Yu Dynasty Yingdala (4338-4636)

[Wu Han]

The Kaizhou Inquirer
The Kaizhou Inquirer is northern Indrala's leading periodical, reporting on politics, culture and economics

15 December 4376
Gao Yifen leads governing coalition to victory
This election also marks the first time a Lotus Party candidate has been elected Head of Government since 4335

Chief Counselor-elect Gao Yifen en route to the Grand Assembly

HAZHOU, Shu: Last night Gao Yifen led his party, and the majority governing coalition to a strong re-election. Gao said his majority coalition government is proof that “positive, optimistic” politics are not just a “naive dream.”

"Tonight, Indralans warned politicians that division and radicalism are not the path to a stronger country," Gao said, "only when people come together can we build a brighter tomorrow!"

The New Dawn-Social Democratic-Lotus governing coalition captured 52.09% of the popular vote, an increase from the 4373 election when the coalition was elected as a minority government with 43.42% of the vote. The Lotus Party gained the most seats during the night, becoming the largest party in the coalition. Thus, Gao is expected to replace his Social Democratic coalition colleague Sunada Machiko as Chief Counselor.

Much of the credit for the victory is being laid directly at Lotus Party President Sung Hyo-rin's feet. Long hailed a "kingmaker," Sung groomed Gao to run for the leadership of the party, and propelled his campaign to a stunning victory in October of 4374. When the government dissolved, Sung organized a disciplined, positive election campaign to get Indralans to vote for the Lotus Party after nearly 40 years of declining vote share. It is expected that Sung will receive a cabinet position in Gao's administration.

Chief Counselor-elect Gao Yifen speaking at the Lotus Party election night rally after learning the results.

The republican faction of Indralan politics increased their share of the vote in the election by one percentage point, but remains firmly locked out of power. Speaking on the results, Civic Forum Leader Jiang Zongren claimed that "the anti-establishment and republican parties" must work harder to attract the support of voters. Jiang narrowly escaped a leadership challenge in 4374, winning approximately 44% of the Party Congress delegate votes. It is unknown whether Jiang's hold on power is strong enough following another second-last electoral finish. Additionally, it is yet to be determined whether or not republican politics are a viable route forward in Indrala.

Gao Yifen addressed this issue during his speech, declaring that "when my fellow legislators reject the politics of division, we are ready to work with them for our common vision of a better Indrala."

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Originally posted by Wu Han on 13 April 2018.