1718 Hurmu general elections
Hurmu's sixth Parlerment elections were held during the first half of the tenth month of 1718. The previous elections occurred in 1712. The next elections are scheduled for 1724
A Social Democratic–Communist–Umraist coalition took control over the Assembly of Representatives, while no major changes occurred to the make-up of the Senate of the Lakes.
Procedure
Eighteen seats in the Senate, elected by the members of the Order of the Holy Lakes, and 99 seats in the Assembly, elected by persons with legal and permanent residence in Hurmu were up for election. All electors had to be at least 18 years of age on the last day of the election. Thus not only citizens of Hurmu were allowed to vote, but legally resident foreigners too. Citizenship was a prerequisite, however, for being a candidate.
Residents in the Lake District elected 20 members of the Assembly, while residents in Lontinien elected 19 members, and Rekozemlje 21 members. Residents of Amaland will be represented by 7 members, and residents of Karnamark by 4. Al-Khadra District elected 20 representatves, Transprinitica will be represented by 6 members, and residents of the Samhold Island and Moorland will each be represented by 1 member. Legal residency is not recognised in the Southern District, and as such, that district remained outside the remit of the election. Hurmu citizens resident the Southern District or in Eesdeheito, as well as Hurmu citizens living abroad, voted through their constituency of origin. Citizens who were members of the Order of the Holy Lakes did not vote in Assembly elections but in the Senate election.
The constitution of Hurmu allows for referendums to be held at the same time. Such referendums are binding and require the majority of electors to the Senate to be in favour in order to be binding upon the state institutions of Hurmu, for example amending the constitution or adopting legislation. Another option is for the Electorate through voting in the affirmative or negative to a question bind the Senate to introduce or not to introduce legislation on a specific matter. No provision in the constitution allows for country-wide referendums for Assembly voters.
Senate elections
In this Senate election, the adult members of the Order of the Holy Lakes, who during the year 1718 will reach an age of 18 or more, were electors. There were 1209 electors registered to vote. The electors elected 18 members through electoral lists, apportioned by proportional representation.
Participating lists
Conservative List (C)
- Karel des Vinandy
- Jaya Prabhu
- Saurabh Farrah
- Sackhcham Kapudia
- Aasiya Patil
- Padmini Munshif
- Priya Kusari
- Rajendra Choraghad
Humanist List (H)
- Jamshid-e Osman
- Ghawetkiin Enkhjargal
- Khoga Checheyigen
- Fahime Jafarnejad
- Isabella III Güntherdohtor Merrick
- Rosamund Azar Agueda al-Osman Primo de Aguilar
- Roya al-Osman
- Severna Enujohanenion
- Altfrid Günthersson Merrick
- Elahe Rayegan
- Hilyna Qullyr-ra-Milion-la-Osmoni
- Konur Enujohanenion
- Melika al-Osman
- Warin Hartwigsson Merrick
- Hasala Günthersdohtor Merrick
- Khoga Maral
United Ayreonist–Traditionalist List (U)
- Li Naomiai Avon-El
- Mondo Etzeterra
- Asmila Avon-El
- Ichirō
- Catherine Wythe
- Milo Enujohanenion
- Yahyanah Jahanbani
- Utas Ayreon-Kalirion de Waffel-Paine
- Anastasia of Etzeland
- Mikhail Maksimilianov-Shvinnskiy
- Anna Battenberg
- Ola w-Koda Bierrelaš-Bážá
- Enhei
- Đorđe Babić
- Liv Karerina-Lepmets
- Osman Guadalim
- Kristiina Vähi
- Satō Shu
Verionist List (V)
- Aliande of Laegel
- Sirithil of Laegel
- Malik Knuutsgaarð
- Legolas Verion
- Martiina Kreek
- Kristofer u-Malik
- Johannes Knuutsgaarð
- Fredrik u-Malik
- Mihkel Eenpalu
- Magnus Kaldon
Results
Ballots | Percentage | |
---|---|---|
No of electors | 1207 | – |
Total ballots (turnout) | 1162 | 96.27% |
Valid ballots | 1160 | 99.83% |
Blank ballots | 2 | 0.17% |
Invalid ballots | 0 | 0.00% |
List | Votes | Percentage | Seats | Diff (votes) | Diff (%p) | Diff (seats) | Elected | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Ayreonist–Traditionalist | U | 485 | 41.81% | 7 | +131 | +4.43 | ±0 |
|
Humanist | H | 379 | 32.67% | 6 | +68 | -0.17 | ±0 |
|
Conservative | C | 261 | 22.50% | 4 | +80 | +3.39 | +1 |
|
Post-Verionist | V | 35 | 3.02% | 1 | -42 | -5.11 | -1 |
|
Others | – | 0 | 0.00% | -24 | -2.53 | ±0 | – | |
Total | – | 1,160 | 100.00% | 18 | +213 | – | – | – |
Commentary
- One elected is a returnee to the Senate, Jamshid-e Osman (H), who previously served 1690–1695 and 1702–1712
- Four elected are completely new to the Senate:
- Four incumbent senators were unsuccessful in their attempts to be re-elected:
- Đorđe Babić (U)
- Roya al-Osman (H) [became first alternate instead]
- Severna Enujohanenion (H)
- Kristofer u-Malik (V)
Elected
Conservative List (C)
- Karel des Vinandy
- Jaya Prabhu
- Saurabh Farrah
- Sackhcham Kapudia
- Aasiya Patil (first alternate)
- Padmini Munshif
- Priya Kusari
- Rajendra Choraghad
Humanist List (H)
- Jamshid-e Osman
- Ghawetkiin Enkhjargal
- Khoga Checheyigen
- Fahime Jafarnejad
- Isabella III Güntherdohtor Merrick
- Rosamund Azar Agueda al-Osman Primo de Aguilar
- Roya al-Osman (first alternate)
- Severna Enujohanenion (not re-elected)
- Altfrid Günthersson Merrick
- Elahe Rayegan
- Hilyna Qullyr-ra-Milion-la-Osmoni
- Konur Enujohanenion
- Melika al-Osman
- Warin Hartwigsson Merrick
- Hasala Günthersdohtor Merrick
- Khoga Maral
United Ayreonist–Traditionalist List (U)
- Li Naomiai Avon-El
- Mondo Etzeterra
- Asmila Avon-El
- Ichirō
- Catherine Wythe
- Milo Enujohanenion
- Yahyanah Jahanbani
- Utas Ayreon-Kalirion de Waffel-Paine (first alternate)
- Anastasia of Etzeland
- Mikhail Maksimilianov-Shvinnskiy
- Anna Battenberg
- Ola w-Koda Bierrelaš-Bážá
- Enhei
- Đorđe Babić (not re-elected)
- Liv Karerina-Lepmets
- Osman Guadalim
- Kristiina Vähi
- Satō Shu
Verionist List (V)
- Aliande of Laegel
- Sirithil of Laegel (first alternate)
- Malik Knuutsgaarð
- Legolas Verion
- Martiina Kreek
- Kristofer u-Malik (not re-elected)
- Johannes Knuutsgaarð
- Fredrik u-Malik
- Mihkel Eenpalu
- Magnus Kaldon
Referendums for Electors of the Order of the Holy Lakes
Members of the Order of the Holy Lakes may submit proposals for referendum questions:
- That the grade of Esquire of the Holy Lakes shall be abolished as being superfluous.
Out of 1207 electors, 1162 electors voted in the election, giving a turnout of 96.27%.
Answer | Votes | Percentage of voters | Percentage of electors |
---|---|---|---|
Yes | 573 | 49.31% | 47.47% |
No | 586 | 50.43% | 48.55% |
Blank | 3 | 0.26% | 0.25% |
Assembly elections
Hurmu residents in the States and districts of Hurmu, as well as Hurmu citizens living abroad, may vote in the election to the Assembly of Representatives, provided they are above the age of 18 (or will turn 18 during the year of the election), and are not members of the Order of the Holy Lakes (in which case they will vote in the Senate election).
Residents in the Lake District elected 20 members of the Assembly, while residents in Lontinien elected 19 members, and Rekozemlje 21 members. Residents of Amaland will be represented by 7 members, and residents of Karnamark by 4. Al-Khadra District elected 20 representatives, Transprinitica was to be represented by 6 members, and residents of the Samhold Island by 1 member. Legal residency is not recognised in the Southern District, and as such, that district remained outside the remit of the election. Hurmu citizens resident the Southern District or in Eesdeheito, as well as Hurmu citizens living abroad, voted through their constituency of origin. Citizens who were members of the Order of the Holy Lakes did not vote in Assembly elections but in the Senate election.
Due to the situation in Moorland, the Assembly election there (Moorland was due to elect 1 representative) was on hold until the situation had calmed down. Senate elections were, however, held due to special implementations in place along with the low number of electors resident in the area.
Parties
- Edasi Hurmu
- Coalition for Democratic Humanism
- Society for Yeshua, in Rekozemlje and Lontinien
- Koos, in the Lake District
- Moderate Party, in the Lake District
- Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu
- Blue Skies, in Lontinien and Rekozemlje
- Post-Verionist Movement in Hurmu
- Excluded Middle and Mondo Party of Hurmu
- Conservative Party of Hurmu
- Communist Workers' Party
- Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu
- Imperial Society of Hurmu (new)
Results
The results from the election were radical and changed the political landscape completely. The Social Democrats, in coalition with the Communists, experienced a landslide swing in their favour. With the support of the Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu, they would have a majority government, of which the HUHU had already been promised a part.
The government parties fell 22 percentage points (or 22 seats). Blue Skies and the Post-Verionist Movement both lost their Assembly representation.
National overview
Party | Abbr. | Votes | Percentage | Seats | Diff (%p) | Diff (seats) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu | SDP | 6,879,199 | 31.36% | 32 | +22.56 | +24 |
Communist Workers' Party | CWP | 2,826,623 | 12.89% | 14 | +8.38 | +9 |
Coalition for Democratic Humanism | CDH | 2,440,689 | 11.13% | 12 | -7.78 | -6 |
Edasi Hurmu | Edasi | 1,880,875 | 8.57% | 8 | -13.90 | -17 |
Excluded Middle and Mondo Party of Hurmu | EMMP | 1,731,425 | 7.89% | 8 | +0.77 | +1 |
Conservative Party of Hurmu | CPH | 2,155,488 | 9.83% | 8 | -7.17 | -10 |
Imperial Society of Hurmu | ISH | 1,205,953 | 5.50% | 5 | new | new |
Society of Yeshua | SY | 991,520 | 4.52% | 4 | -0.01 | ±0 |
Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu | HUHU | 750383 | 3.42% | 4 | 0.17 | +1 |
Koos | Koos | 486,907 | 2.22% | 2 | -1.52 | -2 |
Moderate Party | Mod | 250,221 | 1.14% | 1 | -1.96 | -2 |
Post-Verionist Movement in Hurmu | PVMH | 221,454 | 1.01% | 0 | -1.76 | -2 |
Blue Skies | BS | 115,045 | 0.52% | 0 | -1.12 | -2 |
Others | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | -2.16 | ±0 | |
Vacant (Moorland) | – | 1 | – | – | ||
Total | 21,935,782 | 100.00% | 99 | – |
Lake District
The Lake District elected 20 representatives. The results showed a considerable decline (of more than 25 percentage points) for the traditional pre-unification parties (Edasi, Koos, Mod.), and an upswing for the left (SDP, CWP) of near-equal size.
Party | Abbr. | Votes | Percentage | Seats | Diff (seats) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu | SDP | 1,412,452 | 29.59% | 6 | +4 |
Edasi Hurmu | Edasi | 941,634 | 19.73% | 4 | -2 |
Koos | Koos | 486,907 | 10.20% | 2 | -2 |
Excluded Middle and Mondo Party of Hurmu | EMMP | 474,827 | 9.95% | 2 | +1 |
Communist Workers' Party | CWP | 470,817 | 9.86% | 2 | +1 |
Moderate Party | Mod | 250,221 | 5.24% | 1 | -2 |
Coalition for Democratic Humanism | CDH | 235,409 | 4.93% | 1 | ±0 |
Conservative Party of Hurmu | CPH | 230,820 | 4.84% | 1 | ±0 |
Imperial Society of Hurmu | ISH | 186,763 | 3.91% | 1 | new |
Post-Verionist Movement in Hurmu | PVMH | 44,797 | 0.94% | 0 | -1 |
Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu | HUHU | 37,980 | 0.80% | 0 | ±0 |
Total | 4,772,627 | 100.00% | 20 | ±0 |
Lontinien
Lontinien elected 19 representatives. Overall, the results were an upset for the ruling Coalition for Democratic Humanism. Although still given a plurality of votes, the voter base was now less than a third of all voters.
Party | Abbr. | Votes | Percentage | Seats | Diff (seats) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coalition for Democratic Humanism | CDH | 1,294,030 | 29.37% | 6 | -2 |
Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu | SDP | 1,287,033 | 29.21% | 6 | +4 |
Communist Workers' Party | CWP | 645,076 | 14.64% | 3 | +3 |
Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu | HUHU | 218,495 | 4.96% | 1 | ±0 |
Excluded Middle and Mondo Party of Hurmu | EMMP | 214,940 | 4.88% | 1 | ±0 |
Edasi Hurmu | Edasi | 211,593 | 4.80% | 1 | -3 |
Imperial Society of Hurmu | ISH | 209,028 | 4.74% | 1 | new |
Society of Yeshua | SY | 95,904 | 2.18% | 0 | ±0 |
Conservative Party of Hurmu | CPH | 88,397 | 2.01% | 0 | ±0 |
Blue Skies | BS | 77,028 | 1.75% | 0 | -2 |
Post-Verionist Movement in Hurmu | PVMH | 64,930 | 1.47% | 0 | -1 |
Total | 4,406,454 | 100.00% | 19 | ±0 |
Rekozemlje
Rekozemlje elected 21 representatives. Results here saw a landslide victory for the Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu, reaching almost a majority of all votes.
Party | Abbr. | Votes | Percentage | Seats | Diff (seats) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu | SDP | 2,237,720 | 46.82% | 10 | +8 |
Society of Yeshua | SY | 895,616 | 18.74% | 4 | ±0 |
Communist Workers' Party | CWP | 448,055 | 9.37% | 2 | +1 |
Coalition for Democratic Humanism | CDH | 220,039 | 4.60% | 1 | -3 |
Excluded Middle and Mondo Party of Hurmu | EMMP | 218,510 | 4.57% | 1 | ±0 |
Edasi Hurmu | Edasi | 209,488 | 4.38% | 1 | -4 |
Conservative Party of Hurmu | CPH | 198,057 | 4.14% | 1 | -3 |
Imperial Society of Hurmu | ISH | 184,104 | 3.85% | 1 | new |
Post-Verionist Movement in Hurmu | PVMH | 77,104 | 1.61% | 0 | ±0 |
Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu | HUHU | 53,018 | 1.11% | 0 | ±0 |
Blue Skies | BS | 38,017 | 0.80% | 0 | ±0 |
Total | 4,779,728 | 100.00% | 21 | ±0 |
Al-Khadra
The Al-Khadra District elected 20 representatives.
Party | Abbr. | Votes | Percentage | Seats | Diff (seats) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative Party of Hurmu | CPH | 1,508,223 | 30.79% | 6 | -4 |
Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu | SDP | 905,920 | 18.49% | 4 | +3 |
Communist Workers' Party | CWP | 748,055 | 15.27% | 3 | +2 |
Imperial Society of Hurmu | ISH | 510,930 | 10.43% | 2 | new |
Excluded Middle and Mondo Party of Hurmu | EMMP | 489,064 | 9.98% | 2 | ±0 |
Edasi Hurmu | Edasi | 252,973 | 5.16% | 1 | -3 |
Coalition for Democratic Humanism | CDH | 250,331 | 5.11% | 1 | -1 |
Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu | HUHU | 232,918 | 4.75% | 1 | ±0 |
Total | 4,898,414 | 100.00% | 20 | -1 |
Amaland
Amaland elected 7 representatives. The voters returned a majority for the SDP–Communist coalition.
Party | Abbr. | Votes | Percentage | Seats | Diff (seats) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu | SDP | 640,927 | 38.58% | 3 | +2 |
Coalition for Democratic Humanism | CDH | 230,194 | 13.86% | 1 | ±0 |
Excluded Middle and Mondo Party of Hurmu | EMMP | 225,485 | 13.57% | 1 | ±0 |
Communist Workers' Party | CWP | 208,018 | 12.52% | 1 | ±0 |
Edasi Hurmu | Edasi | 180,066 | 10.84% | 1 | -1 |
Conservative Party of Hurmu | CPH | 73,089 | 4.40% | 0 | -1 |
Imperial Society of Hurmu | ISH | 66,301 | 3.99% | 0 | new |
Post-Verionist Movement in Hurmu | PVMH | 25,068 | 1.51% | 0 | ±0 |
Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu | HUHU | 12,040 | 0.72% | 0 | ±0 |
Total | 1,661,188 | 100.00% | 7 | ±0 |
Karnamark
Party | Abbr. | Votes | Percentage | Seats | Diff (seats) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu | SDP | 295,085 | 42.60% | 2 | +2 |
Coalition for Democratic Humanism | CDH | 110,041 | 15.89% | 1 | ±0 |
Communist Workers' Party | CWP | 85,084 | 12.28% | 1 | 1 |
Edasi Hurmu | Edasi | 60,205 | 8.69% | 0 | -2 |
Excluded Middle and Mondo Party of Hurmu | EMMP | 55,093 | 7.95% | 0 | ±0 |
Conservative Party of Hurmu | CPH | 38,058 | 5.49% | 0 | -1 |
Imperial Society of Hurmu | ISH | 25,099 | 3.62% | 0 | new |
Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu | HUHU | 14,508 | 2.09% | 0 | ±0 |
Post-Verionist Movement in Hurmu | PVMH | 9,555 | 1.38% | 0 | ±0 |
Total | 692,728 | 100.00% | 4 | 0 |
Moorland
Moorland was due to elect 1 representative, but the election was put on hold until the situation has calmed down there.
Samhold
Samhold elected 1 representative. The district is where the Excluded Middle and Mondo Party is most popular, increasing its support considerably (more than doubled) among the voters of the island.
Party | Abbr. | Votes | Percentage | Seats | Diff (seats) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Excluded Middle and Mondo Party | EMMP | 18,569 | 45.53% | 1 | ±0 |
Social and Democratic Party | SDP | 11,044 | 27.08% | 0 | ±0 |
Coalition for Democratic Humanism | CDH | 4,708 | 11.54% | 0 | ±0 |
Edasi Hurmu | Edasi | 2,869 | 7.04% | 0 | ±0 |
Communist Workers' Party | CWP | 1,508 | 3.70% | 0 | ±0 |
Conservative Party | CPH | 806 | 1.98% | 0 | ±0 |
Imperial Society | ISH | 770 | 1.89% | 0 | ±0 |
Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti | HUHU | 506 | 1.24% | 0 | ±0 |
Total | 40,780 | 100.00% | 1 | ±0 |
Transprinitica
Transprinitica returned 6 members, the results of the election were an upset to the governing parties.
Party | Abbreviation | Votes | Percentage | Seats | Diff (seats) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Communist Workers' Party | CWP | 220,010 | 31.52% | 2 | 1 |
Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu | HUHU | 180,918 | 25.92% | 2 | 1 |
Coalition for Democratic Humanism | CDH | 95,937 | 13.75% | 1 | 0 |
Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu | SDP | 89,018 | 12.75% | 1 | 1 |
Excluded Middle and Mondo Party of Hurmu | EMMP | 34,937 | 5.01% | ||
Imperial Society of Hurmu | ISH | 22,958 | 3.29% | ||
Edasi Hurmu | Edasi | 22,047 | 3.16% | -2 | |
Conservative Party of Hurmu | CPH | 18,038 | 2.58% | -1 | |
Post-Verionist Movement in Hurmu | PVMH | 14,048 | 2.01% | ||
Total | 697,911 | 100.00% | 6 | 0 |
Government formation
Immediate aftermath
Even though the new Parlerment (Senate and Assembly) would not be meeting until new year's day 1719, the Social and Democratic Party – and its allies the Communist Workers' Party and the Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu, having secured a majority in the Assembly – began negotiating for a new coalition government. Initially, the United Ayreonist–Traditionalist Faction was invited to discuss the senatorial side of the matter, but withdrew once it was clear that the new coalition would not respect the traditions and preeminence of the Senate. In the interests of constitutional stability, SDP leader Annika Raudsepp and the incumbent Senate chancellor Li Naomiai agreed to meet regularly to help the new coalition understand the culture of the Senate and introduce, on behalf of the government, legislation for the Senate's consideration.
After much debate, Raudsepp's chances of becoming prime minister became greater once the (outgoing) Senate ratified the election results on 5.XII.1718 with support from the Ayreonist–Traditionalists, Conservatives and Verionists. The debate went as follows:
The established parties have failed to answer the need of the people. We need not answer in a way they needed when the wprking people protested. The parties associated with the Senate, the EMMP excluded, all suffered defeat, as they were seen as embracing oligarchy over democracy, the nobility over the common people... and for that we have suffered. I am confident that we can find a way to co-exist with the new Assembly majority.—Ichirō (U)
I'm not as confident that co-existence will prove possible in the long term. Not only has a sizeable slice of the populace publicly rejected parties that stand for the status quo, but the election reveals alarming (and growing) interregional differences. In Transprinitica and Rekozemlje, two-thirds of voters now back parties who would like to abolish this senate; yet in Samhold, these proportions are reversed. It will be a tough challenge for any government to satisfy an increasingly polarised Hurmu. All that said, to refuse to ratify the election will cause an open breach between the Senate and large parts of the population. I cannot see how we can fail to accept the results and avoid serious social unrest and perhaps even civil war.—Mondo Etzeterra (U)
Whilst we can forgive the multitudes, for they know not what it is that they do, we cannot allow the destructive and false doctrines of egalitarianism to take root. The results must be rejected, and the populace given another chance to cast their vote in a manner that accords with societal harmony.
And risk an even larger socialist majority? If we tell the people they've voted wrong, they're not gonna go "oh yeah you're right, sorry, I'll change my vote", they'll be more likely to vote socialist. It's better that the Senate cooperate with the incoming government, we will oppose their wrongful laws (which is fine to do), but constitutionally we should allow them to perform their democratic duty, and ensure that there is a government with a confidence of the Assembly. Sooner or later, the majority will crack, and more pragmatic leadership will take its place.—Kristofer u-Malik (V)
We have a duty to remain steadfast. To guard against those forces which would upend the balance of our rightly guided and harmonious society, the Humanist List shall always refuse to endorse any result which favours the misguided turn towards egalitarianism. We shall always work kindly with the populace to help them understand the acceptable alternatives, so that they do not destabilise the state and society through the exercise of powers beyond their comprehension.
I do agree with our Humanist friends that the real problem here is that people are being a sold a lie: that choice will make them happy. I have observed that too much choice does not make people happy; they become confused and angry. People think they want the freedom to make lots of choices when what they really want is a system that allows them to lead happy and productive lives, with lots of cake. The people offering this illusion of choice don't really want them to be "free"; they want the people to give them power. And then they will disappoint those who supported them. The latter will then make different choices and the cycle will continue to repeat itself until everyone but Mondo is hopelessly depressed and jaded!—Mondo Etzeterra (U)
After debate was concluded, 11 votes were cast in favour (C, U, V) and 6 against (H).
In a press conference thereafter, Annika Raudsepp called the Senate vote a victory for democracy:
Democracy has prevailed. The people's voice has been respected by the aristocracy. Even though they know their time has come, that the new government, led by me as prime minister, will make democratization of our institutions the top priority – even though our programme is in direct conflict with the interests of the nobility of our land, most of whom are foreigners without ever having set place in Hurmu, they have lost this battle against democracy. Their has come. Now it is the time of the people!—Annika Raudsepp (SDP)
She reported later that while negotiations with the Communists and Umraists were almost concluded, she would continue to seek out some kind of platform compromise with the Senate leadership. While it looked impossible to actually abolish the Senate, she hoped that the new leadership of the Senate would acquiesce to the democratic majority and not interfere with the government reforms.
An assembly of Humanists meanwhile continued at Ghawlama, as the CDH took stock of the situation.
On 22.XIII.1718, Fahime Jafarnejad, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, signed a decree that transferred matters of currency, including the gold reserve, from the Executive to the Senate of the Lakes. In response, the Social Democrats and Communists called on the immediate resignation of the minister, the prime minister, and his entire cabinet, referring to Jafarnejad's decree as an "authoritarian step by an authoritarian government refusing to accept its democratic defeat". Moreover, they signalled they would fight the implementation of the decree, as it was "illegal, constitutional, and repugnant to the principle of democratic oversight of the country's finances". The Office of the Prime Minister issued a statement on behalf of the government noting that the transfer was within the lawful powers of the Executive, and consistent with the paramount sovereignty of the Order of the Holy Lakes over Hurmu. Moreover, the statement continued, the transfer of the Treasury reserves into the safekeeping of the Senate would greatly enhance the creditworthiness of Hurmu on the bond markets of the Raspur Pact, ensuring that the fiscal stability of the realm would be preserved during the transitional period. The Prime Minister was unavailable for comment, having travelled to Tiegang for his eldest son's wedding to the daughter of Anthony al-Osman. On 24.XV.1719, the position of Secretary of State for the Bank, Mint and Press of Hurmu was established, to be held by Fahime Jafarnejad.
A week before the end of the Senate term, Annika Raudsepp held a press conference, in which she, inter alia, said:
I expect the Senate to respect the legitimacy of the overwhelming democratic mandate bestowed upon my incoming administration. To that end, I call upon the Senate to relinquish those unlawfully established offices, created as usurpations of ministries under the authority of the People's Assembly. The so-called 'secretaries of state' must tender their resignation by the last day of 1718. The Assembly shall, upon the commencement of the new legislative session, bring forth new legislation to bring all government competences under the authority of the Hurmu Executive appointed by the Prime Minister from the majority ruling party of the Assembly.
The incumbent Prime Minister, Jamshid-e Osman, refused further calls for resignation of either himself or the secretaries of state, ordering them to remain in their positions as servants of the Senate until the new Senate has decided otherwise.
1719
In Hurmu tradition, new year's day 1719 was the solemn state opening of Parlerment. In the Senate, Li Naomiai, the outgoing Chancellor and mother of the house, led the proceedings to elect new officers of the Senate and the Order of the Holy Lakes.
Meanwhile, in the Assembly, once the festivities were over, the Assembly elected a new speaker, Rashid Hasanzadeh, whose first act was to accept the motion for no confidence in the cabinet of Jamshid-e Osman. The motion was passed with 58 votes in favour of no confidence (on party lines: SDP, CWP, CPH, HUHU), 37 vote against (CDH, Edasi, EMMP, ISH, SY), and 3 abstentions (Koos, Mod). Jamshid-e Osman was accordingly removed from the position of Prime Minister, as were his ministers, with the decision to be postponed, in accordance with Hurmu law, until such time that Parlerment confirms a new prime minister.
On the next day, 2.I.1719, Speaker Rashid Hasanzadeh met with representatives of the parties and senatorial factions to make an overview of what coalitions would be possible. As expected, no coalition would likely receive a majority in the Senate. Despite the calls from the Humanists and Edasi/United List, Hasanzadeh did not allow for more negotiations to find what Li Naomiai had suggested a "government of national unity" (like the one led by Jan Spiik briefly in 1690). On the evening of 2.I.1719, Hasanzadeh nominated in the Assembly Annika Raudsepp for the position of the Prime Minister of Hurmu. On 3.I.1719, the nomination received a second reading, and on 4.I.1719, a third reading, followed by a vote.
The motion read:
The Assembly of Representatives nominates as Prime Minister, Annika Raudsepp, who intends to form a coalition government with support in the Assembly from the Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu, the Communist Workers' Party, and the Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu, and, in the Senate, with hopping majorities for its policies after fruitful negotiation in line with the democratic mandate afforded the government.
Party | Abbr. | Seats | Yes | No | Abstain |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Social and Democratic Party of Hurmu | SDP | 32 | 32 | ||
Communist Workers' Party | CWP | 14 | 14 | ||
Coalition for Democratic Humanism | CDH | 12 | 12 | ||
Edasi Hurmu | Edasi | 8 | 8 | ||
Excluded Middle and Mondo Party of Hurmu | EMMP | 8 | 8 | ||
Conservative Party of Hurmu | CPH | 8 | 8 | ||
Imperial Society of Hurmu | ISH | 5 | 5 | ||
Society of Yeshua | SY | 4 | 4 | ||
Hizb ul-ʿUmrāti ul-Hurmu | HUHU | 4 | 4 | ||
Koos | Koos | 2 | 2 | ||
Moderate Party | Mod | 1 | 1 | ||
Total | 98 | 50 | 37 | 11 |
As such, Annika Raudsepp was nominated, the Assembly's motion was sent to the Senate for ratification.
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