Greetings nations of the world of NationStates! The Kingdom of Arthropol, as dictated by its constitution of 1958, is again holding a general election in 2020 to determine the composition of its legislature. Originally, the general election was scheduled to be held in December, like normal, but an early election was called for 15 August in anticipation for a second wave of the COVID-19 virus. This marks the first time a snap election is called since the passing of the new constitution of 1958, attributed to a stable political situation ever since. Newly elected deputies and senators will take their seats soon after election.
OOC: All past election threads are NOT CANON. Factbooks on politicians and political parties are mostly accurate but have some inaccuracies. Political parties are different from the parties that correspond to each logo in real life.
Background
OOC: See the TL;DR at the very bottom of the post if you don’t like reading
The Arthropolian Government
Arthropol's government is in the form of a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, mostly based on the Westminster system. The King of Arthropol is the head of state, but only has ceremonial powers. This election will determine the balance of power in the legislative and executive branches of government. The bicameral legislature of Arthropol consists of the lower house, the Royal Assembly, with 1000 deputies directly elected by the people through instant-runoff voting in constituencies, and the upper house, the Senate, with 250 members directly elected by the people through closed-list proportional representation by region, and 100 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of elected officials, through closed-list proportional representation. The Royal Assembly is considered to be more powerful than the Senate. Executive power is exercised by the cabinet. The cabinet is composed of elected members of the Royal Assembly led and appointed by the President of the Royal Assembly, commonly known as the Prime Minister or the President. Currently, a left-wing coalition holds power in both houses and the Cabinet.
The Campaign
To be able to participate in the general election, political parties must receive a certain number of signatures from elected officials on a sub-national level. Due to this, many members of small political parties usually run under the ticket of a larger party. Independents must receive the approval of a certain number of mayors in their constituency to be able to run. Signatures must be handed in to the electoral commission by 8 July 2020, and parties must finalise their candidates for each constituency and their Senate party lists by 10 July 2020. Funds are distributed to each party based on the constituencies that they are running in. The maximum possible amount of money that a party can receive in total is 10 million Euros. Money is distributed in competitiveness. If a party is running in a uncompetitive rural constituency where the winner is all but official, they may only receive a few hundred Euros to set up basic advertisements, whereas a party running in an extremely competitive urban constituency where there are multiple parties in a race for victory, they may receive tens of thousands of Euros of campaign money. Private campaign funding is strictly prohibited, and is punishable by fines or exclusion from the campaign if the violation is serious enough. However, there is one exception. Parties and candidates may set up fundraisers for citizen voters to earn money, provided all expenses are covered by their allocated campaign money.
The General Election
The general election will be held on 15 August 2020 after a campaign of one month. Unlike most years, the 2020 general election will be conducted mostly by postal ballot, but voting will remain compulsory for all citizens aged 16 or above. This will be based on the contact tracing system; those with green status may vote in person or request an absentee ballot. Those with yellow status must vote by absentee ballot. Individuals with black status are exempt from voting but may request an absentee ballot if they wish to vote. A majority of people with green status have already requested an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be mailed by 23:59 on 15 August, in-person voting will be held from 06:00 to 20:00 on 15 August. Overseas territories will hold the election at the same time in their time zone.
The Results and Formation of Government
Counting of ballots will begin immediately after voting closes at 20:00. As the majority of ballots will be mailed, it is predicted that preliminary results will be available within 48 hours, and that final results will be available within a week. To form a government, a party or a coalition of parties must gain the confidence of the majority of members of the Royal Assembly.
The Parties
OOC: See the TL;DR at the very bottom of the post if you don’t like reading
Below is a list of political parties that have attained the number of required signatures to compete in the election, ranked by the number of party members. Please note that the Libertarian Party and the Regionalists group are excluded from the poll as only 10 items can be added to the poll. You may still endorse these parties in a post. Look out for the leaders of each party and the ideologies of each party; biographies of party leaders and descriptions of certain ideologies will be added soon!
SOCIALIST PARTY - PINK
Parti socialiste (PS) - rose
The Socialist Party is the largest political party in Arthropol by number of party members. It was created in 2017 from the merger of the Social Democratic Party and the Radical Party, two parties with similar ideologies. It has a range of ideologies ranging from centrist to left-wing, but is usually placed in the centre-left. In foreign affairs, the party is a strong supporter of Desjardinsism and neutrality.
Ideology: Social-écologie, social democracy, democratic socialism, Desjardinsism, soft Euroscepticism
Economic position: Centre-left
Social position: Moderate
Current number of deputies: 372 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 914 / 1000
Current number of senators: 149 / 350
European affiliation: Party of European Socialists
European parliament group: S&D
Current number of MEPs: 41 / 85
International affiliation: Progressive Alliance, Socialist International
Party leader: Claire Alard
ARTHROPOLIAN WORKERS’ PARTY - RED
Parti ouvrier arthropolien (POA) - rouge
The Arthropolian Workers' Party was created in 1880 by a a large group of the working class, in order to represent the interest of the Arthropolian workers. Despite a large amount of members, it failed to gain power until 1937, under a coalition with the Labour Party, and since then, has been one of the largest left-wing parties in the country. It is usually classified as left-wing, with most of its members supporting democratic socialism. In foreign affairs, the party is a strong supporter of Desjardinsism and neutrality.
Ideology: Democratic socialism, Desjardinsism, left-wing populism, souverainism, soft Euroscepticism
Economic position: Left-wing
Social position: Moderate, leaning authoritarian
Current number of deputies: 172 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 894 / 1000
Current number of senators: 61 / 350
European affiliation: Party of the European Left
European parliament group: GUE/NGL
Current number of MEPs: 18 / 85
International affiliation: Socialist International
Party leader: Adam Lebas
UNION FOR A POPULAR MOVEMENT - DARK BLUE
Union pour un mouvement populaire (UMP) - bleu marine
The Union for a Popular Movement was created in 1956 by supporters of war hero and politician Charles de Gaulle to compete in the general election that year, after the Democratic Alliance collapsed from internal conflict. The party was successfully elected, and since then has been the dominant conservative party in Arthropolian politics. The party supports the free market, the welfare state, and moderate social conservatism, and is usually placed between the centre and the centre-right. In foreign affairs, the party is a strong supporter of Gaullism and neutrality.
Ideology: Liberal conservatism, Rhine capitalism, Gaullism, dirigisme, pro-Europeanism
Economic position: Centre to centre-right
Social position: Moderately authoritarian
Current number of deputies: 152 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 942 / 1000
Current number of senators: 70 / 350
European affiliation: European People’s Party
European parliament group: EPP
Current number of MEPs: 20 / 85
International affiliation: Centrist Democrat International
Party leader: Roland Beauvais
NATIONAL FRONT - ORANGE
Front national (FN) - orange
The National Front was created in 1980, opposing the large numbers of new immigrants arriving in the country. The party was initially controversial, being supported strongly by its followers, but universally hated among its non-followers, but some of the animosity towards the party has since disappeared with its diminished focus on immigration. The party first gained power in 1993 under Prime Minster Maximilien Adnet but lost power in 1995 after he was removed in a motion of no confidence supported by many members of his own party. Initially, the National Front supported right-wing capitalist stances, but in the 21st century has shifted to a more big-tent generally centrist economic stance with a greater focus on its social conservatism and nationalism. In foreign affairs, the party is a strong supporter of Gaullism and neutrality.
Ideology: Arthropolian nationalism, souverainism, social conservatism, Euroscepticism
Economic position: Centre-left to centre-right
Social position: Authoritarian
Current number of deputies: 41 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 923 / 1000
Current number of senators: 28 / 350
European affiliation: Identity and Democracy Party
European parliament group: ID
Current number of MEPs: 3 / 85
International affiliation: N / A
Party leader: Astrid Wathelet
EUROPE ECOLOGY THE GREENS - GREEN
Europe Écologie Les Verts (Vert) - vert
Europe Ecology - The Greens, originally known as just The Greens, was created in 1960 to promote environmentalism in the rapidly industrialising Arthropol. The party initially only had minor representation but towards the end of the 20th century and the 21st century, has gained more representation and has been part of the left-wing alliance. The party is classified as left-wing and supports eco-socialism. In foreign affairs, the party is a strong supporter of Desjardinsism and neutrality.
Ideology: Green politics, eco-socialism, alter-globalisation, soft Euroscepticism
Economic position: Left-wing
Social position: Moderately libertarian
Current number of deputies: 38 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 886 / 1000
Current number of senators: 7 / 350
European affiliation: European Green Party
European parliament group: Greens/EFA
Current number of MEPs: 1 / 85
International affiliation: Global Greens
Party leader: Pierre Tran
CAPITALIST PARTY - CYAN
Parti capitaliste (PC) - cyan
The Capitalist Party was created in 1962 by former supporters of the Union for a Popular Movement who either felt the state-directed capitalist economy directed by Prime Minister de Gaulle should be replaced with the free market or disliked the neutrality doctrine of de Gaulle and wished for Arthropol to join NATO and support the USA in the Cold War. Due to the immense popularity of de Gaulle's policies that created massive prosperity, the party failed to gain traction until the end of the Cold War, but has been rising in popularity ever since. The party is classified as centre-right and is a strong supporter of the free market and neoliberalism. In foreign affairs, the party is a strong supporter of Atlanticism, supports the repeal of the neutrality clause in the constitution of Arthropol, and advocates for its membership in NATO.
Ideology: Neoliberalism, Atlanticism, pro-Europeanism
Economic position: Centre-right
Social position: Moderate, leaning libertarian
Current number of deputies: 110 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 867 / 1000
Current number of senators: 21 / 350
European affiliation: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party
European parliament group: RE
Current number of MEPs: 1 / 85
International affiliation: N / A
Party leader: Serge Plessis
DEMOCRATIC EUROPEAN FORCE - LIGHT BLUE
Force européene democrate (FED) - bleu ciel
The Democratic European Force was created in 1983 from members of the Union for a Popular Movement, who supported more left-wing economics, and members of the left-wing parties, who were more socially conservative. The party describes itself as Christian socialist, and advocates for the loosening of tight secularism laws, and that the teachings of the Bible and Jesus support a socialist economy. The party supports a social democratic economy and is placed in the centre-left. In foreign affairs, the party is a strong supporter of Desjardinsism, Gaullism, and neutrality.
Ideology: Christian left, social conservatism, pro-Europeanism
Economic position: Centre-left
Social position: Authoritarian
Current number of deputies: 60 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 821 / 1000
Current number of senators: 8 / 350
European affiliation: Party of European Socialists
European parliament group: S&D
Current number of MEPs: 1 / 85
International affiliation: N / A
Party leader: Claude Colbert
ARTHROPOLIAN COMMUNIST PARTY - BURGUNDY
Parti communiste arthropolien (PCA) - bordeaux
The Arthropolian Communist Party was created in 1952 after it split from the Arthropolian Workers' Party over internal disputes. The Arthropolian Communist Party, while supporting Marxism, believes that the conditions are not right for a communist revolution in Arthropol, and that it would be easier for communists to take power through electoral means. The party is classified as far-left. In foreign affairs, the party is mixed, with some supporting neutrality and noninterventionism, and some advocating that Arthropol export socialism to the world and support socialist states like Cuba and China.
Ideology: Communism, Leninism, Euroscepticism
Economic position: Far-left
Social position: Moderately authoritarian
Current number of deputies: 2 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 678 / 1000
Current number of senators: 2 / 350
European affiliation: Party of the European Left
European parliament group: GUE/NGL
Current number of MEPs: 0 / 85
International affiliation: International Meeting of Workers' and Communist Parties
Party leader: Robert Armand
RALLY FOR THE FUTURE - BROWN
Rassemblement pour l'Avenir (RpA) - marron
The Rally for the Future was created by dissidents mostly from the Capitalist Party who opposed the party leader, Serge Plessis' views, most notably opposing the extensive lockdown to combat COVID-19, supported by the vast majority of parties. The party was also joined by a group of Socialist Party dissidents who were on the right wing of the party. The party will compete in the 2020 election, and aim to gain its first seats. The party is classified as a centrist party, which supports social liberalism. In foreign affairs, the party is mixed, with followers of both Desjardinsist or Gaullist neutrality views, and Atlanticist pro-NATO views.
Ideology: Centrism, liberalism, pro-Europeanism
Economic position: Centrist
Social position: Moderate, leaning libertarian
Current number of deputies: 0 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 726 / 1000
Current number of senators: 0 / 350
European affiliation: N / A
European parliament group: Non-Inscrit
Current number of MEPs: 0 / 85
International affiliation: N / A
Party leader: Rose Tomas
REGIONALIST GROUP - BLACK
Groupe régionaliste (R) - noir
*This party has been excluded from the poll as there are only 10 spaces available and the Regionalist group does not have candidates nationwide. Groups or governments may still endorse this party with a forum post.
The Regionalist group is a group of political parties that support the interests of certain regions, predominantly in Corsica, Pyrénées-Atlantiques (Arthropolian Basque Country) and Pyrénées-Orientales (Northern Catalonia) but also with presence in overseas terrorities and minor presence in Rhône-Alpes and Poitou-Charentes. The group generally is classified as centre-left and is indifferent on foreign policy.
Ideology: Regional interests, social democracy, pro-Europeanism
Economic position: Centre-left
Social position: Moderately libertarian
Current number of deputies: 3 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 117 / 1000
Current number of senators: 2 / 350
European affiliation: European Free Alliance
European parliament group: Greens/EFA
Current number of MEPs: 0 / 85
International affiliation: N / A
Party leader: Ernesto Bertolini
DEMOCRATIC FRONT OF FEDERALISTS - DARK GREEN
Front démocratique des federalistes (FDF) - vert foncé
The Democratic Front of Federalists was created in 2018, with mostly dissidents from the Socialist Party, Capitalist Party and the Union for a Popular Movement. The party calls for radical changes to the Arthropolian government, and believes that Arthropol should follow a federal system of government where more powers are delegated to the regions of Arthropol. Although it is meant to be a big tent party, most of its members lean to the right, and while the party has no official foreign policy, most of its members oppose neutrality and support Arthropolian accession into NATO.
Ideology: Federalism, devolution
Economic position: Big tent, leans right
Social position: Moderately libertarian
Current number of deputies: 17 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 670 / 1000
Current number of senators: 5 / 350
European affiliation: N / A
European parliament group: Non-Inscrit
Current number of MEPs: 0 / 85
International affiliation: N / A
Party leader: Thierry Laval
LIBERTARIAN PARTY - YELLOW
Parti libertarien (PL) - jaune
*This party has been excluded from the poll as there are only 10 spaces available and the Libertarian Party has the least amount of party members. Groups or governments may still endorse this party with a forum post.
The Libertarian Party was created in 2007 by businessman Charles Durand, who believed in an almost completely free economy, and in the expansion of individual freedoms. The party believes in a laissez-faire approach to the economy and is considered to be right-wing. In foreign affairs, the party supports strict neutrality and that Arthropol should not involve itself in the affairs of other countries at all, except for trade.
Ideology: Libertarianism, laissez-faire, Euroscepticism
Economic position: Right-wing
Social position: Libertarian
Current number of deputies: 3 / 1000
Number of seats contested: 417 / 1000
Current number of senators: 0 / 350
European affiliation: European Party for Individual Liberty
European parliament group: Non-Inscrit
Current number of MEPs: 0 / 85
International affiliation: International Alliance of Libertarian Parties
Party leader: Carla Charbonnier
Current Composition of the Royal Assembly and the Senate
Royal Assembly
Government: 602
Socialist Party: 372 (17 leaving for RpA)
Arthropolian Workers' Party: 192
Europe Ecology - The Greens: 38 (3 leaving for RpA)
Opposition: 303
Union for a Popular Movement: 152
Capitalist Party: 110 (57 leaving for RpA)
National Front: 41
Other Parties: 95
Independent left-wing: 3
Independent centrist: 1
Independent right-wing: 2
Independent unaffiliated: 4
Democratic European Force: 60
Democratic Front of Federalists: 17
Libertarian Party: 3
Regionalist group: 3
Arthropolian Communist Party: 2
Senate
Government: 217
Socialist Party: 149 (4 leaving for RpA)
Arthropolian Workers' Party: 61
Europe Ecology - The Greens: 7
Opposition: 119
Union for a Popular Movement: 70 (3 leaving for RpA)
National Front: 28
Capitalist Party: 21 (11 leaving for RpA)
Other Parties: 14
Democratic European Force: 8
Democratic Front of Federalists: 2
Regionalist group: 2
Arthropolian Communist Party: 2
Who should I/my nation support?
Don't worry if you're not sure which political party to support! You can either use the political compass with the Arthropolian political parties, with and without famous politicians' locations, or you can take our newly-developed Arthropolian political typology test. Complete as many questions as you can on the form, and you will receive your result with the three political parties closest to your point of view by telegram shortly after.