Rildanor

[TheNick]

President Aimard-Bélanger Announces Bid for Second Term
July 5735

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President Sylvie Aimard-Bélanger in her office at the Presidential residence.

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TIRALLE - The President of the Republic will officially seek re-election as Head of State in the upcoming December presidential election, she has confirmed via a press release this morning. The announcement is just a formality: we already know that in the past months, following the 5734 legislative election, the President started looking for a broader alliance in order to maximize her electoral chances, an alliance that was confimed this morning:

Dear compatriots. I am announcing my candidacy for the office of President of the Republic representing the PLS, the PNP and UFR. Alongside me, as my running mate, there will be former Interior Minister and current Trade Deals Envoy Margaux Vasseur. I hope my work in these past 4.5 years has insipired confidence among the Rildanorians and I hope you will consider re-electing me for my second and final term. If elected, I will also relinquish the leadership of the Liberal-Socialist Party and allow for younger, more dynamic leaders to take over.

The President seems to have both advantages and disadvantages: the formers, she has very high name recognition, she is perceived as a charismatic politician and she has a broad alliance (including her second round endorsement) behind her. Two big disadvantages are the fact that the PLS has no longer the popularity it enjoyed five years ago, and considering her slate of endorsements, she may be perceived as the candidate representing the current cabinet, which is struggling in the polls. Early estimates as of July indicate she would reach between 25 and 30 percent of the vote, guaranteeing her a spot in the second round of voting.