The legislative branch is comprised of the upper house (Ghastak), and lower house (Dashez). There are 35 Members of the Ghastak (Ghastakers), elected to 4 year terms, 20 in the year of the major round, and 15 in the year of the minor round. Ghastak seats are chosen by nationwide party-list proportional representation, under the D'Hondt Method. The 409 Members of the Dashez (Dashezniks) are elected to two year terms in single member constituencies under a runoff system similar to presidential elections
Issues
Foreign Policy: Cold War on the Continent
Eitoan is an occupying power in Ralkovia following the Ralkovian War that saw the deposition of the slaver Raskov dynasty in most of the Ralkovian territory. As such, it is a sponsor of the democratic Federation of Ralkovian States and is the occupying power with the closest cultural ties with Ralkovia, having been a Raskov colony for 400 years. A cold war has set in on the continent, with Eitoan as the major protagonist against Regime Ralkovia, ruled by a military junta and retaining slaver ways. A fragment of Raskov rules exists in the “Raumfestung”, a wasteland largely uninhabitable.
At issue is the way forward for Federal Ralkovia. Factors under consideration include:
• Expansion of Federal Ralkovian self defense capabilities
• Financial strain of occupation
• Threat incurred with any incorporation of former Raskov loyalists into the higher ranks of the FRS Self Defense Force.
Foreign Policy: Arms Race
The Cold War on the continent has ushered in an arms race with Regime Ralkovia. Eitoan military doctrine follows the principle of superiority to any other single land force on the continent, putting it into direct opposition to Regime Ralkovia. The costs of naval expansion have emerged as a campaign issue.
Domestic Policy: Alcoholic Beverage Classification
Calls in the Dashez for revision to the 2003 Beverage Classification Guidelines to reduce the percentage of alcohol by volume that defines Class A beverages from 30 proof to 10 proof have come to the forefront as a leading issue nationwide. Key members of the Dashez were approached by distillers earlier this year seeking to widen the market for their products among women and the younger market segment.
Domestic Policy: Secondary Boycotts in Labor Disputes
The behavior of the national government in enforcement of restrictions on secondary boycotts in labor disputes is of increasing importance lately. Secretary of Labor and Social Affairs Megan Kreisman has initiated a review of enforcement efforts at the territorial and local levels. Business interests have complained that enforcement at those levels has been lax.
Domestic Policy: Soil Conservation
The administration soil conservation policy is a point of contention among rural voters in the Central Corridor territories. Production of barley vs. wheat has been an ongoing issue in Eitoan, and indeed, throughout the vast continental grain belt. Over time, given the commercial value of wheat compared to barley, conservation efforts have been seen as favoring wheat producers in riparian districts, with a diminishing effort devoted to the hillier barley producing farms.
Parties
A summary of the parties is given below:
Communist Party (Co):
Radical leftist authoritarianism dedicated to public ownership of the means of production and income redistribution.
Current Strength
• Ghastak: 5
• Dashez: 28
Cold War: They’re commies.
Arms Race: They’re commies.
Beverage Classification: They’re commies.
Secondary Boycott: They’re commies.
Soil Conservation: Plant the kulaks.
Socialist Party (SP):
Democratic leftist party, expansion of public services and involvement in private industry, environmentalism, secularism
Current Strength
• Ghastak: 9
• Dashez: 58
Cold War: More hands-on in Federal Ralkovia for Affirmative Action for former slaves.
Arms Race: Budget minded toward naval expansion.
Beverage Classification: Mostly neutral. Some candidates have looked askance on it as corporate welfare.
Secondary Boycott: Generally supports secondary boycotts by labor unions.
Soil Conservation: Favors more equity for poorer barley farmers.
Free Democratic Party (FD):
Middle of the road, regionalist, balanced budget, socially liberal, pro-small business big tent party
Currently holds the Presidency
Current Strength
• Ghastak: 14
• Dashez: 236
Cold War: Eitoan must take the lead in guidance of Federal Ralkovia toward free enterprise and democracy. Maintain a stern approach toward Regime Ralkovia and the Raumfsetung.
Arms Race: Maintenance of military superiority on continent. Naval expansion to meet the needs of that superiority.
Beverage Classification: Critical of reclassification. Responsive to housewives and religious leaders concerned about the impact on teenage drinking and juvenile delinquency.
Secondary Boycott: Fair and strict enforcement of existing laws against secondary boycotts.
Soil Conservation: Open to revision of rules toward additional funding for barley growing areas.
Civic Platform (CiP):
Mainstream conservative party
Current Strength
• Ghastak: 6
• Dashez: 70
Cold War: Generally aligned with stern approach to Regime Ralkovia and the Raumfestung. Some Ghastakers have mentioned undermining Regime Ralkovia and Raumfestung through sponsoring sympathetic elements there. Relations with Federal Ralkovia should be business oriented.
Arms Race: General agreement with Free Democrats.
Beverage Classification: Supports reclassification.
Secondary Boycott: Stronger enforcement against secondary boycotts.
Soil Conservation: Favors current policy.
National Democratic Party (ND):
Authoritarian right-wing nationalism
Current Strength
• Ghastak: 1
• Dashez: 17
Cold War: Reconciliation with Regime Ralkovia.
Arms Race: Antipathetic.
Beverage Classification For reclassification.
Secondary Boycott: Stronger enforcement against secondary boycotts.
Soil Conservation: Plant religious minorities.