NationStates Jolt Archive

HNN Exclusive

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Chancellor Hayek collapsed during a late afternoon
meeting in the Dominion of New Cascadia.
Aides and guards rushed him to a nearby
military hospital. No official comment yet
from the Federal Government.

Chancellor Hayek collapses during meeting; Stroke likely

Less than twenty minutes ago Chancellor Wolfgang Hayek collapsed at session of the United Realms' Dominions Head of Governments Conference. During a question session with several Dominions Prime Ministers, the Chancellor reportedly became dizzy and his speech was slurred. Before assistants could reach the Chancellor he had collapsed on the floor. Uniformed guards rushed Dr. Hayek from the building to nearby ambulances. A doctor that helped to stabilize the fifty-five year old politician while en route to the Cannon Beach Naval Hospital has told HNN that "Chancellor Hayek definitely had a stroke. I don't know of what kind, though."

The Royal Household and Federal Chancellery Offices have yet to comment though there are reports that the Grand Archduchess has convened an emergency meeting of the Senior Cabinet.

HNN Exclusive

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Physicians at Cannon Beach Naval Hospital
confirm the Chancellor most likely suffered
an embolic stroke. He is still at "serious risk"
for another stroke and other medical
complications

Hayek suffers stroke, Senior Cabinet in emergency session

Doctors treating the Chancellor at Cannon Beach Naval Hospital issued a press statement confirming Hayek's current medical condition. "Wolfgang Asbjørn Hayek has had an embolic strokeand is currently being treated and tested. The patient's prognosis is positive but he is at serious risk of another cerebrovascular accident for at least the next forty-eight hours." Sources in the hospital state that the Chancellor is unconscious and connected to life support machines.

After the hospital issued its statement, Chief Cabinet Secretary Marcelo Paredes held a hastily organized meeting with reporters in the Obsidian Palace. Mr. Paredes read a statement written by Grand Archduchess Anne I's office. The short statement was written before she met with the six Secretaries of State that were in the Capital Cities tonight. "I am deeply shocked to have heard of the Chancellor's stroke. I offer my prayers to Dr. Hayek and his family during this time of great trial," the letter continues, "Unless the situation proves otherwise Dr. Hayek will remain Chancellor, though in accordance with Part 1, Section 3 of the Constitutional Act I will assume his executive powers. The question of the necessity of an Acting Chancellor will remain for the Senior Cabinet and Privy Council to decide."

The continued extended medical leave of Vice Chancellor Luis Santiago removes the obvious, and natural, choice for Acting Chancellor should Dr. Hayek be incapacitated. According to statute, the President of the Chamber of Representatives is next in line for the Chancellery but the monarch has the constitutional power to name anyone Chancellor at any time. CoR President Ignác Codreanu is a member of Hayek's Independent Progressives party but the young lawmaker might be left out in the cold. "He became President by bullying his opposition into defeat. He's too smart and independent to be controlled and that is not someone you want to be Acting Chancellor." A member of the Royal Congress said under condition of anonymity.

The Supreme Council of Bynzekistan offers its best wishes to Chancellor Hayek and his family in this time of trial. We wish the Chancellor nothing but a speedy recovery.

In the meantime, we offer anything we can to your nation in this time of need. If we can help in any way, please let us know.

Sincerely
Linoc Duvaron
Bynzeki Minister for Foreign Affairs

[Bump in preparation for posts tonight]

HNN Exclusive

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With the declared incapacitation of Wolfgang Hayek,
the Grand Archduchess named President of the
Chamber of Representatives Ignác Codreanu
Acting Chancellor. Mr. Codreanu will retain
his Congressional leadership position.

Hayek still in hospital, to be incapacitated "For the near future"
Codreanu named Acting Chancellor

Chancellor Hayek, out of immediate danger, will not be able to carry out his executive duties for at least the next few weeks doctors treating him have said. Dr. Mary Reemes, Chief of Medicine at Cannon Beach Naval Hospital, said that the Chancellor's stroke yesterday was actually the second that had stricken the fifty-five year old. "We had determined that twenty hours before his embolic stroke Dr. Hayek had suffered a very mild transient ischemic attack; a mini-stroke. The second stroke was a more serious event but we don't yet think there will be any permanent damage. He will have to be placed under close medical observation for the near future."

According to sources in the hospital Hayek has undergone a carotid endarterectomy to correct the suspected cause of yesterday's stroke. Physicians have examined the Chancellor and have tentatively determined that there is little chance of long-term neurological damage. However, Dr. Hayek has been placed under sedation for unidentified medical reasons. HNN has asked hospital officials about the sedation but all requests for information have been turned down.

With news of the Chancellor's prolonged incapacitation the Senior Cabinet recommended that the Grand Archduchess name an Acting Chancellor. Chamber President Ignác Codreanu was then invited to become the acting executive leader for an indeterminate period. A source familiar with the Senior Cabinet's deliberation told HNN, "The Secretaries recognized that the nation needs a chief executive. Without Santiago in the picture the only viable [option] was Codreanu." There were reports earlier in the day that Lord Rosecrans would be invited to step in but after a meeting between the Duke and Anne I, Codreanu was given the offer.

At a conference held at Mr. Codreanu's legislative office in the Østklint Palace, the new Acting Chancellor gave his first nationwide address.
"It is my first and firmest wish that Dr. Hayek return here and resume his office immediately. If I have one prayer, if I can ask one thing from God, it would be to return our rightful Chancellor to the Capital Cities. Until he can join us again, I will act in accordance with what I believe Dr. Hayek's wishes would be. I will continue on in the same spirit of independence, progressivism and determination that has made the Chancellor first in all our hearts. I will keep his seat warm."
However, the Acting Chancellor has already shown his notorious independent streak. When asked by the Secretaries of State Kobus Alderliesten, Jacob Astor and Hanne Akselsen to recall the Chamber of Representatives and Royal Senate from their lengthy Winter Recesses, he refused. He told reporters that, "recalling the Senate and Chamber early would only create chaos and confusion. The Federal Council can meet at any time and can deal with any foreseeable issue that will arise before 30 March." Mr. Codreanu is scheduled to have his first meeting with the full Senior Cabinet tomorrow morning.

KBC World

Oceanian Reaction to Hayek's Incapacitation

With news of the temporary incapacitation of Chancellor Hayek spreading throughout the United Kingdom, the reaction has been both quiet and subdued--many Oceanians expressing solidarity with Hamptonians. Perhaps tops among them the government of Prime Minister Ingrahm, who has for several months dispatched officials from the Foreign Office to formally negotiate the treaties required to open official relations. At a luncheon in Grenville, New Britain, the Foreign Secretary, Gavin Astley had the following to say:

The tragedy of the situation is, of course, that the Chancellor has, so far as I have been aware, been a marker of good health. He and his government have stood with the people of the United Kingdom and have done so at times when it may have been detrimental to the Grand Archduchy. Chancellor Hayek is, without question in my mind, a courageous individual not just politically but I also daresay physically. And it is that courage that will bring not just him through this ordeal, but the Hamptonian people as well.

Elsewhere, financial reactions have seen losses on the two major Oceanian exchanges: the Philadelphia Exchange (PHEX) and the Barents Exchange (BAEX), down 1.3% and 1.7% respectively. The news comes at a time of increasing Oceanian-Hamptonian trade; however, market analysts predict that the stable transition from Chancellor Hayek to Acting Chancellor Ignác Codreanu will dampen and extreme reactions and bring about quick recovery and equilibrium to Oceanian markets.

On behalf of the Government of Ubundi, I hope the Chancellor will have a successful and speedy recovery.

Signed,
Mr. Mudrik Talib
Secretary of Foreign Affairs

Transcript of an interview with Mr. Ignác Codreanu from HBC 1's The NewsHour with Pieter Brinkerhoff program

Brinkerhoff: The recent incapacitation of Dr. Hayek has thrust Chamber President Ignác Codreanu into the center spotlight of the Hamptonian political arena. The forty-one year old Codreanu was recently named by the Grand Archduchess as the Acting Chancellor. Critics of the President charge that he does not possess the political experience necessary for his new role. To others he is voracious political arch-puppeteer who has built his career upon intimidation and tactless pandering. Tonight we have for you the self-professed populist, the leader of the Chamber of Representatives and Acting Chancellor of the United Realms, Ignác Codreanu. Mr. Codreanu, welcome to the program. What do you say to those critics that call you an unashamed panderer and a threat to conventional Hamptonian populism?

Mr. Codreanu: I have two things to say to my critics. First, I respect their opinions. Second, and this is what is important, I am a believer in the people. My first duty and allegiance is to the people of the United Realms. I'm in the Capital Cities to work for the factory worker from Antietam, the secretary from Portshire, the farmer in Harrkona and every decent man, woman and child in the Grand Archduchy. Our government exists to serve the people. If they are not bettered by the government's policies then it is the government that is doing something wrong. When I advocate a program or policy, no matter what it is, I do so because I believe it is for the best of the common people of Hamptonshire.

Brinkerhoff: Chancellor Hayek's proposed environmental package has received less than vigorous support from Independent Progressives members of the Chamber, yourself included. His plan calls for carbon emissions curbs, increased emphasis on alternative fuels and the creation of the so-called "Producers Polluter Tax". Are you against the environmental package?

Mr. Codreanu: Dr. Hayek should be applauded for his devotion to the environment. As you no doubt know, Pieter, I have established myself as a solid progressive environmentalist. I join with Dr. Hayek when he calls for the conservation of natural resources and the preservation of our environment. The United Realms is far ahead of most other nations in this respect. Currently more than ninety-five percent of our transportation fuel needs are met using alternative fuels. We have no coal or oil power plants and fully renewable power sources are projected to generate more than a third of national power needs in less than a quarter century.

Brinkerhoff: Why then have you opposed the Chancellor's proposals?

Mr. Codreanu: I have never opposed them. Never. What I have done is voice my concerns, as I believe all lawmakers have a duty to do. I am against any new taxes and I see the so-called increased emphasis on alternative fuels as nothing more than additional subsidies for colonial energy farming conglomerates. The financial impact of Dr. Hayek's plan is, at this stage, prohibitive. Unless my concerns, and those of hundreds of other lawmakers from every party in the Chamber, are addressed I don't see the current proposals passing the CoR.

Brinkerhoff: Mr. Codreanu, now you are in a position to change this policy and, conceivably, many more. Will you do so?

Mr. Codreanu: That is the farthest thing from my mind right now, Pieter. Her Majesty named me Acting Chancellor with the understanding, and I believe it is fully justified, that I am a caretaker. The Federal Government needs its head of government. Until its duly elected one can resume his duties, I will fill in. As for long standing and pre-existing policies of the Hayek Administration, they will be conducted with the full participation of the Senior Cabinet. The Secretaries of State and I will work to ensure the continuation of Dr. Hayek's major policies until his return.

Brinkerhoff: If the Chancellor's recovery is stalled or, God forbid, he cannot return will you pursue your own independent policies?

Mr. Codreanu: We should not talk about such things. If our leader cannot return to us, then I will personally advise the Grand Archduchess to call a special election to fill the remainder of his term. But please, let us not think of such things.

Brinkerhoff: Of course. We at HBC 1 and at The NewsHour wish the Chancellor a speedy recovery. Now, Mr. Codreanu, what do you say to those that criticise your decision not to call the Chamber of Representatives and Royal Senate back from their lengthy winter recesses?

Mr. Codreanu: I will only repeat what I have said before: recalling the Senate and Chamber early would only create chaos and confusion. The Federal Council can meet at any time and can deal with any foreseeable issue that will arise before the end of the month. Senior members of the Senate and Chamber, in the form of the Continuation Committee, are also present in the Capital Cities District. There is no need to pull lawmakers away from their families and their constituents any earlier than is absolutely necessary.

Brinkerhoff: Let us switch gears. You are the son of Romanian-Slavic immigrants from the Dominion of Cyptra. You are Serbian Orthodox. Your congressional district is over eighty percent Germanic and majority Catholic. Now you are the acting Head of Government of a nation that is majority Nordic in ethnicity and is overwhelmingly Catholic. What is it like to be a minority in a position of power? Do you feel that it has helped or hindered your ability to advance in the political process?

Mr. Codreanu: It obviously hasn't hindered it. I do not see myself as a minority. In fact, within the United Realms as a whole there is no majority. While Nordics and Catholics comprise the bulk of Hamptonshire's population, Arabs, Slavs and people of every ethnicity populate the Dominions. Islam has nearly a quarter as many adherents as Catholicism does in the entire empire. The diversity of our empire and nation is a strength we must never forget. Everyone's voice must be heard. Pluralism is the order of the day and it has been my driving focus as President of the Chamber of Representatives. I will carry that over into the Federal Chancellery.

Brinkerhoff: According to the Chief Cabinet Secretary your first scheduled trip out of the Capitals will be to Nieuw Groningen, the capital of the Sandrin Semi-Autonomous Region. You are to meet with SAR Minister-President and Sandrin National Party leader Abetje de Vries. This trip was originally scheduled for the Chancellor but you decided not to cancel it. You have previously been an outspoken opponent of Ms. De Vries and of the Sandrin Dominionhood movement. What will you talk about with the Minister-President on Wednesday?

Mr. Codreanu: I think Ms. De Vries thinks she is doing the best for the people of Sandrin but I wholeheartedly disagree with her. Sandrin separation from Hamptonshire would fatally wound the SAR and would intolerably damage the rest of Hamptonshire. Sandrin has always been a part of Hamptonshire Proper. We are one people with one central government. I am in favor of reevaluating the powers which the Federal Government may devolve to the Sandrin SAR but I will never support granting it Dominion-status. Disunion will only harm the people of Hamptonshire and the United Realms. I will work with madame Minister-President on areas of mutual concern but there will be no change in the current political status of the region.

Brinkerhoff: Earlier this evening the Grand Archduchess announced that she will travel to New Cascadia to visit the hospitalized Chancellor. Will you join her?

Mr. Codreanu: I would love to join Her Majesty, but I cannot. I have already contacted the Grand Archduchess to tell her that I must conduct essential government business in the Grand Archduchy. I have telephoned both Dr. Hayek and his wife Elisse. He is still very weak and under medication but for the brief periods when I've been able to talk to him he has been perfectly lucid. He has an immense strength of will and mind that I find truly inspiring.

Brinkerhoff: Mr. Codreanu, it seems that we are out of time. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us tonight.

Mr. Codreanu: Thank you, Pieter. It has been a true pleasure.

Hertoghof, Nieuw Groningen, Sandrin Semi-Autonomous Region

The cold, salty air of the seaside capital was a refreshing change from the biting and freezing snow that blanketed the Capital Cities. Codreanu, however, would not find himself embracing the cold air. He was in Sandrin for only one reason: to deal with the Minister-President. Since winning the Regional Assembly election in the summer, the Sandrin National Party had been pushing the boundaries of good taste and federal law. Lead by the irascible Abetje de Vries, the party and the SAR were both becoming a thorn in the side of the central government.

For ten hours the Acting Chancellor shuffled from meeting to meeting in the Hertoghof, the Assembly's seat, but had little to show. The latest area of contention, internal security funding, had clearly set the battle lines. It did not help that the entire visit was originally constructed around the premise that Chancellor Hayek would be the one to visit. His public approval rating, in the high seventies, meant that he had the political capital to strong arm members of the regional government. Codreanu had the double handicaps of a (relatively) lower approval rating and of holding only a temporary mandate. As the time for his address grew closer, he managed to steal himself away from the various meetings and found a quiet place to reflect.

Without warning he heard a familiar loud female voice calling to him. "The Assembly is readying itself in the Statenzaal, Mr. President." It was Minister-President de Vries; somehow she was able to find him.

"Thank you for reminding me, Abetje."

"Well, I wouldn't want to waste the time of the Assembly members. They have important business to get to and I don't want them to face any delays."

De Vries could barely mask her contempt for Codreanu. She had insisted on referring to him as "President" or "Congress member" whenever an opportunity presented itself. Neither had any great respect for the other, but her near-constant naked disdain was beginning to seriously irk Ignác.

"There must be some room for compromise on the security issue." He said as he motioned to her to walk with him to the meeting hall.

"I do not see any. Sandrin's domestic security should and must be the concern of Sandrin security forces."

"The money is coming from federal coffers, Abetje, it is not from the SAR. If you want to boost provincial taxes to pay for supplements you're welcome to it, but the Federal government won't sign cheques without a system of accountability in place."

"Bullshit." She said that just loud enough to gain the attention of a few reporters that were at the far end of the hallway the two leaders had come to, "Health and education funds are given as block grants and local governments are free to spend as they see fit. This is an issue of power. The Federal government does not want to give up its monopoly on the use of force."

Careful to whisper, Codreanu responded angrily, "You're right. This is an issue of trust. In a thousand years I'd never trust you with my cat let alone with the security services of the SAR. The Regional Assembly has become a rubber stamp for the SNP. As long as the Sandrin National Party is in power you won't get a single drop of further autonomy."

"I'm glad you came Ignác."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes, if Hayek would have been here instead of you my security plans would have been defeated. With you here I'll get my plan and tie the Federal Government up in knots."

"Is that right?"

"Yeah..."she paused while the Sergeant-at-Arms opened the massive brass doors that lead into the foyer of the Statenzaal, "do you know why I would have lost if Hayek was here? He is a man. Sure, he might have a detached air about him, but he is a statesman. He has a personal presence and a vision for the future. More importantly, he can draw people to his vision and make his vision theirs'. You, on the other hand, are only a boy. You can bully and force yourself into a position of authority but you have no true power. You have no vision of the future. Statues, parks and monuments will be named for Hayek. Nondescript committee meeting rooms and learning annexes will be named for you."

Codreanu turned to the Minister-President and smiled. They entered the hall to applause. The Acting Chancellor gave his speech but in the back of his mind burned De Vries' comments and one of his own- If she wants a fight, I'll give her one.

HBC Online - Breaking News

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Elliot Pierce, the United Realms' elections ombudsman,
told reporters that his office had decided to combine more
than a dozen Senate Special-Elections. The races will
conclude on April 6-7.

Codreanu Calls Mini-Election
Fourteen Elections to Determine Senate Control

On the penultimate day of the Royal Congress' lengthy Winter Recess, CoR President and Acting Chancellor Codreanu has decided to consolidate fourteen Senate races that will determine the balance of power in that house. Mr Codreanu informed the Senior Cabinet of his intention to combine the races late yesterday afternoon. The Acting Chancellor only contacted the Permanent Congressional Secretary of State for Elections, Elliot Pierce, after several unidentified cabinet members' concerns were addressed.

Due to death, resignation or prolonged incapacitation, twenty of the Royal Senate's seats are currently vacant. Current laws give provinces and Dominions the ability to fill vacancies in a manner of their own choosing. Election dates were scattered over a week long period in early April but Mr Pierce said that "the consolidation of these elections in a two day period will increase the efficacy of the [voting] process. The newly-combined elections represent races in eight provinces and five Dominions. No candidates have yet to issue response to today's announcement.

While the current coalition, led by the Independent Progressives and Liberal Democratic Alliance and supported by several non-aligned Senators, cannot be displaced as the largest bloc in the chamber a strong showing by the New Federalists can force the coalition out of its majority status. Conservative leaders are hoping that the rightward trend evident in recent local elections will carry over into the Senate. Of particular interest to NF supporters and leaders from the other parties is this Saturday's legislative election in the Dominion of Cyptra. The Federalist-aligned Christian Social League is heading into the polls tied with the local branches of the IP and LDA. "Cyptra will be the litmus test of future conservative support throughout the United Realms. If the CSL can win, the Progressive-Lib Dem alliance will be in a corner," says Thomas Griffin, Professor of Political Science at the Seaburg School of Economics.


Mini-Election Facts:

Current Senate composition (280/300 seats)
Independent Progressives - 122
New Federalist Union - 101
Labor-Democratic Reformists - 24
Liberal Democratic Alliance - 23
Sandrin National Party - 3
Other - 7

Senate seats up for election (by party)
Independent Progressives - 2
New Federalist Union - 2
Labor-Democratic Reformists - 4
Liberal Democratic Alliance - 1
Other - 5

A look at the nine Senate seats held by the four major political parties:

Independent Progressives:
Province of Cildania - Following the death of her husband, Olivia Arnold resigned her Senate seat to "spend more time with friends and loved ones." Cildania is a solidly IP province with the party controlling a supermajority of both houses of the Provincial Legislature. Anja Guldbrandsen, the current Speaker of the province's lower chamber, received the Progressives' nomination. Ms Guldbrandsen's only challenge is from a Labor-Democratic Reformist candidate, William Thompson. The Independent Progressives are expected to easily hold on to the seat.

Dominion of Ny Tyrol (North-East) - The former occupant of this seat, Noach Schöntheil, was nominated to head the newly reformed Imperial Reserve Bank. After a short primary season, a former two-time federal Minister of State (Trade, International Development) and current President of Imperial College of Ny Tyrol, Sergio Guerra, was put forward as the party's candidate. Mr Guerra is not facing any serious competition and has been endorsed by the Ny Tyrol wings of the New Federalist and Liberal Democratic parties. IP hold.

New Federalist Union:
Dominion of Nova Excelsior (Riverside) - This seat belongs to Martin Stemme the current Consul of the Royal Senate. Mr Stemme is currently running as the Deputy President candidate in the Dominion's presidential election. He presented his resignation in late January but according to Excelsian law he remains in his seat until a successor has been chosen. In an agreement with the Christian Democrats of Nova Excelsior (CDNE), the New Federalists represent the long-time ruling party on the federal stage. CDNE politicians, who all sit as New Federalists in the Royal Senate, currently control all ten of the Dominion's seats. Angela Parrish, former Secretary-General of the CDNE, is widely expected to easily win the race. NFU hold.

Dominion of Oltremare (Trans-Majeston) - Silvestre Palmeiro gave up his seat to become Ambassador to Praetonia. This seat represents the state of Trans-Majestron, Oltremare's least wealthy state. It lags behind the rest of the Dominion in education, healthcare and social welfare spending. The rise in popularity of the centrist-liberal government of Oltremarean Prime Minister Juan-Carlos Medina has decreased the previously formidable lead of the NFU in local politics. The Independent Progressives and Liberal Democratic Alliance jointly nominated physician Xabier Roldán in a bid to unify centrist and moderate voters instead of diluting their votes over two party tickets. Current Governor Ferran Iñíguez (NFU) and Daphne Kinnaird (LDR), runner-up to Mr Palmeiro in the July election, are also running for the seat. Too close to call.

Labor-Democratic Reformists:
Province of Millefleuves-Ouest (A) - The previous occupant was recalled by voters after being associated with the corruption charges still lingering over the LDR after the July Federal elections. The Labor-Democratic Reformists declined to run in both seats after polls show any potential LDR candidate losing to any other potential candidate from any party or non-affiliated group. Current polls have Independent Progressives candidate Marna Ljungblad, current Deputy Secretary of State for Agriculture, Environment and Internal Development, well in the lead. LDR loss, IP pick up.

Province of Millefleuves-Ouest (B) - The previous occupant was recalled by voters after being associated with the corruption charges still lingering over the LDR after the July Federal elections. The two main candidates for this seat are both former governors of the province. Hugh Anderson (NFU) and Ulrika Plamondon (IP) both have the support of about a third of likely voters. Ms Plamondon, a self-identified liberal idealist and former member of the Liberal Party of the Millefleuves, originally hoped to run as under the Liberal Democratic Alliance banner. LDA party leadership denied their request saying that the party only organized in the Dominions. The race is too close to call, but is leaning NFU.

Province of Harrkona - Vacated by a death, the Class B seat for the Province of Harrkona will almost certainly become another seat for Chancellor Wolfgang Hayek's coalition. Kobus Alderliesten, Acting Secretary of State for Finance and the Treasury and protégée of Dr Hayek is running unopposed for the only seat on the Island of Harrkona not held by the Independent Progressives. Before his stroke, Dr Hayek campaigned aggressively for his Cabinet member building for the thirty-eight year old a four to one lead in the polls. Mr Alderliesten's only opponents are from various minor parties each gathering less than 2-3% of support in published polls. LDR loss, IP pick up.

Dominion of Oltremare (Inner Oltermare) - Resigning her seat to become an Associate Justice of the Dominion's Supreme Court, Maria Alvord has created a close yet another close race for the LDR. The social democrat Michael Reemes was expected to easily hold the seat for the Labor-Democratic Reformists but the emergence of popular candidates from the right and center has narrowed the race. Lawyer turned actor turned politician Patrick Stevenson (LDA) is mounting a serious threat from the center. Autumn Boland (NFU), a former Senator, is polling third, pulling just enough votes away from Mr Reems and Mr Stevenson to prevent either from taking a clear lead. Leaning LDR.

Liberal Democratic Alliance:
Dominion of Merticea (Southern States) - The former holder of this seat and its likely winner are switching jobs. Rodrigo Villanueva (LDA) is running for the seat while Martzel Zabala (LDA), the former Senator, is running to replace Mr Villaneuva as First Minister of the Dominion of Merticea. Both men are highly popular figures within the Dominion and their party. Mr Zabala has no major challengers and the only person running against Villaneuva is a Labor-Democratic Reformists "parachute candidate" that only moved to Merticea last December. Some question the movement of the two politicians and wonder if a secret deal has been made, but the Liberal Democrats are still secure in this race. LDA hold.

From HBC Online
HBC.hts

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Controversial leader of the right-wing Christian Social League,
Leonzio Sciacchitano, addresses the Cyptran Parliament after
being appointed Premier by Governor-General Karolina Hjalmardóttir.

Conservatives inch toward victory
Divided moderate vote allows right-wing to pull ahead

The incumbent Liberal Democratic Alliance-led government of Cyptra lost this weekend's election in a surprising twist of events. The conservative right-wing Christian Social League won a majority of seats in the Parliament's lower chamber and captured a plurality of seats in the Cyptran Senate. The Liberal Democrats lost nearly half their seats in the National Assembly, a substantial number in the Senate and 18.4 percentage points of the popular vote. The Social Democratic and Green parties both lost seats, though the SDP did manage to marginally increase their share of the popular vote.

Aside from the CSL, the other winner in the election were the Independent Progressives. This was the first organized election for the party in the Dominion. The IPs increased their ranks in both chambers. 55 new Assemblymembers and 12 new Senators will join the sitting legislators that independently allied with the centrist party. However, the rise of the Progressives did come at a cost. Split votes and running against LDA candidates placed the party in the second place slot in popular votes even though it will be the third largest party by seats in the new Parliament.

Former Premier and now Leader of the Opposition Francka Nascimbene (LDA) admitted the mistake of not coordinating with other parties. In a speech to party faithful on Sunday she said, "It was our error to not better cooperate with the Independent Progressives. We robbed each other of votes and helped Sciacchitano slither his way into power." IP leader Jovan Dahl's speech on election night also highlighted mistakes but was careful not to attack the political system. "Our goal of becoming the second largest party in Cyptra was successful. It is clear that the people have connected with our goals. What we need to do is to make changes to our political organization so that, in the future, we will be able to respond to their wishes as the party in power." Mr Dahl later told reporters that, "The failure, if you can even call it that, is not of the electoral system. It is a failure of political organization."

The repercussions of the split result have already made their way across the United Realms. In the run up to the upcoming "Mini-Election", the New Federalists look to the success of the CSL as a possible indicator of performance this weekend. Officials from the federal branches of the IP and LDA are keen to point out, however, that the CSL's popular vote share is 17.6 percentage points below that of the added shares of the Independent Progressives and Liberal Democratic Alliance. Anonymous sources in the headquarters of both centrist parties say that the executive committees of both organizations are holding meetings concerning the outcome of the Cyptran election. "The national leadership of both parties won't allow another election like this to slip out of their fingers," a senior official said.

From his hospital room in the Dominion of New Cascadia, Chancellor Hayek placed a congratulatory phone call with Mr Sciacchitano. Chief Cabinet Secretary Paredes said that call was a routine gesture given to all new heads of Dominion governments. Mr Paredes added, "Chancellor Hayek's doctors are allowing him to perform light duties like this, but the Chancellor is still not yet ready to return to full duty."


Election Results:

Parliament of Cyptra

Senate [123 seats]
CSL - 59 Gain +11
LDA - 31 Loss -18
IP - 15 Gain +12
Green - 14 Loss -1
SDP - 4 Loss -4

National Assembly [651 seats]
CSL - 349 Gain +143
LDA - 158 Loss -139
Green - 63 Loss -36
IP - 63 Gain +55
SDP - 18 Loss -23

Percent of Popular Vote
CSL - 31.4%
IP - 27.9%
LDA - 21.1%
Green - 15.3%
SDP - 4.3%

From HBC Online
HBC.hts

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Senator Cristiano Arikan (LDA), celebrates his party's
unexpectedly strong performance at this week's polls.
The Liberal Democrats pushed past the Labor-Democratic Reformists
to form the third largest party in the Royal Senate.

Independent Progressives and Liberal Democrats have their majority
Labor-Democratic Reformists implode

The IP-LDA coalition that held onto the Royal Senate with a tenuous 150 seats now has the majority it so wanted. With all votes counted and results certified, the centrist-liberal alliance held on to all of their seats and captured a further seven from opposition parties. Despite losing one of their seats, the conservative New Federalist Union managed a net gain of 1 seat with stronger than expected performance in previously non-aligned seats. Minor parties feared poorly against their better funded and known Federal rivals and the social democratic LDR failed to win a single race. Analysts and the general public have labeled the victory a Liberal Democratic upset. The junior coalition partner leaped past the LDR to become the third largest party in the powerful Senate.

Again playing the role of an underdog-turned-surprise winner, Senator Arikan spoke to several news outlets following the official certification. "The center is rising," the LDA leader said during an interview with HBC's Pieter Brinkerhoff, "it is an unmistakable signal that people are tired of polarization, aimless ideology and radicalism." Along with his party, Mr Arikan's position in Hamptonshire's political arena may be rising. Already the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, the Senator is reportedly be tapped for a senior position in the Hayek Cabinet. Chief Cabinet Secretary Paredes confirmed that Mr Arikan will be flying to New Cascadia to meet with the still recovering Chancellor Hayek. Acting Chancellor Codreanu will also attend the meeting.

The results were announced to the Royal Senate itself by outgoing-Consul Martin Stemme (NFU). He congratulated the winning parties and gave a veiled word of warning to the leftist opposition. "The result of the process of the replacement of several members of this body cannot by itself clearly indicate a public mandate. It can, however, show public concern. All members of this house should remember that."

The new balance of power in the Senate means that reorganization of the body's senior leadership is more than likely. It is also rumored that the Senior Cabinet itself might be updated to reflect the new political reality. By the time the new Senators are sworn into office in the next two to three weeks, the political and organizational leadership of the Senate should be changed. In addition to changes in the legislature, sources within the Independent Progressives' national headquarters say that the party is on the verge of a "substantial and transformative" change involving its relationship with the LDA.

With yet another failure, the future of the Labor-Democratic Reformists is in question. Still reeling from controversy and investigations public records show that even before last weekend's poll, the LDR was having trouble in meeting its fundraising goals. Once hailed as an innovative and revitalizing force in Hamptonian politics, the social democratic party is fast being deserted even by its erstwhile supporters. "The LDR is a ship without a rudder, engine, or captain", says Otto Sampson, former chair of the LDR's operations in McClellen. "The lack of a singular voice for the party to rally around has been especially damaging," Mr. Sampson said when listing the party's many mistakes and missteps. Before the "Mini-Election", the party's Senators and Representatives voted to hold their yearly conference next month, ahead of schedule by four months. At the May gathering a new leader will be chosen to take the helm of the floundering party.

Post-Election Royal Senate:

300 seats (151 to control)
Independent Progressives - 129 Gain +3
New Federalist Union - 106 Gain +1
Liberal Democratic Alliance - 28 Gain +4
Labor-Democratic Reformist Party - 25 Loss -4
Sandrin National Party - 3 No change
Other/Non-Aligned - 9 Loss -4

Winners

Independent Progressive Seats:
Province of Cildania: Anja Guldbrandsen [IP]
Dominion of Ny Tyrol (North-East): Sergio Guerra [IP]

New Federalist Union Seats:
Dominion of Nova Excelsior (Riverside): Angela Parrish [NFU]
Dominion of Oltremare (Trans-Majeston): Xabier Roldán [LDA]

Labor-Democratic Reformists Seats:
Province of Millefleuves-Ouest (A): Marna Ljungblad [IP]
Province of Millefleuves-Ouest (B): Ulrika Plamondon [IP]
Province of Harrkona: Kobus Alderliesten [IP]
Dominion of Oltremare (Inner Oltermare): Patrick Stevenson [LDA]

Liberal Democratic Alliance Seats:
Dominion of Merticea (Southern States): Rodrigo Villanueva [LDA]

Other Seats:
Province of Keidelamt: Sarah Payne, Baroness Holst [NFU]
Dominion of Oltremare (Weslyn): Aaron Reenberg [LDA]
Dominion of the United Nordic Kingdoms (Alouion): Viola Lange [LDA]
Province of Chryslerat: Sir Stravos Xanthopoulos, KCSI [Other]
Province of Western Hannon: Teresia Harmaajärvi-Skjeggestad [NFU]