The Second "Revolution"

[Zimmerwald]

It was widely known in Gallipoli-China that this government of theirs could get nothing done.  Initiatives by one chamber were blocked by the other, there was the dismal record in foreign affairs, and nothing had been done about repairing infrastructure or helping the national economy.  Meanwhile, the Fascists were allowed into the Parliament, and the wealthy continued to hoard from the people.  Everyone knew something had to be done.


Parliament cheered after they passed a resolution dissolving the Workers' Council as a legitimate body of government.  They had been heckled for two days by a mob outside the building, most of them waving solid-colored signs that indicated Party support: yellow for the Liberals, brown for the Nationalists, and a small number of blue Democrats.  There were no red Democratic Socialists in the crowd, it seemed.  The resolution was, surprisingly, accepted by the Council; they had achieved their ends, and no more use was to be had from that body.

However, now new elections had to be held, for the Democratic Socialists were once again accepted into Parliament.

[Zimmerwald]

The current seating arrangements in Parliament are thus (party leaders listed).  There are 195 seats in the Parliament.

Liberal Party (Amir bin-Sultan): 74

Democrat Party (Akbar al-Sistani): 47

Nationalist Party (Machus Dion): 46

Seats Reserved for Democratic Socialist Party, but unoccupied (Aram Caros): 28

[Zimmerwald]

The campaign would focus on foreign affairs.  Everybody knew that, especially with those infernal posters now littering the streets because there was no more room on the buildings.  And in this regard, the Liberal Party and the Nationalist Party recieved most of the flak.  Had the Nationalist Party not weakened Gallipoli-China by getting into a war with Validus and Fenexia?  Had not the Liberals defeated a Workers' Council bill to appropriate more funds for military spending, and had they not pigeonholed a resolution condemning imperialism?

Also, the Nationalists couldn't wash their hands of the stigma that they bombed Corfu.  Even though they claimed that it was all Euryl's fault, and had thrown their weight behind a Workers' Council bill to reconstruct the city, their rank offense stunk to the heavens.

The party leaders would meet in debate before the election began, as was customary.

OOC: does anyone want to RP bin-Sultan, al-Sistani, and Dion?  If you do wish to, choose wisely.  Liberals are center-right, Democrats center-left, Nationalists far right.

[Zimmerwald]

OOC: anybody?

[Mercantilist States]

OOC: possibly...started an OOC thread

[Simple]

Machus dion- dibs

[Zimmerwald]

OOC: okay, that's our Liberal, Democrat, and Nationalist picked.  Shall we begin?

IC: "You know I must go.  I've stopped receiving reports from home, and I fear something may be terribly wrong."

"I understand, Zyanya, and wouldn't prevent you, but keep in mind that they're not the only ones who need you right now."

"But my first obligation is to them.  I was placed here to do a job, and if I am recalled, it is my own affair."

"Fine.  I'll tell the others."

"May the Light keep you, Aram," she said as she left.

OOC2: yes, it's macabre, but I don't particularly care.

[Mercantilist States]

Amir bin-Sultan stepped on the boat bound for the capital with his close friend and adviser, Francos bin-Mer, he felt he was stepping onto a boat bound for history.

Amir and Francos had first met in a philosophy class at the University and were instant friends. Both hailed from small towns on the archipelago and shared similar ways of looking at the world. It was in this class where they first studied the works of John Locke, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison and first began to develop their beliefs about individual and human rights, the free market, and the right to life, right to property, and right to self-determination.

"Well Francos, here's goes nothing..."

[Zimmerwald]

OOC: Earth historical figures?  Okay...

IC: Viktor and Zyanya had both gone abroad, Viktor to Confederate Freedom, Zyania...who knew where.  Aram therefore didn't have anyone backstage to reassure him as he shuffled his note cards, not even bothering to look at them.  Feng and Lin were alright in their way, but they weren't his friends.  Comrades and colleagues yes.  People he respected, yes.  Friends, no.  And only Feng seemed to know Salah; she usually kept to herself.

Well, that's what leading a revolution does to you, he chided himself you loose people.  He thought back to the vigilante bombing by Nationalist milita that had years ago taken his fiance, and wished she could be here.  Stop that right now!  If you don't pull yourself together, all these people will reap the seed you and your Comrades have sown.  Do you want to fail them?  No.  Just think about what you have to do...

In an effort to distract himself, he actually tried reading one of the notecards, which turned out to concern the situation in Islas Filipinas.  He knew this; he flipped through the cards, and resignedly put them in his pocket.  There was not a one he didn't know.  He turned to the other politicians and their adjutants, who were whispering excitedly amongst themselves, each throwing suspicious looks at the other pairs.  He glanced at his watch; there were still five minutes more to wait before they would be paraded out to their podia.  Supressing a yawn, and trying as best he could to mimic Feng's annoying nonchalance, he took out his cards again, and recommenced shuffling.

[Zimmerwald]

OOC: this will be a town-hall style debate, with all those who are not candidates allowed to ask questions.  The question will be either general, to all the candidates, or to a specific candidate.

[Zimmerwald]

bump.  If you don't post soon, the debate will begin without you.

[Mercantilist States]

OOC: internets been sidelined for a few days..
IC:

As Amir waited with Francos for the debate to begin, he couldn't help but size up the other candidates. He had heard and read much about them before, but this was the first time he had actually met them in person. They probably had a lot more in common with each other than most people in the auditorium. At the very least they were men of principle and ideology, he couldn't say as much about men who had once run this country.

He handed his note cards over to Francos, he didn't need them.

Speak from the heart he thought to himself...speak from the heart.

[Zimmerwald]

OOC: and now Talmann's said he won't be able to RP the Democrats, so this will be postponed for another few days...

[Zimmerwald]

bumped.  Ask questions, audience members.

[Xyrael]

A man in a sharp Armani suit, his hair combed back and gelled, rose from his seat. An aura of cologne and aftershave from the well groomed Turkic man seemed to permeate the air around him. He smiled politely, before posing a question directed at Aram, the Democratic Socialist candidate.

"I am an investor on the international market, and you are a socialist. I'm led to believe by the nationalists that you will refuse to allow me to continue my business, but I want to hear what you have to say. Will the Gallipoli-Chinese market continue to be free, or do you plan on regulating businesses?"