Yu Dynasty Yingdala (4338-4636)

[Wu Han]

The Taixi Times is a daily print and web publication from Taixi, Anle, offering breaking news and analysis on politics, business, world national news, and entertainment.

Dr. Yi Junkai loses leadership review, LP to hold leadership election next year
Dr. Yi falls just short of the required 60% No vote
19 June 4336

TIAN'AN, Han: Lotus Party Leader Yi Junkai suffered an unprecedented defeat Sunday as he did not receive the required level of support from his party membership to remain Leader of the party. Though Yi will remain in charge until a replacement is chosen, his party has decided its future lies elsewhere.

It is the first example in history of a Lotus Party leader failing to secure the minimum level of support from members of his party required to win a confidence vote.

The astonishingly low rate of support for Yi revealed a deep split in a party still reeling from the unexpected seat losses over the past two elections. It also speaks to the inability for Yi to personally connect to the electorate. For instance, while Lotus Party leader Huang Zitao suffered major electoral defeats, he received 92% support at his Leadership Review.

While receiving a majority of votes, the Lotus Party constitution requires a leader to receive at least 60% confidence.

Yi took the stage shortly after the vote was announced, smiling, but visibly disappointed.

“The only thing that is important is that we leave here united,” he said. “To the extent that I have lead this party, without the support of our members, I sincerely and deeply apologize.”

The results, when announced, were met with varying reactions. While some delegates jumped into the air and pumped their fists, others broke into tears. During the convention delegates passed a constitutional amendment requiring only 50% approval in the future. After the convention ended, former-Health and Social Services Minister Zhou Huiyi declared his intention to run in the upcoming leadership election, becoming the first declared candidate.

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 20 January 2018.