Mordusia

[Autokrator]

Elections of 5728

Hung parliament, Nationals back in power?

August 5728 (backdated)

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Randworth - The great democratic right of the Mordusian people to vote for their elected representatives has once more taken place. The election results have once more left us with a hung parliament and the need for parties to form a coalition. Which coalition the parties will form is still open with two possibilities viable to be chosen, what we know for certain is that the liberals of Forward Mordusia are once more the kingmakers.
 
After a fierce campaign the following are the results:

 
 
The campaign was hard fought between the National-leader Peter Catbury and Reform-Labor leader and prime-minister Jason Burke. Surprisingly halfway the campaign we saw the rise of junior coalition partner of Jason Burke and his Reform-Labor Coalition, Forward Mordusia, led by James Taylor, rise in the polls to a secure third place. This rise stole momentum from both major parties as Taylor presented himself and his party as the centrist alternative.
 
Though a great media strategy, a strong campaign and winning debates clearly made sure that the message of Forward Mordusia was heard by the electorate, it is not the only reason for their increasing electoral successes. It has always been hard in Mordusia to break through the two-party system. That’s why we also need to look at the Reform-Labor Coalition and Prime-Minister Burke.
 
For some time now the moderates of the social liberal-leaning Reform Party and the Labor Right bloc within the Labor Party have dominated the Reform-Labor Coalition. This has been the case since after the coup they staged after the last election result. This ousted Kate Wells and her loyalists of the more left-wing leaning blocs of both parties, but mostly the Labor Party. Ever since then Burke has had difficulties managing the Labor Left and their fierce loyalty towards the programs and ideals set by Katt Wells. That and Katt Wells and her supporters remain influential in the party and push against the more centrist course of the party.
 
This has caused also some openly embarrassing moves of cancelling policies supported by Forward Mordusian ministers in cabinet by Burke to calm down his more left-leaning blocs as well as often relying on either the National Party to gain a majority for some reform packages. These actions have led to even more frustations from within the party, especially from within the Labor Party, who’s leaders have openly bickered in the media and on congresses. This has had an unfavourable in the election as it shows that Burke is not a strong leader enough to stop the divisions and bring the parties together. On top of that his deputy leader and leader of the Labor Party, Hannah Bank, has been challenged a number of times by backbenchers for the leadership role, weakening her position and making it difficult for Burke to effectively govern.
 
These fights seem to have caused great frustration with Reform MP’s who have over the years on several occasions leaked their frustrations to the press. It seems that the liberal voting base has thus shifted from Reform to Forward Mordusia, aiding in their success.  Another factor is that the Prime-Minister’s approval ratings are decreasing every month.
 
From it all it can be said that with the shift in momentum the National’s weren’t able to capitalise but rather lose momentum and being stuck only on a small lead in the polls. A rather disappointing outcome for them. The Nationals had hoped that finally after quite some time it would once more be their turn to shine. National-leader Peter Catbury campaigned fiercely on the forgotten business opportunities, too tough regulations and a failing program to keep the military up to date. In this he couldn’t outshine the optimistic Forward Mordusia leader who talked about small business owners being the heart of the economy and them needing much needed help, not only with tax cuts but with cutting bureaucracy and making it easier to file taxes, deduct losses and addressing the added employment regulations do not hurt them in an unfair way.
 
Currently the parties are in talks over who gets to form a government. Will the Burke government continue or will a new government be formed under Peter Catbury? We will have to await and see what the liberals decide what offer fits them best and which party aligns more with their views and goals for Mordusia, once more the Kingmakers decide.

@HumperdinckMedia