Union Senate Election (FT, OPEN)

[Peoples Cities]

Factbook for the Parak Star Nation: https://www.nationstates.net/nation=peo ... id=1156934

Broadcasts emanated from the three solar systems of the Parak Star Nation urging all citizens to vote for a new Union Senate, the parliament of the P.S.N. who would then in turn appoint a Supreme Representative. Various factions voiced their concerns and agenda on large holographic billboards in the sprawling multilayered mega cities.
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UNION FOCUS: "The jump lane network is now fully established allowing us to maintain an interstellar society but the defense force has not kept up since the end of the Parak Rebellion. At present there are only two fleets that must protect nine Planetary Republic's spread across three star systems. At any moment we may be faced with a first contact situation and for this reason we urge the good people of the Parak Star Nation to vote for Union Focus! For a stronger star nation, A faction you can trust to defend and strengthen our society from the great cosmic threats we have yet to face!"
Union Focus Agenda: More political power for the Admiralty and fleet expansion as well as more funding for ground based armed forces as well as a more authoritarian political structure.
Political Leader: Yuz Al Pok (98yo) Current Chief Admiral, Yuz has been a staple of Parakian politics for decades with a hawkish and conservative outlook, known for his fiery debates in the Union Senate calling for greater centralization of political power.
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CONFEDERATE ALLIANCE: "With each passing year political power for the Planetary Republic's has been usurped and drained away into the Union Senate and hugely powerful Star Nation Council. We call for a restructuring that will give greater political powers to the Planetary Republic's and re-align more as a confederation. We are not separatists and wish to maintain the integrity of the unified star nation, but we believe the planetary republics are being left out of many important decisions! Vote for the Confederate Alliance!"
Confederate Alliance Agenda: Reduce the role of the Union Senate and return more powers to the planetary assemblies and give greater influence to the Planetary Representatives.
Political Leader: Tor Mal Kin (48yo) Tor has a very moderate and liberal position and is incredibly suspicious of the larger interstellar organs of power. His debates in the Union Senate mostly center around exposing corruption within the chamber and is harshly critical of the level of power held by both the Union Senate and the Star Nation Council
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BUSINESS LEAGUE: "The economy is a slave for the great bureaucratic structures that lord over us, its time to liberate the economy from the shackles of the political class. We push for a Star Nation that is prosperous and wealthy! A vote for the Commerce League means more political power for both the Comcon and the Banking Union which is sure to have a flow on effect of making everyone a little more wealthier in the process!"
Business League Agenda: Greater powers for the wealthy and commercial entities within the star nation, while keeping the political system mostly untouched, but its positions packed with oligarchs and elites.
Political Leader: Muun Es Kort (75yo), is a powerful industrialist who is known for his large reserves of private wealth and is constantly championing the cause of the wealthy elites in society. A well known oligarch who has never struggled or been poor at all, also is known to treat the poor as inferior.
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PARAK FIRST: "We are a recent arrival to interstellar society but the importance of the home system and the home world remains paramount. As the most populous system we must ensure the set up of our society benefits the home system as well as the Narin and Mursek system. We do not want further decentralization or centralization, we only wish to build on what we already have and follow a utilitarian model of the greatest good for the greatest number. Whether you live in the Parak system or not, a vote for Parak First will put all Parakian's first!"
Parak First Agenda: Is known as a very status quo faction that does not cope with change very well, but is good at maintaining stability with moderate positions on almost everything.
Political Leader: Un Lu Wey (58yo), The current incumbent Supreme Representative of the Parak Star Nation, he has been consistently on the center of many issues, calling for peaceful development while still making sure the home system remains fully supplied and prosperous, seeing as over 50% of the PSN population is in the Parak system, most of his support base comes from the home system.
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RADICAL COLLECTIVE: "RadCol Here's the plea of the many millions stuck in abject poverty in the lower levels of the mega cities, all of those left out of this system of rampant corruption and exploitation, we are here to project their voice and concerns within the Union Senate and fight for change! We are not violent but sometimes people power needs a resurgence, never forget the power of the people during the Parak Rebellion. The Partisan Fleet is not what it once was and its time for a new faction to break into the Union Senate and push for a revolution! Vote for us so we can push your interests into the face of the elites!"
Radical Collective Agenda: Wealth redistribution and limit the powers of the economic and business forces, name and shame the oligarchs, give more funding and independence to the Partisan Fleet
Political Leader: Herm En Po (39yo), Having served in politics in the Keldar Planetary Republic she saw the unfairness of the economic policies that seemed to benefit the home system, she served one term as Keldar Planetary Representative and when that job brought her to the P.S.N. capital on Parakia she was confronted by the extreme wealth inequality present in the multilayered mega cities where some would go their entire lives without ever seeing sunlight, incensed she is the founder of the Radical Collective to push for change.
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INDEPENDENTS COMPACT: "We are not one way or the other, but a united front of the various independent factions and leaders that can not be summed up with just one explanation. We pledge to be a neutral counter to the larger factions and hold them accountable to the voters! A neutral voice you can trust!"
Independents Compact Agenda: Hold the larger factions to account, centrist moderate positions with various members from different sides of the debate, hopes to be a coalition partner in selecting a Supreme Representative if it does not gain a majority of votes.
Political Leader: Bin Du Som (138), A war hero who fought during the Parak Rebellion over 99 years ago on the side of the revolutionists who sided with the colonial frontier worlds who were greatly exploited by the home world, having served as Chief Delegate of the Partisan Fleet for decades he is now a civilian political leader but also has followers within the military to this day.

[Peoples Cities]

Campaigning was in full swing across all nine planetary republics within the PSN and citizens were able to start early voting via electronic booths or connecting directly to the citizen election database via cybernetic chip implants that most citizens had.

Early pooling suggests the Parak First, Radical Collective and Confederate Alliance were tied with equal levels of support, however with a month to go the election could still go either way.....

[Peoples Cities]

Centrum Sector, the largest mega city within the PSN was a constant hive of activity, from the luxury sky scrapers on the upper levels down to the slums of the lower levels. The Election campaigning penetrated at all levels, even contested area's of the lower level that were completely taken over by armed gangs. Still, holographic billboards urged citizens to vote, vote, VOTE!
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[Peoples Cities]

Centrum Sector

the 98 year old Yuz Al Pok was in his military regalia as his private shuttle hurtled through the sky lanes of flying traffic, among the towering arcologies of the megacity on rout to a large gleaming sky scrapper.

"Good, we have almost arrived" he leaned back in the comfortable backseat before the shuttle maneuvered onto a landing pad. Muun Es Kort the leader of the Business League faction was there waiting surrounded by other business leaders. As the shuttle landed the doors lifted open and Yuz stepped out and walked towards Muun.

"It's an honor to receive you here Chief Admiral" spoke Muun

"Thank you for the welcome, shall we get down to business"

"Of course" Muun led the old chief admiral into the luxury penthouse which was on the 360th level of the arcology. The interior was made out of fine luxury materials

All those in attendance sat down on the plush purple sofa around a short glass table "Bring out some refreshments for us will you" ordered Muun to a nearby serving droid "At once master Muun" spoke the droid.

"Congratulations on the latest polling for the Union Senate Elections" stated Yuz

"We are tied with three of the other factions"

"I'm confident that closer to the election the voters will swing in our favour, should that happen we should work together to outmaneuver the radicals, they can not be allowed to win" said Yuz

"Parak First is our biggest rival, as the incumbent Supreme Representative Un Lu Wey might be hard to unseat, he enjoys vast support from the home system populace" spoke Muun. Just then the droid returned with a tray containing a crystal glass decanter of ice water, as well as some glasses and a tea pot with some more cups. The droid then began to fill the cups with tea and the glasses with ice water. Muun grabbed a glass of water while Yuz grabbed one of the cups of tea.

"Un is a centrist and could side with the radicals if we do not bring him over to our side first" said Yuz

"The radicals may be polling at 22% but I can assure you we could form a coalition with Un, if we support him for a second term he will owe us some political favors in the future" said Muun before taking a gulp from his water.

"In Any case we should work together"

"Of course, I'm quite confident we can block any attempt by the radicals to take power, and our friends in the Commercial Consortium have quite a detailed funding strategy for the election that will smear the radicals and promote our own candidates. We already have established considerable holo-billboards for advertising"

"But I understand you are not campaigning in the lower city?"

Muun snorted "The lower city are the dregs of society, siding with the radicals no doubt, its the only areas where they will find support. In any case many area's of the lower city are controlled by armed gangs or have broken out into violent fighting and civil war, I think you will find not many of the low dwellers will be turning up come election day"

"True" Yuz took another sip of his tea, confident that the election would turn out as he hoped...

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[Peoples Cities]

Parakia Planetary Republic
Centrum Sector

Un Lu Wey the current Supreme Representative was in his office in the upper levels of the Senate Orb, a large circular building in the upper levels of the mega city. He had quite an election fight ahead of him, with polls indicating an election loss for his own faction Parak First.

"We must turn this situation around!" News of the bad poll ratings had clearly unsettled him as he berated his assistants and staff for the poor results. "We don't have much time left until a new Union Senate is elected and if these poll's are anything to go by, we will be out of office and back in opposition!"

"Supreme Representative, if I may say so, perhaps aligning ourselves with one of the other factions might prove advantageous, a coalition agreement with one of the other factions perhaps?" spoke up one of the assistants

"Yes, we can do a coalition, our centrist stance means we can decide to side with either the radicals and separatists or the militarists and business league" Un turned to face the floor to ceiling window that looked over the sea of skyscrapers that sprawled endlessly into the distance. His deep purple skin still a little flushed pink from his anger "With the radical collective leading in the poll's..... perhaps we can do a deal with them"

"I believe it would be best Supreme Representative if we do not align with either group until closer to the election as the polls are still early and subject to change, things can still swing in our favor"

"Perhaps we need a new strategy in the campaign" suggested Un

"What did you have in mind?"

Un turned back to the aides sitting across from his desk "We must try and pick up more votes from the Narin and Mursek system, let the people know that the Parak First faction works for all systems not just the home system, we need to appeal to a broader constituent"

"But Supreme Representative, over half the population reside in the Parak system, your base of support lies here"

"Well then its time to broaden my support and spread it beyond the home system. Parakian's in the Narin and Mursek system need to know we can represent them just as well. make preparations for my personal visit to Narin and Mursek at once"

"Very well Supreme Representative"
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[Peoples Cities]

Tor Mal Kin the 48 year old leader of the Confederate Alliance was in a soundproof studio recording a new holographic campaign ad

"With every passing year the Planetary Republic's see their power usurped by the Union Senate and Star Nation Council. It is time for the Planetary Republic's to take back their power! A vote for the Confederate Alliance is a vote for decentralization of the established power structures! We say no to the elites and no to further centralization! Vote Confederate Alliance!" with that the holographic recorders finished and Tor stepped out of the studio

"So how was it?" He asked his staff and the recording staff

"It was good, unfortunately the Business League have booked out all the prime holo-billboard spaces in Centrum Sector" replied one of the staff

"But they usually neglect advertising space in the lower city, so there are still many placed to put the ad's in the lower levels" spoke up another

"Hmmm true, we will put up the ad's wherever we can" replied Tor

Tor was a green skinned cone head who was quite solidly built and was considered nice on the eyes. He gestured for his staff to follow him out of the studio, walking past various other soundproof rooms

"How are we looking in the polls?" he asked

"It appears the Radical Collective and Business League are both tied equal with 38%, we are lagging behind with Parak First. The Independents and Militarists are at an even worse position"

"Hmmm ok. Well if we were going to align with anyone it would be the Radical Collective, Herm is right when she says the system is corrupt and elites have too much power. We should reach out to her and see if she would be willing to deal with us closer to the election"

"Of course Tor"

[Peoples Cities]

Parakia Planetary Republic
Centrum Sector

Herm En Po was a blue skinned cone head, she was quite elegant looking with her earrings and necklace that adorned her with her purple robes. At 39 years old she was still quite young and considered beautiful and attractive by Parakian standards. While she did indeed do her best to champion the cause of the downtrodden, the reality was that Herm enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle in the upper level of the Centrum Sector mega city, a fact that nagged at her conscious from time to time.

Her apartment was nowhere near as sumptuous as her colleagues, it was still a very nice place with sweeping panoramic views of the sprawling sea of sky scrapers and arcologies. She had made plans to campaign in the lower city, deep beneath the streets of the upper city but due to recent outburst in gang warfare she was warned away from it, she would have to content herself with only appearing in holographic form on the holo-billboards.

As Herm rested on the sofa, she looked out of the window looking at the lanes of sky traffic and sky scrapers when a droid walked into the lounge area "Madam Po, I have a holocall holding for you, from Tor Mal Kin of the Confederate Alliance"

"Very well, patch it through" Herm sat up and faced the table before her that began to project a holographic image of the green skinned cone head

"Hello Tor, to what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked

"I just phoned to give a friendly congratulations at the latest poll results for the Radical Collective"

"Well we both know that's not the real reason for this call... You have some proposal for me?"

"Um... Well yes"

"And?"

"I believe we have many things in common and we wish to form an alliance. The Business League is tied with you and I believe they may align with Parak First to prop up Un Lu Wey for a second term. We wish to prevent that from happening"

"I have it on good authority that Un Lu Wey has not decided to align with anyone at the moment, in actual fact there is nothing stopping us from being the ones to prop him up.... But I will consider your proposal in any case. Now if you excuse me I have some business to attend to"

"Very well, thank you Herm" with that the holographic projection of Tor faded away and Herm leaned back on the sofa giving off a slight grin at this new development.

It was true the Confederate Alliance and Radical Collective had many things in common. If she was going to form a coalition with anyone it would be them, however based on current polling she would also need the support of Parak First

[Peoples Cities]

more votes needed, less than a month to go before the new Union Senate is elected which will form the composition of the Parak Star Nation government for the next 5-6 years. This will also determine who of the political leaders will be named the next Supreme Representative and the membership of the Star Nation Council. Vote!

[Peoples Cities]

Mursek System
Keldar Planetary Republic

The Supreme Representative's special escort arrived in orbit around the desert world of Keldar in the inner part of the Goldilocks zone of the Mursek star. Within moments the special escort began to descend toward the surface of the planet, making for the large megacity of Arivi which was the largest city on the planet of 9 billion inhabitants.

"We are making our approach now Supreme Representative" spoke one of the aides to Un Lu Wey.

"Very well" Un looked out of the window to his quarters as features on the planets surface became more defined the closer they got, eventually the sprawling megacity of Arivi was in view as well as a special landing platform waiting just for their arrival.

As the Supreme Representatives ship began to land the two escort ships hovered around the landing pad. A small shuttle waited nearby which contained the current Representative of the Keldar Planetary Republic as well as the representative of the Mursek system. Un made his way out of the ship and onto the landing platform

"It is an honor to receive you Supreme Representative" stated the leader of the Planetary Republic

"Thank you for the warm welcome. I will be making my way to the Narin system after this so unfortunately my stay will be brief" replied Un

"I understand. We are just glad you have been able to pull yourself away from the home world. There are some that feel forgotten by the central government"

"I am aware of that and I wish to remedy the situation and assure you all that I intend to work for the interests of all Parakian's, not just those residing in the home system"

The planetary and system representative then led Un into their shuttle to take them to the main government complex.....

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[Peoples Cities]

Narin System
In orbit above Sareed Planetary Republic

Un's trip to the Mursek system was brief, there he was able to address the Keldar Planetary Assembly in a special closed session before attending some fundraisers and a campaign rally before leading the planet and heading to the Narin system. His ship and escorts began moving around the large molten world of Shareen before the molten worlds moon of Sareed came into view. Another dry arid world, Sareed was quite small with a population of 4 billion.

The ships began to descend towards the large megacity of Loxun. Like the rest of the megacities within the Parak Star Nation, this had another multilayered design, though nowhere near as large as some of the other megacities in the PSN. As the ship and its escorts landed before the government complex Un disembarked with his security and staff, heading towards the the recently elected Prime Minister of the Sareed Planetary Republic, another new face

"Greetings Supreme Representative" spoke the red skinned cone head woman adorned in jewellery, she gave a slight bow

"Congratulations on your election Prime Minister" spoke Un, the red woman gave a nod of her head

"All these new faces you will have to get use to, there is indeed a mood for change" spoke the Prime Minister

"Yes, this election cycle has seen many new faces, It doesn't bode well for my own election prospects" said Un giving a slight chuckle. The Prime Minister smiled at this before leading Un into the government complex building.....

[Peoples Cities]

Parak System
Parakia Planetary Republic
Centrum Sector

Herm En Po stepped onto her private shuttle as the driver began to start up the engine where it hovered off the landing platform that sat next to Herm's apartment.

"To the lower city" she said as the driver nodded. The upper city was a sea of sky scrapers that stretched as far as the eye could see. Herm's own apartment had great views of the city. It was a nice day, blue skies with only a few white whisping clouds. The shuttled moved into a lane of sky traffic as Herm read over her holotablet, reading through her notes. Before long the shuttle made its way into a tunnel which seemed to move lower and lower until the tunnel opened up deep among the duracrete and durasteel sky scrapers. the sky was already starting to get blocked out at this point.

In another tunnel of traffic the shuttle made its way deeper into the city eventually emerging into a large cavernous chamber that had both towers all along the bottom as well as towers emerging from the cavernous ceiling. the only lights were from the various neon signs and buildings lights, no sky or sunlight in sight.

Herm moved forward and looked out the window at the lower city sights as the shuttle moved toward a large tower on the base, even now the city still stretched down another layer but Herm would not be going any deeper, below the lower city was the under city which was a sprawling slum with large areas controlled by armed gangs.

The shuttle landed on a platform. Security droids quickly moved around the shuttle as Herm exited. A large fat purple skinned cone head stepped out to greet Herm "It's wonderful to see you in the lower city"

"It's good to be here, shall we begin?" Herm said following the fat man and his security droids into the entrance of the tower. The lobby was decorated with murals of the upper city and contained some fine sculptures. The largest sculpture was of several beings holding up a section of the upper city on their backs and was situated in the center of the lobby

others in the lobby began to approach Herm to tell them of their hopes for the election and wish her well. So far Herm was the only person running in the election who had set foot in the lower city, all the rest only had a presence on holographic billboards. The event was both a fundraiser and a campaign rally. Herm stepped into the next room which was a auditorium that was quickly filling up with all sorts of people. Herm's own private security began to arrange for a special force field around her that would protect her in case anyone tried to assassinate her.

She stood up to the podium and faced the auditorium crowd "Thank you all for receiving me here in the lower city" she said as some in the crowd began applauding. "I come to you as your candidate for the position of Supreme Representative, we have a chance in this election for real change, to challenge the traditional power structures that would seek to rig the system against us"

Herm continued on her speech, condemning the elites and oligarchs and assuring those in the lower city that they would not be neglected should she be elected Supreme Representative and urged all those to vote for the Radical Collective. Herm's speech was broadcast across several holographic billboards, her voice and image reverberating across the cavernous lower city. The event would pass without incident with Herm hoping it would encourage more to support her candidacy. Afterwards she would return back to the upper city.

[Peoples Cities]

Parak System
Uranz Planetary Republic

Uranz was a large arid world with a thicker and hotter atmosphere than Parakia, despite being further away from the Parak star, it had less water then Parakia and more dry deserts and wastelands. It also happened to be home to 13 billion souls, making it the second most populous planet in the Parak Star Nation.

Herm En Po's ship began its descent towards the largest settlement on the large planet, gliding through the skies it began to lower on the large landing platform where some other ships had landed nearby.

"Madam we have arrived on the planet"

"Very good" replied Herm who began to make her way off the ship and onto the landing platform. Newly elected Uranz Prime Minister Laz Op Si was there to greet her.

"Welcome Herm, it is good to see you visiting our planet" said Laz, who was an elegant cone head of dark green skin and yellow lipstick with light green tattoo markings on the right side of her face

"It is an honor, and congratulations on your recent election to become the new Prime Minister" replied Herm

The two woman and their aides walked into the planetary government complex where Herm was given residence while she campaigned for the Union Senate elections......

[Peoples Cities]

Parak System
Parakia Planetary Republic
Centrum Sector

Supreme Representative Un stood at the floor the ceiling window of his office, taking time to savor the sight. If the election poll results were anything to go by, he may have to say goodbye to the office he had held for the last 5 years, unless he could do some deal with some of the other higher polling factions.

The election was one big headache but add to the mix the prospect of first contact with alien civilizations and Un had a lot on his mind. Un went through a side door of his office that led to his private residence, a comfortable, spacious and luxury apartment that he would also have to vacate should he loose the election. Un walked over to the soft red sofa and slumped down, rubbing his large cone forehead, the deep purple of his skin only interrupted by the light purple tattoo markings above his right eye.

His best option for re-election to maintain his position would be to side with the oligarchs and the militarists, neither of their policies were desirable however, but they would support him for a second term in office. The alternative was to side with Herm En Po, who may support his candidacy as representative of the Parak system while she became the new Supreme Representative. He sighed as he weighed up his options. Perhaps there was still time to turn things around. If he wasn't so busy with everything that was going on he would be able to spend more time campaigning.....

[Peoples Cities]

Last day of voting to determine the future of the Parak Star Nation, vote now!

[Peoples Cities]

The Election cycle concludes and the 6,060 seats of the Union Senate are now filled with the recently elected delegates. It is the dawn of a new era of the Parak Star Nation as the Radical Collective are the largest faction and it is up to its leader Herm En Po to form a new government...