Bianjie

[journey]

Newly-formed Green Alliance triumphs in the general election
24 April 5723



In the largest challenge to the current de facto two-party system yet, a newcomer to the Bianjian political stage, the green liberal Green Alliance of Bianjie (GAB), came in third with a stunning 41 seats, coming extremely close to outpasing the leading party within the right-wing opposition, the Democratic People's Party (DPP), who have won just 49 seats. Alongside the governing Socialist People's Party (SPP), who received 89 seats, the newly-elected Khanate Yuan will now have a three-way system, compared to the usual domination of two parties, SPP and DPP.



Green Alliance's triumph came as a result of many factors, biggest ones being growing need for an anti-corruption platform, which GAB promoted in their campaign, coming after the massive corruption scandal which hit the ruling coalition, and prompted premier Semken Tan to resign. One of the voters, who agreed to answer question after the voting at the Caiboo local polling station, said that the scandal became her last straw: "I have been a socialist voter my whole adult life, but it became tiring voting for someone who doesn't put my best interests in their work, and for me [GAB] was that alternative that I craved for". Another big reason, is the appeal to both sides and the nation's youth. Green Alliance's membership and electoral base have been primarily people in the 18-34 age bracket, who say that the current two-party system has been negligent about youth, ignoring their needs, instead focusing on issues less relevant to the nation. "The last time someone in [State Council] paid attention to youth, was during the Olympics. But we cannot wait 15 years for them to pay attention, we need it now", said one of the first-time voters in this historic election. A coalition of first-time, young, disappointed in the current two-party status quo and pro-green politics voters combined brought onto this massive success for the newly-formed party, coming in a close third. 

The biggest victim to GAB's triumph, the governing Socialist People's Party had one of their worst election nights ever, with the worst ever proportional result for the party, but a respectable amount of seats, due to the continuing domination of the constituencies. Still, for the SPP it is a nice of despair and disappointment, as their path to the next government looks bleaker by each day, as allies as turning away from the ruling party, with the communists' new leader, Atu Esolo publicly doubting if the PCP is ready for another coalition with the SPP, but even then, the current tripartite coalition of socialists, communists and Shindoto (TPP) is sitting at 114 seats, just one shy of the simple majority in the Yuan, which can be a non-problem, is the coalition convinces either Horizon or one independent to vote for SPP premier. However, even TPP now seems more unconvinced with premier Tabai Manišay's position in government talks. "We have great respect for Mr. Manišay, but I think the current climate is very complicated for him and his party, with the nation saying with their voting that there must be change", TPP leader Xieren Zhu said to Gemun Post.

Not even socialists themselves seem to believe in their success in the government formation, as SPP's leader and incumbent premier Tabai Manišay has said that he will be stepping down from leading the party, but will continue as premier until the next premer is elected, something which might take a while, looking at the current numbers.



From an obvious point of view, SPP has an upperhand in the formation, however, that path seems to be narrow and quite complicated for a power-hungry party like the socialists. Tripartite coalition lacks majority, which can be easy to replace, but the internal struggles within the tripartite coalition, including the fall out of communists and TPP with the SPP complicate things.

On the other hand, any other coalition without the SPP is a chimera both ideologically and in terms of the amount of parties needed to form a stable government. A pathway to 115 coming from the right-wing seems to be even harder, as the DPP will need both GAB and the New Right Alliance (NRA) for 104 seats, and then on top of it a support of Horizon and all seven independent MPs for the slimmest possible majority of just 1, sitting at a total of 115 votes. However, the motivation to oust the dominating socialists can overcome ideological differences and result in a chimera opposition alliance, led by either the DPP or the GAB. According to the Greens' co-leader, Gūwalgiya Eldembu, the GAB is open for any kind of negotiation, as long as the other sides are ready to come together and negotiate the important issues the party will set before the formation. "We are not here to continue the current bipartisan status quo, but to break it for good, and create coalition regardless of party colour, and work for the better of this great country", said Eldembu. Leaders of both the DPP and Horizon, Kun Zhang and Kenje Megiya, have stated that their respective parties would be open to negotiate with the Green Alliance and possibly concede on certain positions as long as it will result in the end of the socialist government. NRA have refused to comment.

For first time in almost a century, Bianjie faces a politically complicated situation with a potential deadlock without a viable and stable solution to the issue. Moreover, depending on the success of the Green Alliance, this can mark the end of the current party system in Bianjie, and result in a formation of a new one, a fourth one since the 5373 coup.



Gemun Post (ゲムンポスト) is a major (previously local) daily newspaper based in Gemun.
(@GemunPost)
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