Bianjie

[journey]

First election under amended electoral law finalises the creation of the new multi-party system
19 April 5733



The first election held under Bianjie's amended electoral code has proven many political observers' long anticipations and predictions: the old era of socialist dominance, as well as a two-party system is officially over, with the new multi-party system firmly taking its place instead, and reasserting itself with this election result.

Once universally powerful and dominant Socialist People's Party (SPP) has now suffered its worst election result ever, falling down to just 66 seats with just 28% of the popular vote, making it very unlikely for the socialists to return to power this term, making it the fifth electoral loss for the left-wing party, scrambling to hold onto the everchanging political climate of Bianjie, and unable to find a new identity amidst a leadership crisis. Emuqi Hegiya, the party's leader, has conceded the result during the her election night speech, congratulating premier Irifune on her likely re-election, but added that the "door remains open for a cooperation", something which the SPP refused to publicly admit so far. For a number of party members, both privately and on social media, this was a surprise, and a disappointment in Hegiya's leadership, who, according to the left flank of the formerly ruling party, is a "betrayal of progressive traditional principles". Some members, now even more so then ever, are eyeing the potential demarch from their party they are being disappointed in, with some sources noting a number of SPP's high-level provincial officials "scouting" MPs and socialists locally to join the new left-wing movement. And yet, SPP remains the largest party, and thus still remains holding its grip over Bianjian politics, but it is ever so slipping away.

On the remaining left, and traditionally SPP-aligned centre, mixed results: on one hand, Progressive Communist Party (PCP), as well as Shindoto (TPP) have benefited greatly from the new electoral system, both gaining 10 and 6 seats, respectively, making PCP now sit at 33 seats, making it the second best result ever for them, and TPP at 8 seats. On other hand, for the first since their foundation in 5645, Horizon fell below the required threshold to win seats, hence losing its only seat and becoming an extraparliamentary party. Abai Elakun, the party's leader, held an emotional briefing on the election night, asking forgiveness from the Horizon's militants, as he took the responsibility for the result, resigning from the position, until the party congress chooses a new chief.

But, obviously, the biggest result came on the right-of-centre political spectrum, as the Green Alliance of Bianjie (GAB) surprisingly, and yet, now officially, claimed itself as the second largest political force in Bianjie, as GAB outpaced the Democratic People's Party (DPP) in the party-list votes, finishing barely 6 thousand votes ahead of the democrats, claiming 49 seats for its, while DPP will sit with just 48. Despite losing seats, GAB celebrated the result with a lot of noise and partying in the Green Alliance's headquarters, and hundreds cheered the name "Irifune!", waiting for the premier to come to speak. Sora Irifune, 58, made history yet again for herself and the opposition in general, as she became the first non-socialist female premier to be re-elected, as well as the first ever trans woman to be re-elected as premier. "We made history yet again, we are writing the new story of this nation, together, because without all of your help it would've been impossible, and I am forever grateful to represent you all", premier said. And yet, Irifune's re-election reflects the four-leaf coalition's unusual ideological width, as Irifune, a self-proclaimed "social liberal", has no problem leading a government alliance spanning similar green liberals, traditional liberals, conservatives and right-wing populists. And while the first term relatively well, it is impossible to say how long will the anti-SPP unity hold, and whether the coalition would hold when it comes to real policies and issues, be it environmental policy, economics, or even foreign policy.

Still, the result shows that the two-party, or two-bloc system between the socialists and democrats is over, after holding on for more than a century, the new multi-party system has finally come to replace the old rule, with a new, wider and more competetive slate of parties. SPP has lost its dominance, and it is a fact. What was hidden by the disproportionality of the parallel system, imposed by the Tan government, is now visible in full. And yet, while the new system may more representative, one can argue it brings more instability and uncertainty. But whether it will actually happen, only time will tell.



Doyōbi (土曜日, lit. "Saturday") is a bi-weekly tabloid newspaper published in Fetembi, Wehealin.
(@Doyōbi)