plurality of votes and seats, but no overall majority. Massive losses were sustained as expected, by the Centre-Coalition, who suffered huge losses in the south-west, north-central and Capital regions. The National-Liberals enjoyed a surge in their vote, but mostly in their heartland areas, the north-east and west. Meanwhile, the Democratic Workers Party were possibly the most disappointed of all the electoral groups, with only very minor gains in seats and votes and a failure to win over 60% of their key target seats.

For the minor parties, success was far more complete: The Greens doubled their seat hall and vote total, whilst the Libertarians enjoyed a small boost in votes but a large proportional gain in seats, nearly, like the Greens, doubling their total number. In a final surprise, the North-West Frontier Party, a group founded three weeks ago as a protest against the slowness of regional devolution, captured the seat of North-West Frontier Province, from the Centre Coalition. Their new consul, Jan Vermeulen, is the first new party member in the Congress of the People for 18 years.

Yet this paled in comparison to the biggest shock of the evening: Compadria has for virtually all its history been a bastion of radicalism, of progressiveness and of social-democracy. "Even the centrists are radicals", it has often been joked. However, this may be about to change, as last night, one of the most amazing displays of electoral re-alignment imaginable, the right-wing Advance Compadria party, rose from fourth to second place in the party seat totals, to become contenders for government, from almost nothing at the start of this campaign. Could this be the end of the "left-consensus", which has prevailed in this country for almost 100 years? It remains to be seen.

National Liberals (liberal-social democrats) 290 seats (was 217), 50,377,801 votes

Advance Compadria (right-wing) 238 seats (was 41), 25,746,014 votes

Centre-Coalition (centrist-centre left) 155 seats (was 468), 32,112,900 votes

Democratic Workers Party (extremist-left) 110 seats (was 100), 14,092,666 votes

Greens (environmentalist-left) 34 seats (was 17), 2,000,101 votes

Liberatrians (libertarian) 17 seats (was 9), 300,342 votes

North-West Frontier Party (regional) 1 seat (was 0), 22,887 votes

Other 0 seats (was 0), 55,765 votes

But the totals of votes and seats are not the end of the matter. Under a proportional representation system, the results would be interesting, but not so controversial. Yet Compadria uses single-member constituencies under the First-Past-the-Post voting system. As a result, one can perceive, the totals of votes are not necessarily proportional to the number of seats. Yet overall, something even more problematic has occured. Deadlock. With no party with an overall majority, it remains un-clear how a government will be formed. The most likely outcome is that the National Liberals, Centre-Coalition and Greens could form a coalition, with a total of 479 out of 845 in the chamber (majority = 113). Also possible is that the National Liberals will join with the Democratic Workers Party and Greens, with a total of 434 seats out of 845 (majority = 23), though this is unlikely. Thorny issues remain over the conduct of a bitter campaign, with much acrimony remaining between the different sides. As a result, a solution is still only to be obtained, it is likely, after much negotiation and concession from both sides.

The debate over the formation of the new government is currently progressing in the Union Senate of Compadria..."

The Union Senate of the Republic of Compadria

The Senate is in the middle of a heated debate about the possibilities to form a government following the disputed election results of the previous day. The chamber is an exceptional site: The two sides of the room are arranged with benches, coloured lustrous Red and Gold after the colour of the Compadrian (now defunct) Royal Family. The room is decorated in an ornate gothic style, with lavish furninshings of oak wood, teak and a vaulted ceiling of oak beams. A lavish throne sits at the end, upon which sits the Lontra, presiding over this debate. Before him are the Hansard writers and clerks, along with the Deputy-Lontra and Serjeant-at-Arms. Before the eyes of the weary Lontra, dozens of smartly-dressed, angry senators are arguing vigorously about whom should form the next administration of Compadria. Tired of the hubub, the Lontra rises from the throne:

Lontra: Order, order, this Senate shall come to order or I shall suspend session.

Serjeant-at-Arms: By order of the Lontra, may the blessings of our otters be upon him, it is beseeched that you worthy Senators shall hold your peace and desist from further discourse until given leave to.

Lontra: I shall now call upon the Senator for Olmenholt-Barnsby, the Honourable and Learned Mr Sia Virtus.

Sia Virtus: Thank you Sir, I too beseech this Senate that we refrain from tittle-tatting and mindless name calling prior to continuing this debate.

Senators: Express agreement with some calls of dissent

Sia Virtus: My Honourable Senators, it is paramount that we do not forget in the conduct of the debate the true winners of this election, the National Liberal party, of which I am a proud member, standing here today to congratulate our triumph and remind you of the Constitutional obligation that his Senate possesses to render the governance of our nation to them.

Other Senators: Mixture of approval and angry disapproval.

Sia Virtus: Honourable Senators, we are taken with the solemn duty to offer this great task to them and to follow the laws of Compadria to the full. I will, with permission from you, Sir, take questions from my Worthy Adversary, the Senator for Hydros-Flatlands.

Lontra: I shall now call upon the Senator for Hydros-Flatlands, the Honourable Mrs Madeleine Verkroop.

Madeleine Verkroop: My Honoured Fellow Senators, I beg to differ with the judgment rendered by my Worthy Adversary, the Honourable and Learned Senator for Olmenholt-Barnsby, who appears to believe a mandate is derived purely from plurality. It is not, there is a mandate from an overall majority and the party he represents does not posseess it, except in a humiliating coalition.

Sia Virtus: Right of Reply Sir

Lontra: Nay, we have not time, debate shall progress

Debate continues on, with no clear end in sight.

Luris' Office

Samuel Cromwell, former Luris for the Republic of Compadria, sat slumped in his chair behind his desk. The election results of the previous day had destroyed him it seemed and his party. No longer even the second largest, but the third, crushed and beaten. He reflected upon the totality of defeat.

After pouring himself a third whisky however, things began to look better and through his somewhat alcohol befuddled mind he began to perceive a possible beneficial outcome. The National Liberals lacked adaquate seats on their own and would never bargain with the Democratic Workers Party unless absolutely forced to. They would have to come to him and make a deal.

What kind of deal could they make?

Maybe one that retained him as Luris, possibly, or at worst as a major figure.

He decided he needed advice and so, rotating the dial on his video-communicator, he dialled the number of his U.N. Ambassador.

Leader of the Oppositions Office:

Out of his window, the city of Kataga, capital of Compadria for over 2000 years, seemed a strangely beautiful sight to Vos Mulligan. The street-lamps and lights of the city combined in a pleasant, multi-coloured optical show in front of his eyes. He could hear the bustle of traffc, the hum and rumble of the trains rolling into Kataga North Station and the rattle and clang of the trams running down the boulevard below.

Across the vast expanse of the boulevards, town houses, ministeries, offices and canal docks, that made up the centre of Kataga, he saw the two most significant monuments in the city. The Royal Tombs, housing the catacombs of the now long gone Royal Family of Compadria and the Great Shrine of Kataga, housing the statue of Tarkan Ottarkus, founder of their great nation, as well as his sword and glove, holy relics.

He decided to go and visit them, to pray and think over his options.

Office of the Ambassador for the Republic of Compadria to the U.N.

Leonard Otterby's phone rang twice before he picked it up. Upon hearing the voice of Cromwell over the line he relaxed somewhat and quickly pressed the 'scramble' button to ensure their conversation would remain private.

"The situation is serious then", he remarked sternly.

"Indeed", replied Cromwell, "I fear we may be out of power unless we fail to establish a new leadership coalition quickly enough. I hear reports that the DWP and National Liberals are considering an alliance iwth the Greens".

"A majority of 23", snorted Otterby "what kind of majority would that be? Besides, they will never accept that either one of their leaders shall assume the position of Luris. Their consuls will not allow it".

"Shall we approach the National Liberals"?, questioned Cromwell.

"No, they have entrenched themselves too strongly against us, they will not look to us. We must form a coalition of the conservative, rather than the radical politcal elements. You saw the results from Olmenholt and Kataga, you have become too middle class for the honoured Sia's and middle-classes. They are fed up with taxation and a weak economy. You will have to assuage their anger by doing a deal with the devil".

"I would normally, but they are too extreme: Mass privatisations, cuts in benefits, elimination of 6 ministries. We cannot accept this, not even as centrists".

"Rubbish, you must".

"Why do you support this Leonard, you come from the left of our party".

"We must keep those damned Socialists and Liberals out of power, they will destroy this nation. You heard their manifestos. Bilge, pure Communistic bilge".

"Yet we can mould them, perhaps?"

"No, ignore them, we must ally with the Libertarians and Advancists. Think Samuel, if they reject our proposals then we can enlist the support of the opposition. We shall have a majority. You shall still be Luris. A few sacrifices is worth this. Talk to Krijger and get him and the Advancists to sign up. The Libertarians will be bound to follow".

He hung up and Cromwell sat alone and afraid in his office, pondering as to what to do next.

The Great Shrine

Vos Mulligan entered the darkened Great Temple and as always had his breath caught by the sight of the massive figure of Tarkan Ottarkus looming at the far end of the circular hall, paved and rimmed with seats, encircling the giant statue.

The statue itself was a good 150 metres high, carved from black granite from Hydros and portraying Ottarkus flawlessly. He strode up to it and at a spot near the feet bowed down, crouched on his knees and prostrated himself against the floor.

"Worthy Sia Ottarkus, Sum Compadros Nostra Terra Sic Supplicis Ve Por Imanis", uttering the ancient Compadrian Latin words of prayer in order to express his devotion.

"I pray that you give swift rendering to this long process and reward us for our efforts with much triumph and honour..."

He continued to pray for an hour then walked off into the night, his troubles somewhat eased by the fulfillment of his need.