ZNN National Election Update
THE MAP
The camera slowly zooms in to a pair of news anchors, sitting in front of a rough map of the continent and nation of Zellatia. Both seem to be shuffling papers and whispering to themselves. The lights flicker on and they immediately fly into their routine.
“Hello, again I am Johannes Ziebrecken, filling in for Anchor Zeldin Marajji who is up for election today as a potential representative of the Zellatian Moderation Party in Gendia Province.”
“and I am Beatrice ZeTreppe, welcome to the Zellatian News Network National Election Update.”
The ZNN Theme plays as they turn to a different camera as it zooms in.
“Our top story,” Beatrice begins, “the elections. Of course.”
“That’s right Beatrice,” Johannes said, straightening the papers in his hands, “Polls are likely to be open for another few hours in the far flung reaches of the Democratic Empire of Zellatia, specifically in the more isolated reaches of the New Zellatian Territories far to the southeast, and some of the old colonies that have rejoined the Empire recently. Now Beatrice, fill me and the viewers who might be unfamiliar with democratic processes in on what we’re to expect.”
“Of course Jo,” Beatrice says, having repeated this a number of times today already. “Due to some delays by the mainline Loyalist Democratic Party to hold elections after the Insurrection a few years back-“
“Almost five years now, Beatrice!
“Yes,” Beatrice said, shooting a look at her co-anchor, “that would be correct. Snap elections were called after the cleanup of that disaster and the Loyalist Democratic Party further strengthened their control over the Thelakhan and the Khain, our elective bodies, and their coalition has controlled 60% of the total seats in both ever since. This will be the first election since the redistricting at the end of last year due to population shifts across Zellatia as a result of said Insurrection.”
“This year the 38 Provinces of Zellatia and the many former dominions that are now being integrated into the provincial system will be able to vote for their Prime Minister, as well as who they want to represent them in the Thelakhan. The seats in the Khain will be distributed according to the popular vote and all Senators in the Khain must be chosen from those in the former Dominions, a one-time effort as a compromise with the former “colonies” of Zellatia,” Johannes continued.
“Right. I’ll finish the explanation, Jo,” Beatrice said, again a slightly angry look in her eyes as she continued. “Currently there are 9 major political parties in Zellatia. Each claim to bring the best sort of governance when they will be elected, but that is entirely up to who the voters choose. As follows are the nine political parties and their stances:”
As she finishes speaking, the screen shifts to a circle with 9 symbols, the first of which is that Green Star of the LDP, each letter embroidered in the star.
Loyalist Democrat Party (LDP): The Center-Left Party that has been in control of Zellatian politics more or less for the last decade. Somewhat more hawkish than most of the other parties, but has been known to be amicable and seeks to make deals than force them. They support many social programs, such as welfare for the poorest Zellatians, free mental health clinics, and a social safety net. However, they prefer free-market solutions when possible and don’t think the government is the true answer to every problem. They are somewhat supportive of government regulations on most things, but leave some gaps when it comes to luxury goods and the like. They control around 31% of the total seats in the Thelakhan and 300 of the thousand seats in the Khain. They have historically been the leaders of the opposition or the leaders period for Zellatia, and are unaccustomed to being out of power. They are socially center-left, although not to the point of eschewing social moderates and conservatives. Led currently by Prime Minister Mortan Zelandrie.
The second symbol is an upraised fist clutching the olive branch of peace tightly. Also known as the Black Clenched Hand of Justice. Crumbling out of the hand, the letters ZMP emerge.
Zellatian Moderation Party (ZMP): The Zellatian Moderation Party considers themselves centrist, but the reality of their recent shifts would put them between Moderate and Center-Right. They believe in a lightly controlled economy, but not to the point of their rivals the LDP. They have grown in recent years due to defections from right-wing parties and monarchist groups that have long been the rivals of the LDP. Socially they are moderate, although some members skew more conservative due to high amounts of more conservative foreigners making up some of the leadership of the party. They do not eschew social safety nets, but they believe cuts are necessary to keep the Zellatian budget balanced. They are currently led by Rep. Hardek Destronikan, most famous for his role as the leader of the Zellatian Foreign Legion, which he just resigned from prior ot the election. They control 13% of the seats in the Thelakhan and 130 in the Khain. This means that they are effectively the Third Party of Zellatia, behind the older BEP.
The third symbol shifts into view, almost dominating the rest of the screen. It glows softly as it is highlighted to reveal the Radiant Purple Crown of the TMZP. The Acronym floats almost menacingly in the background.
Thelakisto-Monarchist Zellatian Party (T-MZP): This Center-right party is famous for its Zellatian ethno-centrism. They formed as a response to the modernization efforts of Emperor Zellan III. However, in recent years since the Insurrection they have moderated their message to strengthen the monarchy rather than being against the Democratization efforts of the Emperor. They are a supporter of many social welfare programs, but only to those who were born and raised in Zellatia, including expatriates who have moved away. Their constant clashes with the Ethnic Right Party have recently led to hundreds of their rank and file members in local offices across Zellatia to defect to other parties. They are extremely socially conservative and believe that government should legislate morality. They are currently led by Lord Senator Mong Camphari, who moved to Zear Isle in the former Tigarian Dominions to the south in order to keep his office.
The fourth symbol lights up and glows red-hot as it jumps into view. The Red Hammer of the TSP strikes the Anvil of Progress. Sparks eventually spell out TSP as the description of the party jumps onto the screen.
Thelakisto-Socialists Party (T-SP): This Far-Left Party fights for the average worker in Zellatia and supports heavy regulations on business and welfare for all. The end goal for the party is a socialist worker’s paradise where the Emperor is a benevolent figurehead and the nation can be at peace with the rest of the world. A large exception to this, however, is that they aim to spread the Revolution of the Zellatian Worker wherever they can and look to help spur any socialist movement across the world. Although Zellatia has plenty of social programs, this party believes they are not enough. The party is at its weakest, currently, due to the actions of the ZMP locally and the LDP at the national levels of government that has gutted their policies and made them look bad. They are members of the ruling coalition, but they’ve failed to pass many of the proposals they promised in the last election. Currently led by Rep. Hortens Wotnawt who famously marched on the capital thirty years ago with a force of socialists, but was apprehended and did not succeed in overthrowing the national govnerment.
The fifth symbol bursts into view, an Emerald Tree bursting from the soil of Zellatia. The Aura of Prosperity arches around it as the acronym of PGP emerges from the soil next to the tree.
Pacifista-Green Party (P-GP): The Green Party of Zellatia, the PGP is a Left-Wing party that strives to be at peace with the earth and other nations. Given that much of the industrialization of Zellatia has been largely environmentally conscious, the PGP is the face of things staying that way. That does not mean that they are a large party, as they are the smallest of the nine major parties in Zellatia. The PGP is also a member of the ruling coalition of Zellatia and largely represents any ministry that is related to nature. However, they always vote against any war proposals, which goes against much of Zellatian history. Currently led by Lord Senator Gree Zeldagar, who is likely to be forced into retirement if he does not win big this year.
The sixth symbol slowly move from the background to the foreground, two massive Silver Pillars of Industry rolling forward on treads. They are the Silver Pillars of the BEP.
Business Expansion Party (BEP): This Center Right party strives to lower regulations on business, which are pretty tight in Zellatia. They have been the main opposition party for the last decade against the LDP. Their loss from Prime Ministry was a culmination of their feud with the former other half of the party on the grounds of government’s involvement with industry. The BEP believes that some regulation is necessary, but that it should work to streamline business as well. The BEP has largely recovered from the split and it is widely believed that they’ll finally break the DTP this year. The party is also socially moderate and believes that some safety net is required to keep people off the streets. They are currently led by Former Prime Minister and Rep Zeldin Moranth. He regained control of the party after the disastrous election in 2012 and hopes to regain his old seat at the top.
Erupting from the darkness, the seventh symbol of two Blue Fists of Justice slam into the Soil of Tyranny to reveal the letters of the next party, the ERP.
Ethnic Right Party (ERP): This Far Right party is all about provincial and ethnic autonomy. Their ideal Empire is one of decentralized power and no real leader. The aim is to create the United Confederation of Sovereign Peoples, with a rotating capital for fairness. The oldest actual party that was formed during the days of Zellath IX, and was headed by the traitorous Neuk Mons shortly before the Second Zellatian Civil War. They are the most conservative party in Zellatia socially, but believes in an extremely strong safety net for all peoples. This has led to long-term clashes with the TMZP. Most of their popularity has been undercut by the rearrest of Neuk Mons by provincial authorities after he broke out of jail during the Insurrection (and subsequent death of old age) and the integration of the provinces into Zellatia. Can they recover? They are currently led by Rep. Karol Zelmeisterin, who married Neuk Mons’ oldest son, Zeke Mons.
The eight symbol breaks out of the walls in the background, landing in front of the camera as two giant bars of gold. The Golden Bullion of Progress shake off gold dust to reveal the acronym of the DTP.
Death and Taxes Party (DTP): This party which is Right Wing supports lowered taxes and less regulation. The main issue they disagree on with the BEP is that they believe governance should have no role in business at all, not even regulation. Some have described them as a Libertarian party, but this is only somewhat accurate, as they still believe government should enforce freedom in how people live. The only business, the DTP believe, that the government should have in the economy is to buoy businesses that are not doing so well or running simple basic services. They formed out of a schism with the BEP, which was becoming the 2nd largest party before the split. Currently led by Rep Ladamilla Du, who was formerly the Dean of the School of Economic Development at the University of Zellatia, Imperial Branch before she founded the party.
The Ninth, and last symbol, strikes the ground from the sky, the Rainbow Thunderbolt of Progress shattering the ground to reveal the acronym of the PAP.
Progressive Action Party (PAP): This party is Left Wing, and is also a warfare-loving party. They are the most Hawkish party in all of Zellatia and have a tendency to cry for invasion at the drop of the hat. However, they are also socially progressive, in the sense that they want society to be as permissive of “deviant” behaviors as possible, from drug use to prostitution, and to grant cities places where these actions exist unimpeded. They are also the most fervently progressive on LGBT+ rights out of all of the parties. The PAP are a part of the ruling coalition. Currently led by Lord Senator Chapra Gorra.
As the nine symbols fade away, a large Question Mark hits the screen hard.
“Besides the nine mainstream parties,” the voice over begins, “there are dozens of other minor parties, ranging from the agrarians of the Hatari Party, to the religious nationalists such as the Captholic and Solus Parties. What these parties all have in common is that they are local voices in an otherwise voiceless system. Shall any of them break out of the mold? We’ll find out.”
The lights flicker out and then flicker back on again, revealing the two anchors.
“And we’re back!” Johannes says loudly, shuffling his papers again, “I hope you enjoyed that presentation. We should soon be seeing the results of the first region in Zellatia to report, the Zellatia Proper Capital District!”
“We’ll report in when we have that completely ready to report. On behalf of ZNN, I’m Beatrice ZeTreppe and my colleague is Johannes Ziebrecken. We’ll have some experts drop by to interpret the results as they come in,” Beatrice says as she signs off, the screen cutting to commercial.
