Bianjie

[journey]

Right-wing government fails to win historic third term, as the left-wing celebrates with restraint
19 April 5738



The disappointment on the faces of the Green Alliance members could not have been measured enough, seeing party militants react to the preliminary results which indicated the upcoming victorious night for the left-wing coalition. It would be a much bitter loss for them, as polls showed the current coalition heading for its historic historic term, all before the Green Fields affair and a long investigation which hit the coalition, especially its now-hermited partner, the New Right Party, reputationally hard, even in spite of premier Irifune not being aware of the affair.

And yet, the left-wing did come out victorious in this election, with the three-party coalition consisting of the Socialist People's Party (SPP), the Progressive Communist Party (PCP) and the Shindoto (TPP), gaining 5% of the vote and 13 seats summarised for all three parties. The three traditionally left-of-centre forces have the majority back for the first time in 10 years, and are able to form a coalition, but it is not so easy anymore. The victory might be beautiful for the communists and the Shindoto, but for the socialists and their leader, Emuqi Hegiya, this result puts the party at the crossroads: side with the left, and form a proper government to the traditional name of tripartite, or cross the aisle, and unite forces with the Green Alliance. Hegiya, who has been leading the party for almost 10 years, has been a vocal proponent of the central bloc, has faced opposition from within the SPP for wanting to "finish the party" in a way it has been known forever, while Hegiya justifies her proposal by saying the "reality has changed" in Bianjie. Speaking at the election night, Hegiya didn't celebrate the victory, but only soberly stated that this result is a "vital reminder that governments are elected to serve, not rule forever".

On the other hand, the Progressive Communist Party, who definetely had all the reasons to be euphoric, as the party celebrated its best result ever in the party's history, finish just barely 3% away from being the second-largest party in Bianjie, with 16,2% of the vote and 38 seats. Party's new national secretary, Taksi Feimo, thanked the voters, especially the youth, who turned out to vote in record turnout numbers, as ISUG exit polls suggest the PCP might have been the most voted party for the 18-29 age group by far, coming in first with almost 30% of the vote, followed by GAB with 23% of the vote. "The kids are no longer kids, they grew up, and they want change, and they want it now, they want a different kind of politics, a kind of politics that cares for them, and for all the people, for our environment and for our lives", said Feimo. He would later assert the need for a left-wing government, and called for the SPP to "stop losing its way" and "return to its roots", or else the PCP would take it place as the biggest left-wing force in the country. "We are ready to lead the left in Bianjie, and certainly so are our voters, especially the very new generation, who care about this nation and their own future the most", said communists' national secretary.

For the premier Sora Irifune, the defeat came after the midnight, where in an emotional speech, she accepted the responsibility for the result, but she would also go on to defend her two governments' record for the past ten years. Irifune would point to the sustained economic growth, decrease in unemployment, especially to that of the youth, various investments, and most importantly, the launch of the Bianjie Pass, or B-piyoo. "We had our downs, we had our ups, but in the end, the history will judge us all, and I am glad for what we have achieved in those ten years together with you all, and your support for us, and I am sorry for not being able to hold this together for one more term", the outgoing premier would finish her speech with these words. When asked whether her party would be open to form a coalition with the socialists, the Green Alliance leader said that it is "up to the party conference", not something she can personally attest to, but added that she is open to any kind of talks with all parties across the aisle.

Now, the hard negotiation part begins, and despite being the largest party, somehow, the kingmaker position lays in the hands of the Socialist party, who's internal divisions and growing uncertainty will be put to a test for choosing the future government: whether it will be the one with the traditional left, or the new centrist governemnt with the second-largest party, and its rivals for the past ten years. 



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