1704 Free Elwynn elections
The 1704 elections in the Free Area of the Elwynnese Republic are the second scheduled elections in Free Elwynn following the cessation of hostilities of the Second Elwynnese Civil War. A Prince, a congress, and comital assemblies (replacing the former bailiwicks) are to be elected. Elections are scheduled to take place throughout the first month of 1697. There are 638,000 registered electors.
Princely elections
Candidates
- Eki Verion, incumbent princess, supported by the House of Verion and the Verionist Union
- Rost Pedressen, Candidate of the Indigenous Census, supported by the Holy Church of the Divine Icebear, the Holy Party of the Divine Icebear, and the Union of Truth and Beauty
- Marcus Alondorion, supported by the Elwynnese Workers' Party, trade union leader in Cimmeria.
- Ezabel Kaaq, supported by the Ayreonist Independence Party, psychiatrist and chairwoman of the Red Orchid Society of Free Elwynn, which helped with the influx of refugees and other displaced persons coming to Cimmeria and Raikoth.
Results
First Round
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Eki Verion | 206,802 | 42.6% |
| Rost Pedressen | 153.887 | 31.7% |
| Marcus Alondorion | 74,759 | 15.4% |
| Ezabel Kaaq | 50,002 | 10.3% |
| Total | 485,449 | 100% |
The turnout for the first round was 76%. Since none of the candidates received an outright majority, a second round between Eki Verion and Rost Pedressen was needed.
Congressional elections
The 1704 election saw the following result in the Congress:
| Party | Votes | Percentage | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verionist Union | 198,336 | 41.6% | 18 |
| Holy Party of the Divine Icebear | 120,843 | 25.3% | 11 |
| Ayreonist Independence Party | 68,901 | 14.4% | 6 |
| Elwynnese Workers' Party | 51,289 | 10.8% | 5 |
| Union for Truth and Beauty | 37,922 | 7.9% | 3 |
| Total valid votes | 477,291 | 100% | 43 |
Aftermath
The results of the elections gave the Holy Party of the Divine Icebear a crucial role in Elwynnese politics. Verionist Union leader Stephen Lewis called upon the party to endorse a VU-HPDI coalition, and continue the government. However, HPDI chairman Xoxu Pickling stated his intention to hold "consultative talks" with the other parties to see if a government without the VU could be formed. Meanwhile, the Ayreonists and socialists threw their support behind Rost Pedressen, endangering the continued government of Eki Verion. In response, the current government announced that the councillors supporting Pedressen would immediately lose their positions, and that the second round of the Princely elections would not take place until a coalition had been formed. This stirred unrest among supporters of Pedressen, and the HDPI refused to enter talks with the VU. Nevertheless, several congressmembers for the AIP and the EWP did not want to enter into an anti-VU coalition.
Verionist-Raspur Talks
Unable to resolve the political stalemate, several prominent Verionists including Stephen Lewis, entered secret talks with the Humanist government of continental Elwynn. A source within the Verionist camp was quoted as saying "these people are completely out of control. What do Icebearians and Ayreonist have without us? We are the reason that this state exists and so we should rule it". Prominent business leaders aligned with the Verionists expressed grave concerns for talks of nationalising private assets by Pedressen and his supporters.
