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Stalstattan General Election, 2021

PostPosted: Fri Mar 19, 2021 6:16 pm
by Stalstatt
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The 2021 Stalstattan general election will be held on 16 April 2021 to elect the members of the Reichstag, the lower house of the bicameral General Congress. On the same day, state elections will be held as well to determine the composition of the Reichsrat, the upper house of the Congress.

Background

The 2020 Stalstattan election was held in June of 2020, and was the first of the restored constitutional monarchy. Though the Government coalition of the CVP, LDP, and BP remained the biggest parliamentary group, both it and the VSP suffered significant losses. The center-right coalition maintained its majority in the Congress and thus continued to implement the liberal and capitalist reforms to continue bringing the nation out of its communist past.

In February of 2021, a whistleblower complaint was lodged within the Interior Ministry, controlled by the BP leader Reinhold Marquardt. Investigation by government sources soon revealed that Marquardt had authorized wire tapping of the opposition AP, KNP, VSP, and ODP leadership's offices without their knowledge or consent. Further revelations showed that Chancellor Hermann Wolter had been complacent in the operation, while the third coalition leader, Judith Eckstein, was unaware of it entirely. Public backlash against the government spiked as a result, with many equating the actions undertaken by the government as a continuation of the monitored police state that the preceding People's Democratic Republic was notorious for. On 8 March 2021, Marquardt resigned as Interior Minister and as leader of the BP, while his successor Augustin Valkenhorst, who controlled the Culture Ministry, announced the BP would withdraw from the coalition, leaving it without a majority in either house of Congress.

In an attempt to salvage the situation and avoid an election, Chancellor Wolter called for a vote of confidence in the Reichstag and attempted to forge a new coalition with the VSP. His efforts were ultimately in vain as not only did the opposition parties refuse to agree to a coalition but the LDP backed the vote of no confidence in the government, effectively withdrawing from Wolter's government and guaranteeing a new election would need to be held. Despite this, Kaiser Friedrich initially hesitated in adjourning Congress and encouraged the congressional parties to work to form a new government, but this ultimately failed and called into question the Kaiser's role as an impartial mediator. Chancellor Wolter ultimately conceded his government had fallen and submitted his notice to the Kaiser to dissolve Congress, which the Kaiser did on 16 March.

Parties Contesting the Election

Christliche Volkspartei (CVP)
The former senior partner in the government coalition as well as the party of Chancellor Wolter, the CVP has suffered a serious break as a result of the scandal. While Chancellor Wolter remains the leader of the party currently, opposition has festered within party ranks against him leading another government due to his complacency with the act of wire-tapping offices of the opposition. Wolter has argued that the action was necessary on account of the 'extremism within [the parties] and their threat to the government and nation,' however there is concern that no coalition can be formed by the CVP so long as he remains leader of the party.

PARTY INFORMATION
Ideology: Christian Democracy, Liberal Conservatism, Social Conservatism

REICHSTAG SEATS: 165/500
REICHSRAT SEATS: 36/100

PARTY PLATFORM:
-Support continued deregulation of all industries except the arms and military, which remain under government control
-Provide tax exemptions to Christian churches for charity work and public housing
-Maintain current funding for the government’s social welfare system
-Introduce 'Family Tax Credits'
-Revise the tax system in favor of a flat system, but with higher rates on high-earning individuals


Liberaldemokratische Partei (LDP)
The fact that former Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Eckstein was unaware of the wire-tapping as it occurred has caused some to wonder if her party was truly oblivious or if they merely turned a blind eye. Eckstein has remained adamant that she was not informed of the wire-tapping and argued this was part of the reason why her party left the government coalition. Most within her party are in agreement with her and the party has remained relatively united following the breakdown of the government. Eckstein herself has not ruled out reforming a new coalition with either the CVP or BP, but has gone on record as saying she would not do so if the current leaders were still in charge.

PARTY INFORMATION
Ideology: Classical Liberalism, Economic Liberalism, Social Liberalism

REICHSTAG SEATS: 82/500
REICHSRAT SEATS: 12/100

PARTY PLATFORM:
-Privatize all major industries, retaining only the most basic emergency services for government control
-Repeal all laws imposing arbitrary social restrictions, particularly regarding abortion and homosexuality
-Establish a flat tax system of 20% for all citizens and corporations
-Eliminate conscription and transform the military into a volunteer-only force
-Create international agreements to allow for expansion of national industries to foreign countries


Arbeiterpartei (AP)
The Worker's Party has continued to challenge the economic liberalization of Stalstatt since achieving the position of Leader of the Opposition in the last election, and has even called for a second referendum on the monarchy due to its fierce support of the preceding communist regime. Konrad Tollemacht, the party leader, chastised the entire Government coalition once the wire-tapping scandal broke, arguing that they were hypocritical in denouncing the People's Democratic Republic while maintaining their methods. Tollemacht himself was one such individual that the wire-tapping scandal was focused on, and he has begun using this to gather support against the government in the hopes that his party will win the election and begin undoing the liberalization of the country.

PARTY INFORMATION
Ideology: Marxism-Leninism, Left-Wing Populism, Cultural Radicalism

REICHSTAG SEATS: 79/500
REICHSRAT SEATS: 7/100

POLITICAL PLATFORM:
-Re-Nationalize all privatized industries, compensating current owners
-Restore the one-party communist state through democratic means
-End conscription and create a volunteer-based defense force
-Restore the progressive tax, including 100% tax on high-earners over $1 million
-Abolish any and all laws pertaining to social mores and restrictions


Konservative Nationalistische Partei (KNP)
The KNP has remained largely silent on the wire-tapping scandal, with some of its more vociferous members even supporting former Minister Marquardt's actions despite the fact that some members of their own party, including Party Leader Julian Scheer, was one of those targeted. Scheer himself was the only party leader that had offered his support to Chancellor Wolter's government following the collapse of the coalition, but ultimately voted against the Chancellor's motion of confidence after Wolter ruled out forming a coalition with them. This was expected as the two parties would not have been able to form a majority government, and the KNP's previous ties to right-wing extremism is still a point of contention with the other parties. Scheer and the KNP are still hoping the Chancellor will change his mind, particularly if the party has a good showing in the upcoming election.

PARTY INFORMATION
Ideology: Ethnic Nationalism, Christian Nationalism, National Conservatism

REICHSTAG SEATS: 67/500
REICHSRAT SEATS: 14/100

POLITICAL PLATFORM:
-Establish a Christian State with Christian morals as the foundation of national politics
-Privatize all industries except those pertaining to national defense
-Establish a national flat income tax of 10% for individuals, 15% for corporations
-Establish increased conscription laws to all adults between ages 18 and 22
-Support and reinforce laws criminalizing abortion and homosexuality


Vereinigte Sozialistische Partei (VSP)
Although the VSP was less than enthusiastic following their defeat in the last election, Party Secretary Gunther Beyersdorf, who was the last communist leader of the former People's Democratic Republic, has remained a supporter of the democratic system that has evolved over time. Beyersdorf himself remains supportive of an elected head of state but has repeatedly stated it is not a priority of his, rather to maintain a democratic socialist system in the county. Although the VSP members of Congress were not targeted in the wire-tapping, Beyersdorf was one of the first leaders to publicly condemn the actions and chastised the Government for such an action. The VSP is hoping that, as the more moderate left-wing party, this may lead to support for them in response to the backlash against the right-wing coalition.

PARTY INFORMATION
Ideology: Social Democracy, Democratic Socialism, Third Way

REICHSTAG SEATS: 66/500
REICHSRAT SEATS: 27/100

PARTY PLATFORM:
-Maintain nationalized heavy industry and arms industry while permitting privatized service and light industries
-Fund and improve the public welfare system via ‘hospital tax’
-Raise corporate tax rates to 20% with exceptions for small businesses
-Maintain current taxation rates on high-earning individuals while offering tax credits to low-income families
-Provide free housing to low-income families, funded by government-issued bonds and built on government land


Bauernpartei (BP)
As the party at the heart of the wire-tapping scandal, the BP has hemorrhaged members in the weeks since the scandal broke, and former leader Reinhold Marquardt has resigned in disgrace after his role was uncovered. The remaining BP leadership, led by former deputy party leader and Minister of Culture Augustin Valkenhorst, have publicly disavowed the party's actions in the scandal, and have vowed to submit to inquiry to remove those members that supported the action. Valkenhorst, who is more left-wing than his predecessor, has called for increased economic nationalism and state capitalism in achieving the party's goals, and some have taken this as a sign the BP will not consider a coalition with its former partners after the election.

PARTY INFORMATION
Ideology: Agrarianism, Green Conservatism, Economic Nationalism

REICHSTAG SEATS: 27/500
REICHSRAT SEATS: 4/100

PARTY PLATFORM:
-Maintain any and all tariffs on foreign imports of grain, beef, and dairy
-Maintain all societal laws prohibiting abortion and homosexuality
-Provide tax credits to families for housing and financial support
-Provide tax incentives to farmers for using sustainable farming practices
-Maintain current progressive tax rate but eliminate income tax on low-income individuals/families


Ökologisch-Demokratische Partei (ÖDP)
Having been one of the most virulent critics of the Government coalition, the ODP has constantly pushed for greater environmental emphasis on the government's policies with little effect. Like the KNP, the ODP was unusually quiet about the wire-tapping scandal when it broke out, even as Party Leader Alexandra Kopp was one of those targeted. This has done some damage to the party membership, with the 'democratic' aspect of the party called into question by those that have criticized Kopp's failure to denounce the government's actions. Despite this, the party leadership see an opportunity in the fall of the government to take over the political support that was originally had by the disgraced BP, and Kopp has vowed that her party will not join any coalition if environmental concerns are not a top priority.

PARTY INFORMATION
Ideology: Green Politics, Eco-Socialism, Progressivism

REICHSTAG SEATS: 14/500
REICHSRAT SEATS: 0/100

PARTY PLATFORM:
-Invest government funds into renewable energy practices while removing them from coal and oil production
-Maintain current tax rates on individuals but increase those on corporations that do not switch to renewable energy
-Provide tax incentives to industries that reduce carbon footprints
-Provide tax credits to those that can demonstrate their voter registration and evidence of voting
-Reduce the size of the armed forces

PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 8:24 am
by Stalstatt
Initial polling of the ongoing election campaign suggests that the Liberal Democratic Party is surging ahead of their onetime coalition partner the Christian People's Party. The full results of the most recent polls are below:

LDP: 24%
CVP: 20%
AP: 18%
VSP: 17%
KNP: 14%
ODP: 4%
BP: 3%

Both incumbent Chancellor Hermann Wolter of the CVP and VSP leader Gunther Beyersdorf have offered conditional support to the LDP to form a new coalition following the election. Meanwhile, AP leader Konrad Tollemacht has issued a statement that, among other things, refuses to consider any coalition agreement following the election that does not allow for re-nationalization of the country's economy, effectively repudiating all other parties that have assisted in the two-year privatization. KNP leader Julian Scheer has also issued a statement that the KNP will not consider a coalition with the left-wing parties VSP, AP, or ODP.

Stay tuned as the election race continues.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 8:27 am
by Coradortodos
We will endorse the LDP!

PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 8:31 am
by Anatoliyanskiy
Anatoliyanskiy officially endorses the Vereinigte Sozialistische Partei, though we would also be fine with a Worker's Party or Ecological Democratic Party victory.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 8:35 am
by Islamic Holy Sites
My LibDem party and the IHS endorse the Stalstattan LDP. What's funny is that my LibDem party are also winning in my election (albeit they are tying with the Democratic Socialists).

PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 8:40 am
by Carthatska
Carthatska's president, Serge Maitre, has endorsed the LDP.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 8:43 am
by Islamic Holy Sites
Am I allowed to post the link to my election on this thread if I post this election on my election thread?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 10:43 am
by Stalstatt
Islamic Holy Sites wrote:Am I allowed to post the link to my election on this thread if I post this election on my election thread?

If you would like. I have no objections.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 10:46 am
by Islamic Holy Sites

PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 10:14 am
by Stalstatt
New polling undertaken by the Election Commission continues to show the LDP leading the field in support, while the KNP appears to have overtaken the CVP in polls. The full polling list can be found below:

LDP: 32%
KNP: 21%
CVP: 14%
VSP: 13%
ODP: 11%
AP: 7%
BP: 2%

LDP leader Eckstein has reiterated that she would be willing to reenter a coalition with CVP but only if Chancellor Wolter stands down as party leader, while Wolter himself has remained silent as to whether he would accept such an arrangement. KNP leader Julian Scheer meanwhile has continued to press for a CVP-KNP coalition following the election in the hopes of implementing a more conservative-Christian government.

Of particular note in the polling above is the abject collapse of the political left-wing, which together only accrues 31% of polltakers. AP leader Konrad Tollemacht dismissed the polls as 'inaccurate' and continued to boast the AP would win the election and begin the process of restoring the nation's 'wellbeing' once in office. VSP and ODP leaders Gunther Beyersdorf and Alexandra Kopp meanwhile have begun negotiations on the possibility of forming a political bloc in the upcoming election in an effort to avoid siphoning off votes from each other, which has been denounced by the other parties as 'stacking the deck.'

PostPosted: Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:23 am
by Stalstatt
The LDP continue to lead in all national polls as the election nears. However, the CVP has seen a bounce back as Chancellor Wolter announced at a press briefing on Monday that he would be willing to stand aside for a new candidate to become Chancellor following the election. The KNP however has remained a close third, with its members being augmented by dissatisfied CVP voters. The full polling list is below:

LDP: 31%
CVP: 23%
KNP: 21%
ODP: 12%
VSP: 8%
AP: 3%
BP: 2%

LDP leader Eckstein has stated she is encouraged with the prospect of reforming the party alliance with the CVP, however there may also be a sticking point as to whether Eckstein herself or the proposed CVP candidate will be chosen as Chancellor. KNP leader Scheer has continued to offer his support to a right-wing CVP-KNP government, to the point that the KNP candidates in CVP-held seats are starting to withdraw their campaigning against the incumbents.

The left wing of the political spectrum continues to suffer in the polls, with the latest numbers showing that there is only 23% of support for the three left-wing parties. AP leader Tollemacht, who has consistently debased the polling as fraudulent, seemed to acknowledge this in a speech on Tuesday just outside Falkenstein, where he lambasted the preceding government for 'attacking the values and policies of the great People's Republic' that have caused a fall in left-wing support. VSP leader Beyersdorf and ODP leader Kopp have both spoken of a potential merger of their parties in the future should their total vote fail to improve after this election.

PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:22 am
by Stalstatt
With less than three weeks to election day, the LDP has increased its lead over the other parties, reaching nearly 40% according to some polls. Even more shocking is that the right-wing KNP has surged past the CVP to second place, while the left-wing continues to languish far behind. The full poll can be found below:

LDP: 38%
KNP: 21%
CVP: 15%
ODP: 12%
VSP: 10%
AP: 3%
BP: 1%

KNP leader Julian Scheer gave a speech on Saturday that reflected the CVP's abysmal ratings in the polls, suggesting that the CVP could become a junior partner in a KNP-led government if negotiations could be reached. Meanwhile, LDP leader Judith Eckstein has backed away from making any promises as to what sort of coalition she would prefer if the LDP does win the election, instead focusing on her party's goals for the next four years if elected.

Finally, AP leader Konrad Tollemacht has been put under government surveillance after giving a speech in Hotzendorf that was tantamount to calling for a violent revolution, urging AP members to attack polling places on election day rather than to vote. Tollemacht revised his statements shortly after, arguing he meant to have his party's supporters go out en masse to vote and restore the People's Republic, but growing left-wing agitation has been noted in major cities where the AP find their larges amounts of support.

PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 3:12 pm
by SamuelRichards
We will endorse the LDP!

PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2021 6:12 pm
by Nova Kartago
Officially we support the VSP because it is politically aligned with the ruling party in our country.
Please come to take a look at our current legislative elections and vote :)

PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 10:54 am
by Stalstatt
With one week left until the election, the LDP continue to lead in the polls by double digits, suggesting they may likely win the largest share of the vote. The conservative CVP and KNP continue to trade second and third place, while the left-wing parties remain grouped together far below them. The full poll can be found below:

LDP: 35%
KNP: 20%
CVP: 18%
ODP: 12%
VSP: 10%
AP: 4%
BP: 1%

The party leaders are scheduled to have a single debate on Monday during the final stretch of campaign week, with many suggesting it may be the last opportunity to challenge the LDP's lead in the polls. AP leader Tollemacht has signaled that he may not participate due to his party's growing insistence the election will be skewed in favor of the 'capitalist' parties.

PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2021 7:26 pm
by Goviria
Stalstatt expatriates living in Goviria have endorsed the LDP. As such a vote has been placed in their favour.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2021 5:49 am
by Stalstatt
The last week of campaigning is well underway, with candidates up and down the country pulling out all stops in the days remaining before election day. As of Tuesday morning, the polls for the Reichstag election are as follows:

LDP: 37%
CVP: 18%
KNP: 17%
ODP: 12%
VSP: 10%
AP: 5%
BP: 1%

Incumbent Chancellor Hermann Wolter of the CVP has agreed to a new leadership election for the party following the general election, banking on a potential leadership change to boost the party's numbers. LDP leader Eckstein has repeatedly stated her party would only consider a coalition with the CVP if Wolter was not in charge, which some have begun to see as an undesirable intransigence in the final days of the election. The CVP has managed to push back into second place, displacing the more nationalist-oriented KNP which have remained open to a coalition with the CVP despite Wolter's repeated dismissals of such an idea.

ODP leader Kopp, in contrast to Eckstein, has preemptively agreed to a coalition with the VSP should the situation arise for them to form a government, and VSP leader Gunther Beyersdorf has begun making overtures of a potential LDP-VSP-ODP coalition following the election. Finally, the AP leadership has for all intents and purposes accepted their inevitable loss in the election, with party leader Tollemacht focusing on the 'corrupt decadence' of liberal democracy rather than his party winning votes.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 19, 2021 11:36 am
by Stalstatt
The final results of the 2021 General Election are in, and the LDP has won a solid plurality of the vote, gaining nearly 20% on the swing compared to its 2020 result. The turnout for the election is estimated to be at around 70%, marking the highest turnout for an election since 1976. The full results are listed below, along with the swing of each party compared to its previous result:

LDP: 3,057,235 (34.6%), +18.3%
CVP: 2,049,938 (23.2%), -9.6%
KNP: 1,360,735 (15.4%), +1.9%
ODP: 1,042,641 (11.8%), +8.9%
VSP: 812,906 (9.2%), -4.1%
AP: 450,633 (5.1%), -10.6%
BP: 61,852 (0.7%), -4.8%

The full composition of the Reichstag and Reichsrat will be determined in a few days time, however it will appear that the LDP will need to find coalition allies should they wish to form a government. CVP leader and former Chancellor Hermann Wolter has promised to stand down for a party election if the LDP choose to mend ties, while the left-wing, having surged under the ODP, are also promising candidates. Far-left AP leader Konrad Tollemacht declared the results fraudulent, saying the AP could not have lost as many votes as it did compared to 2020, and argued the AP are the rightful winners. KNP leader Julian Scheer meanwhile has repeated his call for a conservative government of his party and the CVP, which remains an option albeit an unlikely one as the two parties are not likely to have a majority in the Reichstag.