Daliusian General Election, 2017

[Daliusia]

The Daliusian General election is due to take place on Sunday 23rd July, following the dissolution of the previous Parliament (that had met between 2013-2017) on 30th June by President Alana Georg, on the advise of Chancellor Willam Harlos according to the Constitution Act, 2010 that requires general elections at least every four years.

All 400 constituencies of the Parliament's lower house- the Chamber of Masters, will be up for election. Each constituency is a single-member constituency, elected by all citizens of the age of 16 or above. The government has been run by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) under the leadership of Willem Harlos since 2008. In the 2013-17 parliament the SDP have been governing in coalition with the Liberal & Centrist Coalition (LCC), with its leader, Benjamin Klas as Vice-Chancellor.

The make-up of the Chamber of Masters at the end of the last parliament is as follows:

Social Democratic Party (SDP)- 152/400 38%
Unionist Party (UP)- 134/400 33.5%
Liberal & Centrist Coalition (LCC)- 73/400 18%
Citizens First (CF)- 19/400 5%
Green & Equality Alliance (GEA)- 12/400 3%
Christian Democratic Party (CDP)- 7/400 2%
National Party of Bassau (NPB) 3/400 1%


This is a guide to the general ideology/ policies of the major parties:


Social Democratic Party:
Social democracy, democratic socialism, progressivism
International Affiliation: Progressive Alliance[i]
Abortion restriction: no
Legalisation of same-sex marriage: yes
Universal health care: yes
Reintroduction of capital punishment: no
Retention of student tuition fees: yes
Progressive taxation: yes
Restoration of the monarchy: no
Immigration restrictions: yes
Increased tax for top 10% earners: yes
Retention of tripartate secondary school system: gradual faze-out

Unionist Party:
conservativism, economic liberalism
[i]International Affiliation: International Democrat Union[i]
Abortion restriction: no
Legalisation of same-sex marriage: no
Universal health care: yes
Reintroduction of capital punishment: no
Retention of student tuition fees: yes
Progressive taxation: no
Restoration of the monarchy: yes
Immigration restrictions: yes
Increased tax for top 10% earners: no
Retention of tripartate secondary school system: yes

Liberal and Centrist Coalition
[i]International Affiliation: Liberal international
Liberalism, Centrism, Social Liberalism
Abortion restriction: no
Legalisation of same-sex marriage: yes
Universal health care: yes
Reintroduction of capital punishment: no
Retention of student tuition fees: no
Progressive taxation: yes
Restoration of the monarchy: no
Immigration restrictions: no
Increased tax for top 10% earners: no
Retention of tripartate secondary school system: gradual face-out

Citizens First
International Affiliation: none
Right wing populism, nationalism, economic liberalism, social conservatism
Abortion restriction: yes
Legalisation of same-sex marriage: no
Universal health care: yes
Reintroduction of capital punishment: yes
Retention of student tuition fees: yes
Progressive taxation: no
Restoration of the monarchy: no
Immigration restrictions: yes
Increased tax for top 10% earners: no
Retention of tripartate secondary school system: yes

Green & Equality Alliance
International affiliation: Global Greens
Green politics, progressivism, eco-socialism
Abortion restriction: no
Legalisation of same-sex marriage: yes
Universal health care: yes
Reintroduction of capital punishment: no
Retention of student tuition fees: no
Progressive taxation: yes
Restoration of the monarchy: no
Immigration restrictions: no
Increased tax for top 10% earners: yes
Retention of tripartate secondary school system: no

Christian Democratic Party
International affiliation: Centrist Democrat International
Christian democracy, social conservatism, economic progressivism
Abortion restriction: yes
Legalisation of same-sex marriage: no
Universal health care: yes
Reintroduction of capital punishment: no
Retention of student tuition fees: no
Progressive taxation: yes
Restoration of the monarchy: no
Immigration restrictions: yes
Increased tax for top 10% earners: yes
Retention of tripartate secondary school system: yes

National Party of Bassau
International affiliation: none
regionalism, progressivism, Bassau independence
Abortion restriction: no
Legalisation of same-sex marriage: yes
Universal health care: yes
Reintroduction of capital punishment: no
Retention of student tuition fees: yes
Progressive taxation: yes
Restoration of the monarchy: no
Immigration restrictions: no
Increased tax for top 10% earners: yes
Retention of tripartate secondary school system: no

In 2016 former journalist and social campaigner Frederik Kann set up a new party- The New Way, in order to put up candidates in the general election. He has been doing a great about of grassroots campaigning and aims to gain the support of disaffected voters, particularly at working class voters who feel they have been ignored. His main campaigning platform has been opening up the country for a more direct democracy and technocrat government based around experts sitting in relevant cabinet roles.

The New Way
International affiliation: none
populism, direct democracy
Abortion restriction: no
Legalisation of same-sex marriage: no
Universal health care: yes
Reintroduction of capital punishment: no
Retention of student tuition fees: yes
Progressive taxation: yes
Restoration of the monarchy: no
Immigration restrictions: yes
Increased tax for top 10% earners: yes
Retention of tripartate secondary school system: yes


Leaders

Social Democratic Party- Willem Harlos MP (incumbent Chancellor)
Unionist Party- Helena Torgon MP
Liberal & Centrist Coalition- Benjamin Klas MP (incumbent Vice-Chancellor)
Citizens First- Mikeel Lordos MP
Green- Equality Alliance- Klara Percot MP, Henri Torton MP (Co-leaders)
Christian Democratic Party- Thomso Pinse MP
National Party of Bassau- Maria Poren MP
The New Way- Frederik Kann


Poll of polls seats predictions- 12th July 2017
Social Democratic Party- 121 (30)
Unionist Party (UP)- 133 (1)
The New Way- 64 (64)
Citizens First (CF)- 32(13)
Liberal & Centrist Coalition (LCC)- 31 (42)
Green & Equality Alliance (GEA)- 12 (-)
Christian Democratic Party (CDP)- 5(2)
National Party of Bassau (NPB)-2(1)

Result: Hung Parliament
Most likely government: UP/ SDP Grand Coalition (53 seats majority)
Other potential governments:
UP/ CF/LCC/CDP Right-centre coalition (1 seat majority)
The New Way have currently ruled out entering coalition with any party. The Unionists are currently trying to get them to change their mind and agree a coalition deal with them.

[Saorisa]

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[Daliusia]

The different parties have been busy campaigning today.

The Unionist Party (UP) leader, Helena Torgon MP has been campaigning in Teraville, a large city in the south of the Bassau province, where she hopes to gain the city's eastern seat from the NPB, who she has criticised for causing division in the nation and failing to represent the city's general views on immigration controls which the NPB oppose. She made a speech at a food packaging factory, declaring that the UP are the 'true party of the working class across the nation' and that they will 'always stand up for the unity of their great nation.'

The Social Democratic Party leader Chancellor Harlos has been campaigning in the town of Betisburg in East Serd province. This seat is a marginal seat that has been represented by the Unionist Party's Shadow Minister for Defence, Adam Klee since 2013. He has appeared in local media and has been filmed canvassing the town and talking to residents, trying to use the party's track record on social justice and healthcare reform to gain support in the constituency, which is below the national average for personal income.

The Liberal and Centrist Coalition leader Benjamin Klas MP has been campaigning in a current LCC constituency, which has been at risk of being lost to the New Way candidate. The constituency of Arlon and Gentis is a rural constituency and the Vice-Chancellor has been at a photo-op, helping farmers at a local farm and then addressed a meeting of the local farmer's association, talking about the role the LCC in Government has had to ensure the SDP have not ignored those in rural areas and promised tax cuts on independent farmers.

The New Way leader Frederik Kann has been on the most-watched breakfast television programme this morning, campaigning for him to be invited to attend the leader's television debate that will take place tomorrow evening. He said that the NW should be included due to their high position in the polls, despite the rule that only the leaders of parties currently in government are invited to attend. He has derided this policy as 'old-fashioned' and 'denying the people' and suggested that the media was in league with the main stream parties to deny 'the political change this nation desperately wants and needs' and calls for supporters to march on the headquarters of the nations national broadcaster the Daliusian Broadcasting Association to make them change their minds in a protest today.

Thomoso Pinse, leader of the CDP has been campaigning in his own constituency today. The co-leaders of the Greens have been taking part in the Terichton Pride Festival, making a speech that was warmly received by the people their, promising Green support for equal marriage and the Citizens First leader Mikeel Lordos has been visiting the poorer suburbs of Mann, the nation's second city, trying to gain support from disillusioned unemployed and under-employed residents their, blaming the increase of immigrants taking jobs.

A poll of polls of projected seats as of today will be released later.

[Daliusia]

State Minister Alexandre Demennes of the National Christian Party (PNP) calls for Daliusian citizens to vote for the Unionist Party or the Christian Democratic Party, warning against the dangerous populism of the New Way and Citizens First. The few Saorisians that are citizens in Daliusia are expected to vote for the Unionist Party or the LCA.

The Christian Democrats have used this support from an esteemed national leader to attempt to gain more support from the electorate and gain more credibility as a potential government.

[Daliusia]

Today's seat predictions suggest further losses for the SDP and the Greens than previous polls, probably as a result of what has been seen as a week performance by those party's leaders.

The Unionist party is slightly more favourable with no losses and the largest party in Parrliament.

The New Way has seemingly gained in popularity, probably because of public sympathy following the television debates row.

The LCC and CF have made slight decreases in the polls. The LCC leadership are reported to have reluctantly accepted that they will receive their worst results since the party was founded and the goal of the rest of the campaign is to to minimize as much damage as they can, rather than win seats.


Poll of polls seats predictions- 12th July 2017
Social Democratic Party- 119 (32)
Unionist Party (UP)- 134 (-)
The New Way- 65 (65)
Citizens First (CF)- 31(12)
Liberal & Centrist Coalition (LCC)- 30 (43)
Green & Equality Alliance (GEA)- 11(1)
Christian Democratic Party (CDP)- 6(1)
National Party of Bassau (NPB)-2(1)

[Darmen]

Darmen supports the Christian Democratic Party.

[Dogek]

Dogek supports Citizens First and The New Way

[Daliusia]

The Party Leader's Election Debate took place on Friday night. Here is a run through of what took place. The New Way leader, despite large protests of New Way supporters outside the DBA headquarters, leader Frederik Kann was not invited.

First the seven invited party leaders were asked to give their opening statements. The order was picked by lot.

Green-Equality Alliance co-leader Klara Percot went first. She talked about the need to ensure that Daliusia was a true equal society by increasing public spending on services and ensuring the rights of minorities are enshrined into constitutional law and equal marriage is legalised. She finished with a call for increased investment in protecting the environment and stopping global-warming.

Unionist Party leader Helena Torgon was up next. She discussed the need for change stating that the SPD, after nine years of government where they have failed to make life better for Daliusians are a spent force and the Unionists are the only real alternative. She criticized their economic track record, saying that in the current economic climate a secure economy needed to be ensured and SPD spending would continue to jeopardise the economy and people's jobs.

The CDP leader, Thomso Pinse spoke about the SDP's economic 'irresponsibility' and that they were spending money when the nation had none. He also criticized the Government for being 'obsessed' with things such as equal marriage and secularization of Church- run schools, which he stated had little support from Daliusians rather than focussing on the economy, which was really important. He said that the CDP would stop the obsession of 'so-called social reform' and focus on making life better for ordinary people.

Citizens First leader Mikeel Lordos talked about the struggling national economy and said that the reason for this is because of the influx of immigarants into the country and the benefits they are 'automatically entitled to'. He said that Citizens First, if they are elected will fight for the people of the country and ensure that their needs and opinions are 'finally' listened to.

The SPD's leader Chancellor Harlos stated that the SPD have spent the last nine years working for the people of the country and that they would continue to do so if the people voted for them. he said that the SPD have balanced economic responsibility with the need for public funding and are the only party who can be trusted to have the interests of all people in the country, regardless of who they are, at heart.

NPB leader Maria Poren followed with a speech where she criticised all the parties for failing to listen to the needs of Bassau, being Terichton centered. She said that every NPB MP elected would ensure the voice of the people of Bassau were heard and will ensure that whoever is in government is accountable.

LCC leader Benjamin Klas finished saying that all the other candidates had proved how divisive they are and that they only care about themselves. He said that the LCC have acted as the 'sensible voice' in the cabinet with the SPD and that in whatever capacity they would hold in the new parliament they would attempt to act as the sensible voice away from the political extremes or populism.


The debate followed with different questions on health, education, defence and economy. Lordon was seen as being the best speaker, putting his ideas across simply, concisely and with conviction. Klas, Harlos and Torgon were all seen as being lacklustre, particularly Harlos who failed to defend his government's economic track-record and seemed disengaged. Torgon was seen as not being very passionate. Percot was also praised for her performance, saying she was direct and had statistics to back up her economic arguments and her call for the need to fund public schools further. Pinse was generally praised as well, though many accused him of simply being a 'stooge' to his Unionist Party allies. The NPB leader, Poren was said to have been to aggressive towards the other leaders. This may make her party seem less electable to the people of Bassau.

[Daliusia]

Poll of polls seats predictions- 21st July 2017
Social Democratic Party- 110 (41)
Unionist Party (UP)- 129 (5)
The New Way- 79 (79)
Citizens First (CF)- 39(20)
Liberal & Centrist Coalition (LCC)- 25 (48)
Green & Equality Alliance (GEA)- 13(1)
Christian Democratic Party (CDP)- 7(-)
National Party of Bassau (NPB)-1(2)

[Daliusia]

The vote took place on Sunday and here are the results:

Turnout 82%



Unionist Party (UP)- 120/400
Social Democratic Party (SDP)- 107/400
The New Way (NW)- 72/400
Citizens First (CF)- 54/400
Liberal & Centrist Coalition (LCC)- 25/400
Green & Equality Alliance (GEA)- 13/400
Christian Democratic Party (CDP)- 7/400
National Party of Bassau (NPB) 2/400

Coalition talks have been underway in the last few days. The Unionists and Social Democrats seemed like the most likely coalition when the results came out and representatives from both parties met on Monday afternoon to discuss a deal. However, talks stalled and as of yesterday afternoon the Unionists have started discussions with New Way, Citizens First, Liberal & Centrist Coalition and the Christian Democrats. Party insiders have suggested that the party wants a deal with the New Way, hoping that a promise of more referenda will secure the deal for them.

[Daliusia]

With a deal between the Unionist Party and New Way becoming an almost certainty, the leader of the SDP and incumbent Chancellor, Willem Harlos has announced his resignation as both Chancellor and party leader. In a statement made earlier today he said 'it has been an honour to serve as the leader of my party for the last twelve years and an even greater honour to have served my nation as its Chancellor for the last nine, however it is clear that the SDP will not be going into government following the general election and therefore feel it is time for me to move on allowing someone else to lead the party through the new challenges and opportunities it will face in opposition'

In the interim period before a leadership election can take place, Deputy Leader of the party Nigela Tusorn, Minister for Culture, Media & Communications will serve as Acting Leader of the SDP and Liberal & Centrist Coalition leader Benjamin Klas is Acting Chancellor, as he has not resigned his position as Vice-Chancellor as of yet. It is however, likely that the UP and New Way will announce the final terms of a deal within the next 24 hours and Unionist Party leader Helena Torgon will be appointed Chancellor by President Georg.

[Daliusia]

It has been heavily rumoured and reported in the newspapers that a deal for government has been made, with the Unionists, Liberals & Centrists and Christian Democrats agreeing to form a coalition government which will have a confidence and supply agreement with the New Way. It has been reported that the agreement has been made with the promise of a bill being introduced in Parliament that will allow for referenda to be called on 'key issues' and the aboliton of the indeirectly elected/ appointed upper chamber of parliament the Chamber of High Chancery.

It is likely that Helena Torgon will be invited to Glomir Castle, the President's official residence tomorrow morning to be formally appointed Chancellor and following that the details of the coalition and confidence and supply deals will be announced and the other cabinet members will be appointed by Torgon in the days following this.