http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=538913
(If you aren’t comfortable with the Jolt forums, feel free to post responses in here)
Briefly summarising the outcome, although you’d be up to date if you’ve been looking at the KBC website or getting the podcasts…
Although still the largest party, the Green Party was in many ways the biggest loser in the elections, being reduced to 37% of the seats from slightly less than half immediately before the election, and having been elected with a majority in 2004. This was partly a function of the new electoral system based on proportional representation rather than the first-past-the-post system, and allegations of government corruption in the weeks leading up to the vote.
— Begin quote from ____
RIDINGS WON (of total 640), final result with recounts completed.
Green Party of Kelssek - 244
Liberal Party of Kelssek - 187
Kelssekian Conservative Party - 106
United Communist Party - 98
Democratic Progressive Party - 3
Bloc Beaulacois - 1
Freedom and Justice Party - 1
PARTY VOTE
Green Party of Kelssek - 35%
Liberal Party of Kelssek - 30%
United Communist Party - 16.6%
Kelssekian Conservative Party - 9%
— below threshold to be awarded list seats —
Democratic Progressive Party - 4%
Bloc Beaulacois - 3%
Freedom and Justice Party - 2%
Libertarian Party of Kelssek - < 1%
Christian Heritage Party - < 1%
Family Coalition - < 1%
Alliance Against Animal Cruelty - < 1%
Final party standings after awarding of list seats: (of total 655 seats)
Green Party of Kelssek - 244
Liberal Party of Kelssek - 195 (+8)
Kelssekian Conservative Party - 106
United Communist Party - 105 (+7)
Democratic Progressive Party - 3
Bloc Beaulacois - 1
Freedom and Justice Party - 1
Note: Under the newly-introduced mixed-member proportional system, parties with a lower proportion of seats than their share of the party vote are “topped-up”, while parties with a higher than proportionate number of seats retain them. Voters made two choices on the ballot: one for a Member of Parliament to represent their riding, the other for their preferred party; the party vote is distinct from the voting for MPs.
TURNOUT: 76.4% of eligible voters.
— End quote
Alan Kerk initially attempted to negoiate a coalition deal, and when that failed, to continue to govern in minority. However, with the outbreak of political violence between supporters and opponents of his continued premiership, he resigned. The Liberal and Conservative parties reached a coalition agreement and have now jointly formed a (rather precarious) minority government. The new Prime Minister is Pierre Gautain, leader of the Liberal Party.
The drama continues to unfold, and as before feel free to post RPs in here; I’ve been using the Jolt forums so people outside the EP can see and participate as well:
http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=549096
OOCly, the storylines parallel some aspects of Canadian politics in recent years. Something quite similar happened in the 2006 election which elected our current minority government, when the RCMP announced they would be investigating the Liberals (google “sponsorship scandal” if you wanna know) during the election campaign, but the idea that they were throwing it in favour of Stephen Harper because Conservatives would later fulfil their wish-list, like giving them more influence in judicial appointments - which he did - is just my conspiracy theory. And if anyone needs an explanation of the British-style parliamentary system I’d be happy to write one in as unboring a manner as possible.
Assorted media stuff to tempt you into at least skimming the RP if you haven’t…
Election day, Dec 17, 2007:
Feb 4, 2008:
Feb 5, 2008:
Feb 7, 2008: