Aerlan general election, 1760
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Elections in Aerla are scheduled to be held on 1.V.1760 AN. It will be the 7th election in the nation's history to elect both the President and all 121 seats of the National Assembly.
Incumbent President Thomas Guthrie is ineligible for re-election because the Presidency is limited to two terms under the 5th Amendment of the Aerlan Constitution. Party primaries occurred throughout 1759 AN.
In accordance with the Transcaledonia Integration Act, 1758, the National Assembly was expanded from 110 seats to 121 seats.
Presidential Election
Candidacies and Campaigns
Alexander Kim (ADP)
Alexander Kim, an Assemblyman from Jacques Parish, was selected as the ADP's candidate in a nationwide closed primary in early VII.1759 AN. He faced off against Agalore technology executive Wallace Neumann. Neumann campaigned on a more centrist platform, pledging education, healthcare, and energy reform.
Kim pledged to continue the reforms begun under President Guthrie, including the expanding of the Aerlan Healthcare System, pledging to make Public Relief funds "more accessible and inclusive", and creation of new immigrant welfare programs. He also issued a statement in support of renewable energy policies.
His biggest campaign promise, however, was the nationalization of the country's railroads and the implementation of a "universal fare system" nationwide. Kim stated in a Voice of Aerla interview on 3.II.1760 AN that he believed that the several railway corporations, already under immense financial strain, where either unwilling or unable to accommodate the ever-increasing ridership and the demand for high speed rail outside of the Harriston-Agalore Rail Corridor. This would be achieved by buying out private railroads and transferring them to public ownership.
In terms of foreign affairs, Kim is supportive of Aerlan contributions to the Bliven Fund. He stated that it was "A worthy contribution to our key ally in the region."
David Neylan (C)
David Neylan, an Assemblyman from Genos Parish, was selected as the Conservative Bloc's candidate in a nationwide closed primary in V.1759 AN. He defeated fellow Assemblyman Kevin Flowers of Fort Cassian Parish.
Neylan pledged to lower taxes and roll back renewable energy investments that "robbed Aerlan taxpayers". He also campaigned on the expansion of Aerlan borders to the north and annexing the former lands San Lucido to secure Aerla from "barbarians".
He fought back against Kim's pledge of nationalizing railroads, stating that while it was a "...good idea in principle, it would only further strain our rail network under the pressure of government bureaucracy." He instead proposed that the government negotiate with rail companies in order to lower fares, including potential tax cuts.
Neylan opposed Aerlan contributions to the Bliven Fund, stating that it was a "waste of money." He further explained that money being sent to Anglien could instead be used to strengthen domestic industries.
Franklin Hanneen (N)
Franklin Hanneen, an Assemblyman from Lawston Parish, was selected as the candidate for the Nazarene Bloc. As he did not face any opponents in his primary, he was automatically chosen.
Hanneen stated that he would repeal the Department of Church Affairs Abolition Act, 1752 and promote government funding of church schools.
Isabelle Woulfe (ALP)
Isabelle Woulfe, a labor activist from Barnmond Parish, was selected as the ALP's candidate by a party congress in late 1758 AN.
Woulfe criticized the policies of the ADP as not going far enough in terms of social and economical reform. She pledged, if elected, that the government would promote and fund agricultural collectives/cooperatives and tax the ultra-rich of the nation, and called out Kim for his refusal to pledge to do so.
She opposes Aerla's membership in the Concord Alliance Treaty Organization, believing it to be a waste of funds that could be used on domestic social services.
National Assembly Election
Debates
Results
Presidential
| Candidate | Party | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Kim | Aerlan Democratic Party | 7,585,293 | |
| David Neylan | Conservative Bloc | 5,449,068 | |
| Franklin Hanneen | Nazarene Bloc | 375,193 | |
| Isabelle Woulfe | Aerlan Labor Party | 2,348,752 |
National Assembly
| Party | Seats | +/- | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerlan Democratic Party | 64 | ▼ 6 | |
| Conservative Bloc | 35 | ▲ 10 | |
| Nazarene Bloc | 3 | ▼ 2 | |
| Aerlan Labor Party | 9 | New Party | |
| Hatayyian Democratic Party | 6 | = | |
| Ranentsian Independence Party | 4 | = |
Analysis
The election resulted in the third Reform/ADP-led government in a row at the price of 6 seats, most of which were lost the the Aerlan Labor Party. The party lost support with students and the younger generation and among more centrist voters on account of Kim's social reforms. The Conservatives made gains in both the historically Nazarene-dominated northeast and in largely agrarian Transcaledonia. The Aerlan Labor Party made significant gains in metropolitan and university parishes, including a shocking upset against long-time Agalore Reform/ADP Assemblyman Ludwig Meckers. The Nazarene Bloc all but collapsed, only holding onto 3 seats in the most religiously conservative districts of Mt. Kane Municipality. Both Regional Parties, the Hatayyian Democratic Party and the Ranentsian Independence Party both maintained their seats from the previous election.
Despite the loss of ADP seats in the Assembly, Kim still handily won the Presidency, prevailing over Neylan by 13 percentage points. After the National Electoral Commission certified the results on 2.V.1760 AN, Neylan conceded defeat and congratulated Kim.
Alexander Kim was officially inaugurated as the Fifth President of Aerla on 20.V.1760 AN, with the Eighth National Assembly convening on the same day.
