General Election Monchecken 2017

[Monchecken]

For the purposes of allowing a while to vote polls open OOC today though in IC polls are only open between 6AM and 10PM on election day-Friday the 6th of Jan.

Annual general elections in Monchecken are to be held on Friday the 6th of January 2017 to elect all 300 members of the Chamber of Pop in Monchecken, the lower but more powerful house in Parliament, with results expected in the early hours of Saturday the 7th. Elections to the Chamber are held using a Mixed Member Proportional system with 200 electorate seats elected using a simple plurality first past the post system whilst the remaining 100 seats are elected on a closed list proportional basis. The election threshold for a party to gain representation is 5% (or winning an electorate seat.) With 300 seats in the Chamber of Pop, (plus any overhang), 151 seats are required to form a government.

At the last election in January 2016 the National Party, a centre-right major party, won 152 seats giving them a majority of just one in one of the closest elections in decades. The Liberal party, the other major party, gained seats but their usual coalition partners the Social Democrats, a major third party, lost seats to the Nationals missing out on the chance of government. Because of the precarious seat situation the National government led by Prime Minister Nathaniel Jools formed a confidence and supply agreement with far right populist party Independent Monchecken which brought them great criticism and unpopularity amongst many voters. The Liberals under their leader Oscar Luyss have continued to promote their vision of modern, social liberalism and an expanded welfare system. In any other year they would have seemed set for a return to government with the Social Democrats but the rise of right wing populism and anti-establishment politics across the world and the election of the very left wing William Lusk as leader of the Social Democrats has thrown that into question. Lusk has broken with many longstanding SocDem policies and upset many within his own party and his Liberal partners by turning dramatically to the left.

On the horizon the far right populist and authoritarian party Independent Monchecken are riding high on their four seats from last year's election, which came from nothing. Formerly a fringe party they now hold real power with their National confidence/supply agreement. The Tribalist Party meanwhile are also appealing to anti-establishment sentiment with their promise of a return to a formerly great tribal inspired society of living though in truth they aren't too dissimilar to Independent Monchecken. It was also a good year for the free market libertarian United Tax party which started as a tax protest group and gained its first seat. Independents look set to suffer however due to the better organised minor parties.

The major issue of the past year and of this election looks set to be the foreign situation with Creckon. Monchecken's nearest neighbour, Creckon, since its takeover by a nationalistic and authoritarian regime in 2009, has made a serious of threats to Monchecken. Although the two are separated by 500 miles of ocean Creckon's vast population outnumbers Monchecken's ten million souls dramatically. Military build ups by Creckon on its borders have had defence spending in Monchecken on the rise and many of the country's conscripts worried. The Liberals, usually seen as soft on defence, have promised increases and better equipment. The Nationals, playing on their reputation as the party of defence, have used the worries over Creckon to focus almost their entire campaign on the situation. The Social Democrats meanwhile have raised eyebrows with Lusk calling for defence cuts and even suggesting the Moncheck universal conscription system, in force since 1950 and seen as a bedrock of Monchecken's defence, could be scrapped.

Other election issues on the agenda include the welfare system, baby bonus benefits, green environmental protection, free trade policies and constitutional reform. The parties positions on the political compass and their key ideologies and policies are outlined below:



The National Party
Centre-Right, Some Right
Key ideologies: Conservatism, Economic Liberalism, Moncheck civil nationalism, Socially moderate with some socially conservative members.
Key bases: The elderly, business people, upper middle class, upper class, farmers, religiously devout.
Leader: Nathaniel Jools
The National Party are the current governing party with a majority of just one in the Chamber of Pop. They have been in government for three years since the 2014 general election where they beat a ten year Liberal-Social Democrat government. Nathaniel Jools' government proved relatively popular initially with welfare cuts they claimed were necessary and a more socially moderate stance on some controversial issues like abortion. However their reduction to a one seat majority in 2016 left them requiring to form a supply and confidence agreement with Independent Monchecken which was condemned in some circles. The rising threat of Creckon has led to a rise in their fortunes however with them making defence spending increases and making defence one of, if not the, key issue of the election. Jools will hope he can increase his majority, even slightly, and have a fourth year of power.

The Liberal Party
Centre, Centre-left
Key ideologies: Liberalism, Social (modern) liberalism, Keynesianism, Internationalism, soft environmentalism or ecologicalism, some classical liberals.
Key bases: Educated degree holders, middle to lower middle class, students, urban livers, creatives.
Leader: Oscar Luyss
The Liberal Party are the main opposition party with a current standing of 71 in the Chamber of Pop. Since the 1950s they have governed in coalition with the Social Democrats though there have been times, the last being 2011 when they had enough seats to govern alone but continued in coalition. The last time the Liberals were in power was the 2004-14 government, the longest government in Moncheck history and considered a golden period for the party with social reforms. The new leader Oscar Luyss was elected in 2014 and at first struggled to define his new leadership in the shadow of the Woolford Lib-SocDem 04-14 ministry. In 2015 he began to gain popularity as a young, charismatic and moderate politician with his quiet nature winning support from many in comparison to the often angry styles of his contemporaries. Luyss will hope to appeal to many disaffected National supporters with his new focus on defence and promise of spending increases, casting aside the soft on defence claim that has always befallen the Liberals. However he has also focused on welfare reform, a constitutional commission to examine changes to the role of the King, electoral practices and a drawback on some of the National's free market policies with more state involvement. Luyss has also reclaimed the green mantle from the Social Democrats endorsing many soft ecological positions. Luyss would find himself in a good position in a normal election year but the rise of populism and the Social Democrat's turn to the left may complicate his chances of forming a new Liberal led coalition government.

The Social Democrat Party
Centre-left, Left, Some far left
Key ideologies: Socialism, Democratic socialism, Collectivism, Social democracy, Isolationism, Socially moderate, some Third Way.
Key bases: Workers, working class, some rural voters, students, non-conformists, unions.
Leader: William Lusk
Since their foundation in the 1940s the Social Democrats have been a dominant third party, always playing a substantial, though junior, role in a coalition with the Liberals. Whilst traditionally socialist in the old sense they moved closer to the centre in the 1960s and embraced more social democracy and liberalism. The election of William Lusk as leader, and his recent re-election, has however brought them far closer and in some cases beyond their traditional left wing roots. Lusk denounced many of his former colleague's work in the 04-14 government just as much as he denounced the current National government. He has called for defence spending cuts, dismissed threats from Creckon as nonsense and hinted at ends for the longstanding system of conscription. Economically Lusk has called for a massive increase in state control and some form of a highly planned or command economy. To many within his own party he is coloured a populist as much as the small far right parties. Lusk, despite criticising many of his Liberal partners, will hope to become deputy Prime Minister and form a new coalition government with them.

Tribalist Party
Centre-left to Centre-right, Some claim no political identification
Key ideologies: Primitivism (in various forms), social conservatism, anti-establishment, populism, state control economy.
Key bases: Anarchist students, tribal dwellers.
Leader: None (Collective council).
The Tribalists surprised many by winning eight seats in last year's elections. Their politics are strange and unclear but generally support the idea that an old Moncheck tribal inspired society is the best way forward. This strange combination combines primitive ideas with socially conservative and often authoritarian ideas about leaders and obedience. They have responded to the defence issue with promises to slowly cut defence spending as they would slowly cut all state spending. Some have called them communist whilst others have called them libertarian. Their main support comes from so-called tribal dwellers who live in modern tribal systems and radical students.

Independent Monchecken
Far right, Some right, Economically left
Key ideologies: Populism, Anti-Establishment politics, Social conservatism, Authoritarianism, Isolationism, Anti-immigration.
Key bases: Disaffected National and Social Democrat supporters, the elderly.
Leader: Paulus Gedon
Independent Monchecken take their name from the idea that Monchecken, threatened by Creckon historically and currently, is no longer independent or free. They are a recently established populist party which has claimed it is the vanguard of a people trying to save Monchecken. Initially a nothing fringe movement Independent Monchecken unexpectedly won four electorate seats last year despite winning just less than the 5% election threshold proportionally. Their sudden election and sudden importance in the form of joining a confidence and supply agreement with the Nationals, enthralling their supporters and horrifying others. They have campaigned on defence as their almost sole issue promising humungous defence spending increases and an aggressive, pre-emptive foreign policy towards Creckon. In other areas they have endorsed socially conservative and anti-immigration positions blaming welfare problems on minority groups and calling for abortion restrictions as well as positioning themselves economically on the left, calling for an end to free trade and massive protectionism, employment laws that favour natives and infrastructure projects-though they have not clarified or explained what these projects would be.

United Tax Party
Right, some Centre-right
Key ideologies: Libertarianism, Economic liberalism, Classical liberalism, Isolationism, Minimalism, populism.
Key bases: Business people, economists, upper class.
Leader: Josie Farnfour
The United Tax Party began life as the United Tax Alliance in 2006 as part of a protest against the Lib-SocDem govt's tax rises. Whilst it only has one seat many expect it to do well offering, as it does, an alternative take on the anti-establishment world feeling. The party endorses libertarian ideals as it basis with an isolationist policy and a freeze on defence spending. It has endorsed more free trade and free market policies, welfare spending reductions and less environmental protection with a minimalist government as its end game. It hopes to win more seats and views a hung Parliament as a good situation to broker something in.

You may vote once. Think of your vote as mainly representing the proportional aspect of the Chamber. However, it will have some bearing on the electorate seats and overall result as well, so the vote counts for both. There will be updates throughout the next week and a bit. Endorsements and questions from foreign parties and individuals are welcome.

[Monchecken]

Current Standings in the Chamber of Pop (before polls open and all seats become vacant)

300 Seats (Plus any Overhang), 151 Needed for a Majority

National Party (152)
Liberal Party (71)
Social Democrats (49)

Independent Monchecken (4)
Tribalist Party (8)
Minor Parties/Independents/Speaker (16)

[The Intergalactic Universe Corporation]

The Galactic Federation endorses the United Tax Party as well as the National Party, and would like to donate 8 million NSD to the United Tax Party.

[Banten Sultanate]

Banten Sultanate endorses the Liberal Party as Moncheken's ruling party due to its ideological vision and gesture as a Libertarian Centrist.

[Monchecken]

The Galactic Federation endorses the United Tax Party as well as the National Party, and would like to donate 8 million NSD to the United Tax Party.

The National Party leader and Prime Minister Nathaniel Jools thanks the Galactic Federation for their endorsement and support. The leader of the United Tax Party Josie Farnfour also thanks the Federation for their endorsement and says they hope this will be the start of big things for the party. Unfortunately Moncheck election laws prohibit campaign contributions from foreign countries.

[Monchecken]

Banten Sultanate endorses the Liberal Party as Moncheken's ruling party due to its ideological vision and gesture as a Libertarian Centrist.

Liberal party leader Oscar Luyss has thanked the Sultanate for their endorsement. Speaking to journalists on the campaign trail Mr Luyss said that such endorsements from other countries show that the Liberals can work well in government when it comes to foreign relations and improving and expanding trade and diplomacy with others.

[Monchecken]

Economics

Whilst much of the campaign so far has been centred on defence today's campaigning saw a lot of discussion about the economy and the basic beliefs and policies of each party examined. In their speeches Nathaniel Jools and Oscar Luyss both claimed the other lacked clarification on their economic policy whilst Independent Monchecken leader Paulus Gedon proclaimed himself 'not an economist so I won't get it wrong like they always do.' Josie Farnfour, the only actual economist in the running spent much of the day discussing her party's plans though polls have shown her 'econ-talks' go down badly with voters. As the election continues the Moncheck Daily Post will run a series of articles about policy and people making this election. Here's a more detailed look at each party's economic plans and beliefs:

National Party
Key economic ideology: Neo-liberal economics, Monetarism
The Nationals' motto this year is 'keep on at it.' The Prime Minister has claimed his party's economic policies and budgets have been working and are working well. In a recent conference the Treasurer of Monchecken defended this year's sluggish growth by saying it was a natural response to the uncertainty over Creckon and would return to stronger figures once the situation was resolved by defence spending increases. The Nationals are the children of the 1980s New Right with their stated belief in monetarist and neoliberal economics. In truth however the party, consensus driven as it is, has often been less pure and ideological than it claims. Despite Nathaniel Jools' promise to cut welfare and make benefits harder to claim when he came to power in 2014 the National government has made few and little changes to the massive welfare budget. It has also used economic stimulus packages. It did cut taxes for the richest earners however, from 62% to 60%. Its policies economically this election include promised moderate cuts to welfare, a deregulation review which would see many business regulations scrapped and make it easier for people to start businesses and of course, defence spending rises in the budget in February.

Liberal Party
Key economic ideology: Keynesianism
The Liberals have changed little economically since the Woolford years. Although they accepted much of the free market reforms of the various Nationals before them they also restored much of the welfare and role for the unions. Oscar Luyss has spoken fondly of the role of the unions and public sector workers in the making of Moncheck society. He has criticised sluggish growth and called for an economic stimulus package to help stimulate the economy because of rising tension with Creckon. New trade deals, a corporate tax rise and a raising of the personal allowance (money kept before any tax is collected), have been key parts of his party's policy. So too are the traditional commitments to full employment and low inflation. Luyss has proposed new public sector jobs and investment in green energy and research. Like the Prime Minister he has also highlighted some regulations he'd like to see scrapped but has said welfare spending should be reformed and better organised rather than spending cut. Defence rises have been highlighted with Luyss also particularly promising future homegrown development research projects into new fighters and submarines.

Social Democrats
Key economic ideology: Planned economy, Command economy, State socialism
How the times have changed. Before William Lusk was leader the Social Democrats were a modernised Third Way social democrat party. Now they seem more inclined to socialism than social democracy. Lusk's new economic policies may not be supported by many of his own MPs but they've inspired generations of diehard, old guard socialists, young and old. He has spoken of completely transforming the Moncheck economy including nationalisation of a number of key private industries, taxes raised on the rich from 60% to 70% and other rises in corporation taxes, a commission to plan and centralise some aspects of the economy and infrastructure projects. Most contentiously he has called for large defence cuts, akin to a whole percentage of GDP (Monchecken currently spends 2% of its GDP on defence). A number of trade deals have also been condemned by Lusk and he's promised to scrap them if the Social Democrats win or have a big enough hand in a coalition. He began his leadership by wearing a I love Protectionism t-shirt. If Lusk's party has a large hand in the next government the economy will never look the same again.

Tribalist Party
Key economic ideology: Primitivism, Green politics
The Tribalists are perhaps the most radical in their economic policy. In their manifesto they state they will, naturally, cut state spending as the state recedes and people return to tribal living, living off the land and in small dwellings and communions. Beyond that they have few definitive economic policies. Members of the party have been known to denounce the modern system of international finance. Some have classified them as communist because of their 'withering away of the state' policy though they disagree saying they are 'tribalist.'

Independent Monchecken
Key economic ideology: Protectionism, nativism, state control
Whilst often called far right Independent Monchecken is relatively left wing economically. Paulus Gedon has called for Moncheck ownership of businesses, favouring nativist policies on ownership and employment including allowing discrimination in favour of native Monchecks over other citizens and immigrants. He has called for the nationalisation of some popular industries but not others. He has also, like William Lusk, condemned certain trade deals and said a protectionist system would be best for Monchecken. Redon has linked immigration to sluggish growth with no clear proof. He has also called for investment in infrastructure and big building projects though when asked by one newspaper what this meant he declined to disclose the plans 'in case one of the other parties nicks my good idea.' The only specific budget promise is for massive defence spending rises, perhaps as much as a trillion according to the manifesto (though fact checkers have found this impossible.) Gedon has said if he became Prime Minister he would take personal supervision of the economy.

United Tax Party
Key economic ideology: Neoliberal economics, Classical liberalism, Monetarism, Libertarian economics.
The economic policy dictated by an economist. Josie Farnfour is the only economist leader of a Moncheck political party since the 1970s, a fact the party has proclaimed over and over again when presenting its economic policies in person and their manifesto. If the Nationals claim neoliberal affiliation but practice more moderate policies the United Tax Party are purists, in love with the free market. They have said they will scrap a third to half of all public spending in their first budget, slash taxes on the rich from 60% to a flat tax of 8% over the next five years (assuming they're elected all that time) and begin numerous free trade deals. Existing deals with unions would be reviewed. The only spending area that would survive, at least for the foreseeable future, would be defence which would be frozen. Farnfour has called for a real revolution, an economic one in many of her speeches.

[Monchecken]

Monchecken Broadcasting Corporation-Radio News At One

Prime Minister Nathaniel Jools has promised a tax cut for middle class earners in an apparently off the cuff remark during a campaign stop in his hometown of Jonton. The tax cut, which does not feature in the National party's manifesto, was later denied by party officials at National campaign headquarters but Mr Jools reiterated the promise to journalists later on whilst eating and campaigning in a local cafe. Liberal leader Oscar Luyss has criticised the Prime Minister for making up 'nonsense' on the campaign trail.

The leader of the United Tax party Josie Farnfour has been caught on mic calling a number of her opponents fools. Details of the recordings, which were taken by the Daily Moncheck Post before an interview, have not been formally released though it is understood Ms Farnfour called a number of her opponents as leader foolish and preachy and used a number of slurs.

Liberal leader Oscar Luyss has promised a new generation of nuclear power stations would be backed if his party wins. Asked whether nuclear power conflicted with his green beliefs Luyss denied this saying he intended to increase investment and use of green energy but that nuclear power, when used incredibly safely, was an important and necessary stop gap. He promised a review of nuclear energy safety and security before any plans moved forward.

A number of marches in Northern towns in Monchecken with large immigrant populations have been cancelled by the anti-immigration Independent Monchecken. Party supporters were met with silent protestors aligned across streets, many holding counter-protest signs against the party's policies and rhetoric. Paulus Gedon, the leader of the party, denounced the protestors as part of an 'establishment plot.'

In non-election news the royal family has announced it will take part in celebrations on new year's eve in Thornfern. The family usually spends the new year in their residence in Jasperland. National Police have announced plans for the family's security during street celebrations have already been extensively drawn up and practiced in advance.

[Monchecken]

Monchecken Broadcasting Corporation-Radio News at Six, Including Election Update

The Prime Minister Nathaniel Jools has said that his off the cuff tax cut policy promise is official National party policy. The policy does not appear in the National's manifesto but Mr Jools said the policy was something he and his party stood by. Yesterday spokesmen for the National party appeared to undermine the Prime Minister when they denied his policy was their party's intention but today party headquarters said a communication problem had caused the misunderstanding.

The leader of Independent Monchecken Paulus Gedon has claimed that the Moncheck Defence Forces and Moncheck Intelligence Organisation are 'overrun with Creckonian spies and infiltrators and moles.' The leader of the far right populist party did not offer any evidence for his claims. He claimed that if his party won Mr Gedon would personally oversee a wide ranging investigation and vetting of every senior member of the Defence Forces and MIO and urged Parliament to set up a parliamentary committee to investigate the claims when Parliament opens again after the election. A spokesperson for the Department of Moncheck Security which oversees the defence forces and MIO said Mr Gedon's claims were 'total nonsense.'

All major parties have agreed to the traditional two day agreed break between major parties for New Year's Eve and New Year's day, spokesmen say. Although some campaigning will take place in the morning and afternoon of tomorrow all campaigns except Independent Monchecken will suspend campaigning over the weekend. The leader of Independent Monchecken Paulus Gedon said he would not stop his fight against the establishment that was 'endangering Moncheck lives.'

The Thornfern Stock Exchange had a poor final day of trading before closing for the New year and bank holiday. Worries over Creckon and sluggish growth are thought to have dampened the final day despite the Treasurer of Monchecken urging stockbrokers to be big and confident 'this year and next.'

All party leaders have been invited to make traditional speeches on their foreign policy at the Thornfern Alliance Club next week. The speeches from each leader are usually seen as defining the nature and beliefs of their foreign policy ahead of the election on Friday.

[Monchecken]

MBC-Radio News At Ten, Including Election Update

Election campaigning is due to resume tomorrow in Monchecken ahead of Friday's general election. The leaders of all three major parties are due to give foreign policy speeches Thornfern Alliance Club tomorrow evening. Tweets from Social Democrat leader William Lusk denouncing Liberal leader Oscar Luyss have dominated news today. Mr Lusk called Mr Luyss, his potential future coalition partner, a 'warmonger' and 'fanatic' and urged people to vote Social Democrat and get 'a moderate coalition in on Saturday.' Mr Lusk also denounced the Prime Minister for his defence policy. There have been no comments from either the Nationals or Liberals.

The King has confirmed his daughter is 'fine and well' after a security scare at last night's New Year's celebrations. Twenty year old Princess Juylia was allegedly reported briefly missing by royal staff after getting lost at a street party. Tweets suggesting the Princess had been kidnapped circulated for some hours. The King denied what he called 'overblown reports' and said that security had been with the Princess the whole night. Princess Juylia made news recently after confirming she would 'certainly consider' running for Monarch at the next Royal election when her father abdicates or dies.

For the first time in thirty years annual new year's surfing celebrations in the Lovwen town of Khipcoole were cancelled due to security fears. The annual 1st of January Khipcoole surfing celebrations often sees crowds of hundreds, including tourists, take to the sea at dusk to usher in the first day of the new year. However a statement from the Moncheck Defence Forces early this morning confirmed the area would be off bounds due to security fears with Creckon. Organisers for the event said a new belated event was being organised for next Sunday evening in another nearby town with details forthcoming.

[Monchecken]

MBC Radio News at Four-Including Election Update

Election campaigning has continued in the final days before polls open on Friday. All party leaders held rallies today in key marginal seats and areas. The Prime Minister Nathaniel Jools has accused the Liberal and Social Democrat parties of being in a 'crisis' after the Social Democrat leader William Lusk called Liberal leader Oscar Luyss' foreign policy 'madness' when he promised equipment upgrades and investment in a new generation of hunter-killer submarines. Both Mr Jools and Mr Luyss said they would not rule out the development of nuclear weapons. This promise from the leaders follows a Chamber of Pop vote in favour of looking at nuclear weapon development before the Christmas recess. Mr Lusk said his policy of 'victory through peace' would win out and suggested that Creckon threats of invasion were simply 'misplaced statements by the regime which wants trade,' and accused Mr Jools of 'talking up a war.'

A leading economist on the Bank of Monchecken monetary committee, that sets interest rates, has said he will not resign after a letter written by him criticising National Party economic policy was leaked. The economist, Quentin Poolion, criticised the National government's cuts to welfare spending and said that certain members of the National party's Finance ministry favoured an 'irresponsible and preposterous flat tax.' Nathaniel Jools called for Mr Poolion's resignation and said that party politics should not be invoked in the monetary committee's decisions and reports on economic policy. Mr Poolion said that he had voted National 'a number of times' in the past.

A broadcast from the Creckon Regime's top military generals and admirals has threatened to seize Moncheck territory in the north. General James Aolitu, the most senior army officer in Creckon, accused Monchecken of broadcasting propaganda broadcasts and invading Creckon territorial water with submarines. The Department of Moncheck Defence said the allegations were nonsense.

The Citizen's Voluntary Voting Society has said it will protest Monchecken's compulsory voting policies on Friday as it always does. The CVVS said it would pay the nominal fee that is demanded when people fail to vote.

The Patriarch of the Jasper Christian Church has urged all Monchecks to be respectful and fair when voting on Friday. Patriarch Peter III said that the election had been bitter in places and urged Monchecks to unite with 'love.'

[Monchecken]

Twenty hours before the polls close.

[Monchecken]

MBC One-Election Night Live

Welcome to Election Night, live on MBC. From six this morning till just now at ten all Moncheck citizens over eighteen have had the responsibility to vote. With an electorate of 7.9 million people registered to take part Monchecks across the country have been casting their votes today. Last night in the capital Thornfern the three major party leaders took part in a special blessing from the Patriarch of the Jasper Christian Church Peter III calling for a peaceful and calm new year of politics and a smooth and fair election. Tonight the Prime Minister Nathaniel Jools, Liberal leader Oscar Luyss and Social Democrat leader William Lusk will be waiting to see who will form the next government. Indeed, for the first year in a while all the minor parties will be hoping to ride a wave of worldwide anti-establishment feeling and turn it into votes and seats for their parties, ranging from the minimalist libertarians United Tax party to the far right Independent Monchecken.

Opinion polls up to this point have suggested the National party are going to lose and the Liberal-Social Democrat coalition is going to return to government after three years out of power. That said the criticisms William Lusk has made to his possible coalition colleague has made the prospects of the coalition harder to pinpoint and nobody knows how big a role the usually minor, smaller parties will play. We'll find out shortly as the results come in over night.

FINAL RESULTS-The new Standings in the Chamber of Pop
300 Seats (Plus any Overhang), 151 Needed for a Majority

Liberal Party 144 (+73)
Social Democrats 56 (+7)

National Party 45 (-107)

United Tax Party 33 (+32)
Independent Monchecken 19 (+15)
Minor Parties/Independents/Speaker (3)

New Government Figures: The Liberal-Social Democrat Parties Coalition
Actual majority of 50
Working, overall Majority of 100

In a shocking night all round the Liberal party has gained an enormous 73 seats, wiping out the National party and ascending to 144 seats itself, just 7 short of an overall majority alone. This is the highest swing to the Liberals in a single election and whilst not their highest seat total is an enormous victory for Oscar Luyss, who looks set to be the next Prime Minister. The Nationals under Prime Minister Nathaniel Jools have lost over 100 seats and been reduced to just 45 seats, only twelve seats ahead of the next largest party the United Tax party. This is their second worst result in history and they have experienced a nearly ten percent wing to the Liberals. Despite all the popular support within their own party ranks William Lusk's Social Democrats have only gained seven seats, though they are still ahead of the Nationals in seat terms. The United Tax Party had a brilliant night gaining 32 seats and rocketing them to the fourth position whilst the far right anti-immigration party Independent Monchecken also gained fifteen. The Tribalist party, which went into the election with eight seats were wiped out and lost all their seats.

Where does this leave the picture politically for Monchecken? The Liberals and Social Democrats have agreed to form their usual coalition with Luyss as Prime Minister and Lusk as deputy despite the animosity between the two parties over the election. Yet whilst this seems like a stunning victory for the centre (and the centre-left) Independent Monchecken and economically right United Tax party have also gained dramatically, often at the expense of the Nationals. Whilst we have what is a victory for liberalism in Monchecken we also seem to have seen an anti-establishment spike too.

How will the new coalition work out? The Liberals are by far the dominant partners and the Social Democrats will feel disappointed with their results despite gaining seats when they were expecting so much more. Lusk has been, in some cases, more critical of the Liberals than the Nationals and the two are at odds over defence and economics, two key areas for this new government. Whilst Lusk's own MPs may be pleased the leader himself will not get on well with his new Prime Minister.

MBC Radio News at Ten
Oscar Luyss has taken office as the new Prime Minister of Monchecken. Mr Luyss kissed hands with the King this morning at half past nine after Nathaniel Jools thanked supporters and the public for his three years as Prime Minister and went to the Palace of the Theo to tender his resignation. Mr Luyss Social Democrat leader partner William Lusk has said a coalition has been agreed between the two parties despite claims of animosity in recent days. Mr Jools apologised to National party supporters for a bad night and said he would be resigning as soon as a new leader was found and announced a leadership contest to begin within days.

Other parties have been celebrating their results. The United Tax party leader Josie Farnfour, who was elected as a list MP, said she was looking forward to playing her part in the politics of Monchecken despite the coalition taking office. Independent Monchecken leader Paulus Gedon said that, despite the coalition winning a large majority, that people had voted for real change in his party and said he would oppose all measures the coalition put forward. The council of the Tribalist party have not made any statements since their party lost all eight seats during yesterday's election.

Mr Luyss is due to be briefed by the Moncheck Security Council and announce his cabinet positions in the next few days with Parliament due for its state opening by the King next Wednesday.