Almanianian General Elections 1585

[Alvino Castillon]

Almanarnian General Elections of 1585

For the Presidency and Congress


Welcome to Decision 1585! This year, the United States of Almanarnia shall be holding its general elections, which means that the Presidency is once more up for the taking! These elections shall be unique as for the first time in decades, a newly formed party will be looking to seize the President's Estate.

As per the Constitution of the United States of Almanarnia, the following will be up for consideration in this election:

• The President and Vice President of the United States for a four year term each (up to 14 years total)
  
• 24 Senator seats for a four year term each (exact numbers below)
  
• 480 National Assembly seats for a two year term each
  

Show ContentRecent History:

The past few years have proven to be disastrous for the establishment parties. The Conservative Party [PC], along with their allies in the Gran Almanarnia Party [PGA], had rode a wave of populism to capture control of the National Assembly and the President's Estate in the 1581 elections. However, a series of legislative missteps and scandals have mired the administration of Simon Powers. Additionally, with the Senate remaining in the control of the Liberal Party [PL] and its allies, legislative gridlock plagued the first half of President Powers' term. Controversial campaign pledges, including a crackdown on drug usage and the defunding of social programs and services in favor of increased military spending, have drained the political capital of President Powers and divided his coalition before the midterm elections, with moderate elements in the Conservative Party growing increasingly alarmed at the public (and private) behavior of Powers.

The other side of the aisle has fared little better though. The coalition of the Liberal Party, the Green Party [PV] and the Socialist Party [PS] have suffered from a round of intra-coalition conflicts over ideological issues. Additionally, the Liberal Party, the largest party within the coalition have faced an intra-party schism in which its centrist and progressive elements accusing one another of throwing the election. The election of the Chair of the Liberal Party was bogged down by a surprise challenge by the former presidential candidate Senator Isabella Hart, further increasing strains within the party. Hart, a progressive, slammed Dan Green, her centrist challenger for a number of gaffes throughout his career, including one infamous moment in which he publicly mocked Hart during a debate, stating "Apparently, costing us the general elections isn't enough for her insatiable lust for power." He would eventually eek out a win by three votes and used his victory speech to blast Hart and the progressives for "continuously and uselessly bleeding the party for an unrealistic and impractical purity."

That was deemed a final straw by many progressives in the Liberal Party. Senator Hart, along with two other Senators and five Assemblypersons announced their decision to leave the party and form a new caucus to create a "Grand Deal for Almanarnia", inviting "any that were serious about moving Almanarnia forward" to join them. Over the next few months, this group would begin to grow caused from bleeding from both the Liberal Party and Conservative Party. By the 1583 Midterm Elections, the caucus had reformed itself into a new political party titled "Coalition for Almanarnia" [CA] and set out to secure itself as a major party, campaigning in almost every Senate election for that year and at least half of all National Assembly elections.

The midterms proved to be a disaster for the political establishment. The Liberals lost further seats and its majority in the Senate while the Conservatives lost full control of the National Assembly by a single vote, thanks in part to the new political party and the breakaway of an Independent Centrist Caucus. This led to a hung Congress, with the Coalition for Almanarnia and the Independent Centrist Caucus agreeing to not cut any deals with either side until they came to the negotiating table, expecting them to do so within a few days or a week at most.

Unfortunately, this would not be the case. Chairman Green of the Liberals and President Powers of the Conservatives blasted this alliance and urged their respective parties not to negotiate with either. This feud would last for the good part of two years with little legislature being introduced as a result, angering many Almanarnians in the process.

Current Senate




Current Composition:

• Liberal Party - 21 (6 seats up for election)
  
• Conservative Party - 11 (8 seats up for election)
  
• Coalition for Almanarnia - 9 (5 seats up for election)
  
• Gran Almanarnian Party - 4 (3 seats up for election)
  
• Socialist Party - 1 (1 seat up for election)
  
• Independent Centrist Caucus - 1 (1 seat up for election)
  
• Green Party - 1 (0 seats up for election)
  

Current National Assembly




Current Composition:

• Conservative Party - 200
  
• Liberal Party - 132
  
• Coalition for Almanarnia - 64
  
• Great Almanarnia Party - 40
  
• Socialist Party - 24
  
• Green Party - 15
  
• Independent Centrist Caucus - 5
  
  All seats are up for grabs.

[Alvino Castillon]

Political Parties and Candidates

With the arrival of the Coalition of Almanarnia and the majority of the Senate in doubt, there are numerous parties vying for control not only of the President's Estate but of the Congress as well. This section will delve into the political parties vying for seats in the Congress (both major and minor) and the candidates seeking to capture the President's Estate.


National Political Parties
There are many political parties in the United States with their own followings and influences. However, there are only a few that campaign on a national scale or hold offices in the federal government. This section will cover those parties that are currently holding federal elected offices or are potentially able to attain a seat.

Conservative Party/Partido Conservador

Show ContentPlatform and Summary:

Summary: The Conservative Party has been moving towards the right due to its coalition with the Gran Almanarnia Party. However, not all of its members is thrilled with this drift, feeling left in the lurch by a deeply conservative President with a reactionary base of support. This rift is starting to become ever clearer as a term of governance under a reactionary doctrine comes to an end.

Economics: The Conservative Party traditionally supports protectionist policies and favors reducing business regulations to help grow the economy. Lower taxes and fiscal conservatism for the federal government are the preferred policies for the Conservatives.
Social Issues: The Conservative Party supports the concept of improving "religious protections" for the religious in society, including no same-sex marriage (though civil unions are allowed) and support for religious schools. The Conservatives officially support cracking down on the use of cannabis; some members of the party support decriminalization however. Immigration limitation and loosening gun laws are platforms for the party but are considered secondary issues overall. The party supports the limitation of abortion in the country, with some members calling for it to be illegal no matter the circumstances.

Running a Presidential Candidate: Yes (See Below)

Liberal Party/Partido Liberal

Show ContentPlatform and Summary:

Summary: The Liberal Party has been moving towards the center of the political spectrum due to progressive elements leaving in favor of the Coalition for Almanarnia. On the whole, the party has been out of power for the last four years and recently lost its hold on the Senate. It has been slowly losing ground over the past decade to the Conservative Party and the Gran Almanarnia Party. It is looking to mount a definitive challenge against the Coalition for Almanarnia to force them back into the fold, potentially ignoring the Conservatives in the process.

Economics: The Liberal Party traditionally supports free trade policies and favors reducing business regulations to help grow the economy. It supports free market practices and encourages the use of decisive intervention by the federal government to ensure that markets remain competitive. This includes the possibility of denationalizing railroads in the process.
Social Issues: The Liberal Party supports policies that it feels will improve economics in the country. This includes immigration reform to encourage the growth of the workforce and easing of gun laws to make the sale of arms easier. The Liberal Party supports and advocates for the concept of charter schools in line with its free-market platform. Liberals are generally divided on the issue of abortion, but the dominant feeling is that it be legal. The Liberal Party has taken no official stance on same-sex marriage but supports LGBT protections.

Running a Presidential Candidate: Yes

Coalition for Almanarnia/Coalición Para Almanarnia

Show ContentPlatform and Summary:

Summary: The Coalition for Almanarnia is a new political party that has formed after the last general election in 1581. Formed from politicians and supporters that broke away from the Liberal Party and its allies, its sudden and rapid growth can be attributed to the populist nature that has taken hold within the Coalition. Having crafted a platform from policies cherry-picked from both the Conservatives and Liberals, it stands to threaten the political establishment's weakening hold on the government this election cycle.

Economics: The Coalition for Almanarnia takes a mixed approach towards economics. A combination of protectionist policies for struggling Almanarnian industries and free trade policies for thriving ones are a cornerstone for commerce. Additionally, a restructuring of the tax code to close existing loopholes and a restructuring of current regulations to streamline them are on the docket for the Coalition. The key piece for Coalitioneers however is a plan to spend almost $750 billion to revitalize the nation's infrastructure, included a long-desired overhaul of the nation's railroads.
Social Issues: The Coalition for Almanarnia has officially endorsed LGBT rights and has declared its intent to push through the legalization of same-sex marriage. The Coalition for Almanarnia has endorsed gun law reform in an effort to look to streamline registrations and to trim costs in the federal budget, along with a potential loosening of restrictions on the sale of arms. Coalitioneers have agreed to add support for both religious and charter schools as a part of their platform, but will also seek an overhaul of the public education system. Finally, the Coalition for Almanarnia has announced their intention to begin tackling healthcare reform.
Running a Presidential Candidate: Yes

Great Almanarnia Party/Partido Gran Almanarnia

Show ContentPlatform and Summary:

Summary: The Great Almanarnia Party is the second incarnation of a previous party from the late 1400s to early 1500s, which was largely seen as being led by paternal autocrats/fascists. This modern incarnation is very protectionist and reactionary, having grown in strength in response to the Hardwick Administration and the perceived failure of the Socialist Party to address a recession that affected many in the country. Its influence has grown to the point been able to move the Conservative Party to the right during the Powers Administration. Now, it stands poised to take the President's Estate itself if it can hit all the right chords.

Economics: The Great Almanarnia Party supports protectionist policies and opposes free-trade due to fears it would lead to a trade imbalance. They seek to roll back a number of regulations on businesses, especially those limiting corporate mergers. Lower corporate taxes and a flat tax rate for citizens are major planks in the party's campaign. The Great Almanarnia Party believes that the military is the first and foremost focus for the government and will look to greatly increase military spending while slashing welfare programs in the process to push people to find work.
Social Issues: The Great Almanarnia Party is deeply conservative, almost reactionary. It favors drastically limiting immigration and improving protections and border security along the border with Volta. Any persons in the LGBT community are considered mentally ill; there is official support for startups seeking to "cure" those afflicted with such. The party supports ending abortion practices and cracking down on drug usage. The Great Almanarnia Party supports gun reform; they seek to loosen restrictions in certain instances and tighten restrictions in others. The party supports the concept of religious and charter schools.
Running a Presidential Candidate: Yes

Socialist Party/Partido Socialista

Show ContentPlatform and Summary:

Summary: The Socialist Party has been on the defensive for the past few election cycles. The Hardwick Administration from 1577-1581 was the crowning achievement of the Socialist Party in the Untied States. Unfortunately, it failed to capitalize on these gains and address a deepening recession due to a lack of effective leadership and a lack of votes in Congress. Since the Conservatives and Grand Almanarnians swept into power in 1581, the Socialist Party has faced a deepening leadership crisis as it struggles to avoid a total collapse into obscurity. This election is the first time they have not run a Presidential candidate; will this mark the beginning of the end or the start of something new?

Economics: The Socialist Party supports gradual nationalization of major industries and interventionist policies. They support protectionist policies, although certain free trade practices would be acceptable depending on the circumstances. Primarily, workers' rights is a key cornerstone of the economic platform. This includes universal healthcare, an increased minimum wage, and a new round of federal regulations designed to protect workers.
Social Issues: The Socialist Party has officially endorsed LGBT rights and supports legalizing same-sex marriage. They support the decriminalization of cannabis, although the legalization of such is still up for debate within the party. Socialists do not support charter or religious schools and prefer to focus funding solely on public schools. The party is in favor of legalized and subsidized abortion and in favor of tightening gun restrictions.
Running a Presidential Candidate: No

Green Party/Partido Verde

Show ContentPlatform and Summary:

Summary: The Green Party is one of the newer parties in the political landscape. It has recently gained national traction as concerns over climate change continue to climb. Up until the past few election cycles it has focused largely on local and state level elections. However, surprise victories over the past few years in Congressional elections has led to focus turning towards national elections as it seeks to grow its influence in Congress...

Economics: The Green Party supports free trade policies and government intervention in economics to ensure the protection of the environment. The party believes that protection of the environment is first and foremost and seeks to push through legislation to subsidize the renewable energy industry in the United States. The Green Party will seek to strengthen regulations that will protect the environment and cap carbon emissions. They support increasing taxes and enacting fines for companies that contribute high levels of carbon emissions or pollution to the environment and lowering taxes for companies that work to cut emissions or invest in renewable resources.
Social Issues: The Green Party has officially endorsed LGBT rights and supports legalizing same-sex marriage. They support the legalization (and taxation) of cannabis. The Green Party supports funding public education, including higher education in full. The party is in favor of legalized and subsidized abortion. They have not taken an official stance on gun regulations.
Running a Presidential Candidate: No

Presidential Candidates

Every four years, candidates for the Office of the President are considered by the United States. The elections for President run in two phases. The first phase is the general election, which is ran before the Congressional elections. This phase, which takes place on the 7th of Elva, has all Presidential candidates competing against each other. The two candidates with the greatest share of votes in this phase will move on to the second phase. Should a candidate obtain greater than 50% of total votes cast in this phase, they will become President without a second round.

The second phase, which takes place on the 7th of Tolven, is a run-off election that is held if no candidate obtains 50% of the vote in the first round. This round coincides with the Congressional elections. Only the two Presidential candidates with the most votes from the first round participate. The candidate with the most votes will become President.

This year, there are a number of presidential candidates running for office. However, only four are considered to have a chance of being elected. They are as follows:

Simon Powers	Information
	Name: Simon Powers Affiliation: Conservative Party Highest Office: President of the United States (1582 - Present) Biography: Simon Powers, a hardline Conservative, has held the President's Estate for the past four years. Although he had run on a campaign of revitalizing the economy and the military, political gridlock has halted many of his proposed reforms. Additionally, a series of scandals currently plagues Powers' road to return to the Estate, including controversy surrounding statements made both publicly and privately. This weakness has left him in an unenviable position to stave off attacks not only from the left but from the right as well. Show ContentPlatform: Powers supports a continuation and doubling down of policies proposed and enacted during his first term. For this term, he is looking to focus on the following: Gun Rights: Powers is committed to loosening restrictions enacted during the Hartwick term on the sale of firearms. He has stated he would support the introduction of background checks under "certain circumstances" but in exchange would seek to loosen restrictions on ammunition limitations and end the ban on the sale of assault weapons. Corporate Reform: Powers is committed to continuing reforms on corporate laws and regulations that he believes stagnates growth and weakens the economy as a whole. This includes environmental protections enacted prior to the recession that he considers a prime cause for the recession's occurrence. Abortion and Contraception: Powers is pro-life and believes that conception is the moment a baby should be considered a person. As such, he is seeking to ban abortions under all but the most exceptional circumstances. However, he supports subsidizing contraception in exchange. Foreign Policy: Powers will seek to continue reinforcing its claims on the border between Almanarnia and Volta and will continue working to expand the military of the United States to ensure it is protected from enemies both at home and abroad.

Victor Belloni	Information
	Name: Victor Belloni Affiliation: Liberal Party Highest Office: Secretary of Commerce (1570 - 1574) Biography: Victor Belloni, former Secretary of Commerce and current Senator for South Osanto, has a decorated history in public office and is a strong advocate for both financial and economic reform. He is the main face for the moderate faction within the Liberal Party, now considered the dominant faction due to the steady bleed of the party's progressive wing. However, the loss of control in the Senate following the latest miterm election has left Senator Belloni and the Liberal Party as a whole in a tenacious position. Should he fail to make gains against both the Conservatives and Coalitioneers, his party may face a decline much like the Socialists four years ago. Show ContentPlatform: Belloni is looking to tout the party's line and move the economy towards a more competitive process: Corporate Reform: Belloni seeks to make reforms to corporate rules to streamline the processes. Although some rules shall be targeted to be rolled back, specifically in finances, other rules will be added to ensure fair competition in the markets. Additionally, Belloni seeks to improve anti-trust laws, which have not been updated in decades. Immigration Reform: Belloni is committed to beginning the process to reforming immigration laws to streamline the process and make it easier for skilled workers to immigrate to the country. Additionally, he is looking to improve border protections to stem the tide of illegal immigration in the process. Education: Belloni is a strong advocate for charter schools, in line with the Liberal Party's platform. However, he argues that increased funding for school and subsidizing some parts of higher education and vocational education should be considered to improve economic growth as more jobs require at least one or both. Foreign Policy: Belloni seeks to improve commerce and exports to other countries through free trade agreements and agreements to reduce tariffs. This includes Volta, a neighbor and rival, should they be willing to consider such a concept, and Nyland, long considered a dominating force in the region. Military spending would be halted in its growth and kept at the current level.

Isabella Hart	Information
	Name: Isabella Hart Affiliation: Coalition for Almanarnia Highest Office: Senator for Vinosa (1578 - Present) Biography: Isabella Hart, current Senator for Vinosa and Minority Leader in the Senate, is one of the founding members of the caucus that would eventually become the Coalition for Almanarnia. Previously, she was a lifelong member of the Liberal Party and was seen as a rising star for the progressive wing. Since the schism and the midterms, she has taken on the role as a negotiator for her party in the Senate, working with other minority parties to pressure the Conservatives and Liberals to work on multipartisan legislation. Hart is now looking to lead her party to the President's Estate and begin leading Almanarnia down what she calls a "Grand Deal". Show ContentPlatform: Hart is looking to lead Almanarnia down a "Grand Deal", an amalgamation of different policies and ideas from the various parties and from other economic and social models. The chief concerns are the following: Healthcare Reform: Hart has made it clear she and her Coalitioneers are seeking to reform healthcare laws to make healthcare far more accessible and affordable to the citizens of the country. They are currently debating a number of concepts and seek to invite all parties to begin negotiating out a deal should they attain power. Infrastructure: Hart is a strong advocate to reform the nation's infrastructure, especially railroads and the public education system. She has made it clear that although she will support the right to choose education styles, public education shall be favored in the planned overhaul to ensure Almanarnia remains competitive in academia and economic growth. LGBT Rights: Hart has proclaimed full support for improving LGBT protections and rights, including addressing the issue of same-sex marriage. Hart has made it clear that same-sex marriage in particular is "non-negotiable" and will make this a primary issue to address for the moment she steps into the President's Estate. Foreign Policy: Hart has indicated a willingness to sit down with Volta's leadership to begin the cooling of relations between the United States and Volta. She has also indicated a desire to reach out to other nations in the region to form closer partnerships, including the potential for free trade or annual meetings.

Martin Schwarz	Information
	Name: Martin Schwarz Affiliation: Grand Almanarnia Party Highest Office: Senator for Konruhr (1582 - Present) Biography: Martin Schwarz, current Senator for Konruhr and Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, is a leading voice in the Grand Almanarnia Party and its candidate. Previously a major stakeholder in a number of companies, including the Ruhr Mining Corporation, he has since entered a life of politics to revitalize a nation that he feels has fallen into disrepair due to inefficient and autocratic governance, an overflow of immigration, and a loss in economic competitiveness in the global markets. Senator Schwarz has been an outspoken critic of President Powers, stating he has not done enough to revitalize the nation and has surrendered control of the legislature to "radical national communists", and as a result has pushed his party to run him as a candidate. Show ContentPlatform: Schwarz runs on a hardline conservative platform, seeking to roll back autocratic regulations on corporate growth and stem the tide of a declining national identity. To do this, his campaign is focusing on the following points: Corporate Reform: Schwarz seeks to destroy regulations that have denied the growth of corporations and slash corporate taxes as well. He is also looking to rollback rules on corporate mergers in line with his "survival of the fittest" approach. This includes environmental protection regulations that were eased up in the Powers Administration. Immigration Reform: Schwarz is looking to stem the tide of immigration. He is prepared to bolster the border patrol and is considering the construction of fences in certain areas of the country. He is also looking to limit immigration numbers annually and restrict the teachings of "non-Almanarnian customs" in education. Healthcare: Schwarz consider those in the LGBT community as "mentally afflicted" and "a risk to themselves and the nation." In line with the party's platform, he supports funding for mental clinics to help "cure" those in the LGBT community. He opposes abortion and has indicated he will seek to ban it under all circumstances. Foreign Affairs: Schwarz considers Volta to be a threat to the nation's growth and continued existence. As such, he plans to bolster military spending to unprecedented levels and apply further pressure to the nation both economically and diplomatically to lead to a potential collapse. He has indicated that he would look to develop deals that would be favorable to the country's growth but would not let Almanarnian jobs be seized by foreign powers.

[Alvino Castillon]

Almanarnian 1585 General Elections: First Round (7 Elva, 1585)

BREAKING NEWS: Isabella Hart holds lead into runoff with Martin Schwarz.



As expected, the first round of the elections concluded with no clear winner. What is unexpected is that the old political establishment has lost control of the Executive branch.

Senator Isabella Hart of Vinosa and Senator Martin Schwarz of Konruhr have officially moved on to the second round of the General Elections, leaving a broken establishment in their wake. The Liberal Party's blistering campaign to delegitimize the Coalition for Almanarnia has not only failed but has backfired. Exit polls indicate a split within the remaining Liberal Party membership with some breaking ranks to vote for Senator Hart, citing disgust with Secretary Belloni's campaign. In addition, members of the Socialist Party and the Green Party were sharply divided over which candidate to support, furthering cracks in the alliance with the Liberal Party and leaving the door open for Hart to become the face of the progressive movement in Almanarnia.

On the other end of the spectrum, elongated political turmoil and paralysis within President Powers' administration has left Senator Schwarz the main beneficiary, with more Conservatives being pushed to vote for him. Powers' defeat has left Schwarz the de-facto leader of the conservative movement in Almanarnia.

Although there is a month before the second round of the elections, experts predict that Senator Hart will defeat Senator Schwarz to secure the Presidency, presuming that she is able to secure the coalition forming to halt Schwarz's ascendance. The future of the Congress is less clear however, as all parties have an opportunity to leave their mark. It is likely that there will be a hung Congress, with a coalition having to be formed.

The next round of voting shall take place on 7 Tolven, 1585. This round of voting shall be for the Presidential and Congressional elections.


Presidential First Round Results:

Candidate	Votes	Percentage
Isabella Hart	23,708,950	39.4%
Martin Schwarz	17,149,875	28.5%
Victor Belloni	12,155,350	20.2%
Simon Powers	7,160,825	11.9%
TOTAL:	60,175,000	100%