Arvida, Île Québec Swept By Regional Parties
Mont Vidé, Arvida - Regional parties dominated in the recent local elections for both Arvida and Île Québec, winning as much as 60 percent of the popular vote in each. The votes come as each of the two regions sets up their first autonomous governments and attempts to take control over local matters. Both of the two areas received partial independence from Jonquiere-Tadoussac in the aftermath of the Jontadain Civil War, ending their status as royal territories.
In Arvida, the centrist Action Démoratique Arvidain, a local chapter of the Action Démocratique Jontadain, won a majority government over the protectorate's parilamentary governing system, taking 25 of the parliament's 65 seats. "I am very happy with our election results," said party leader Prime Minister Yves Daignault. "The people of Arvida have shown they are ready to continue with the progressive steps we've taken over the past few years, and that they aren't rushing into any rash decisions." The ADA ran on a platform of continued devolution of powers for the protectorate from Jonquiere-Tadoussac, as well as ensuring the economic welfare of Arvidains.
The statements of Prime Minister Daignault may be coming early, though, as the party only won 35 percent of the popular vote. Their closest competitor, with 32 percent, is the Arvida Integrale party, which took 20 seats. Based in the region, the party's platform advocated reintegration of the protectorate as a full province of Jonquiere-Tadoussac, largely undoing what changes had been made in previous years. "Arvidains are no different than other Jontadains, and the current system does not recognize that," stated party leader Orion Corbeau. "Instead, we are forced to create our own system, our own government services, and our own infrastructure, with no help from the federal government. It's ludicrous, and it's high time we stop this 'devolution' nonsense."
Early prospects put the ADA as securing a hold on power, being able to form a coalition with the Parti conservateur économique on its local economy support stance. With the PCÉ's 12 seats, this would put the coalition at 37 of the parliament's 65 seats; enough to form a stable majority. Also winning seats in the election was the Parti social démocratique du Jonquiere-Tadoussac, with the remaining 8 representatives.
Île Québec Awash With Sovereigntists
Electoral Results in Île Québec were not so friendly to the Jontadain federal government. Though early polls put the local SDJT chapter in the lead, the sovereigntist Indépendence Île Québec won an absolute majority in the Colonial Council at the end of the night. Pushing for full, rapid independence from Jonquiere-Tadoussac, the IÎQ was seen as a fringe party that might win a few seats in the Council. Instead, they are sending 29 consuls out of the 45 constituencies. The island also elects 25 seats by proportional representation, 10 of which were won by the IÎQ with 41 percent of the vote. Under the Consular system, the council elected Gabrielle Duroi as Colonial Consul, the head of government for the island. "This victory marks a turning point in the Québécois struggle for freedom," Duroi said in a statement. "The island stood up and demanded change from the government."
The IÎQ garnered some controversy during their campaign through their promise that, if elected, they would seek UN membership and recognition of Île Québec as an independent state. Though this was widely criticized as unrealistic, destabilizing, and illegal, it is believed to have gained some last minute support for the party, both from hardline nationalists and those who believe such a stunt is necessary for increased autonomy for the island.
In opposition is the regional arm of the SDJT, the Parti Social Démocratique d'Île Québec. The STÎQ finished with only 19 seats out of the total 60, a great disappointment to its supporters. "I had hoped the island would vote for progressive change," lamented party leader Camille Tremblay. "Instead, we will have to wait through several IÎQ blunders, such as a failed UN stunt, before they realize which party truly represents their interests."
Rounding out the Colonial Council is the Action Démocratique Québécois, with the remaining two consular positions, both allocated through proportional representation. Though some point to this as an example of fringe parties winning seats without the necessary credibility, most are cheering it as an example of the success of proportional representation. "The system works; those who voted for the minority are represented. That goes far towards solving any form of democratic deficit in my view," notes political scientist Dr. Fernand Desriches.
IDUnews
In Arvida, the centrist Action Démoratique Arvidain, a local chapter of the Action Démocratique Jontadain, won a majority government over the protectorate's parilamentary governing system, taking 25 of the parliament's 65 seats. "I am very happy with our election results," said party leader Prime Minister Yves Daignault. "The people of Arvida have shown they are ready to continue with the progressive steps we've taken over the past few years, and that they aren't rushing into any rash decisions." The ADA ran on a platform of continued devolution of powers for the protectorate from Jonquiere-Tadoussac, as well as ensuring the economic welfare of Arvidains.
The statements of Prime Minister Daignault may be coming early, though, as the party only won 35 percent of the popular vote. Their closest competitor, with 32 percent, is the Arvida Integrale party, which took 20 seats. Based in the region, the party's platform advocated reintegration of the protectorate as a full province of Jonquiere-Tadoussac, largely undoing what changes had been made in previous years. "Arvidains are no different than other Jontadains, and the current system does not recognize that," stated party leader Orion Corbeau. "Instead, we are forced to create our own system, our own government services, and our own infrastructure, with no help from the federal government. It's ludicrous, and it's high time we stop this 'devolution' nonsense."
Early prospects put the ADA as securing a hold on power, being able to form a coalition with the Parti conservateur économique on its local economy support stance. With the PCÉ's 12 seats, this would put the coalition at 37 of the parliament's 65 seats; enough to form a stable majority. Also winning seats in the election was the Parti social démocratique du Jonquiere-Tadoussac, with the remaining 8 representatives.
Île Québec Awash With Sovereigntists
Electoral Results in Île Québec were not so friendly to the Jontadain federal government. Though early polls put the local SDJT chapter in the lead, the sovereigntist Indépendence Île Québec won an absolute majority in the Colonial Council at the end of the night. Pushing for full, rapid independence from Jonquiere-Tadoussac, the IÎQ was seen as a fringe party that might win a few seats in the Council. Instead, they are sending 29 consuls out of the 45 constituencies. The island also elects 25 seats by proportional representation, 10 of which were won by the IÎQ with 41 percent of the vote. Under the Consular system, the council elected Gabrielle Duroi as Colonial Consul, the head of government for the island. "This victory marks a turning point in the Québécois struggle for freedom," Duroi said in a statement. "The island stood up and demanded change from the government."
The IÎQ garnered some controversy during their campaign through their promise that, if elected, they would seek UN membership and recognition of Île Québec as an independent state. Though this was widely criticized as unrealistic, destabilizing, and illegal, it is believed to have gained some last minute support for the party, both from hardline nationalists and those who believe such a stunt is necessary for increased autonomy for the island.
In opposition is the regional arm of the SDJT, the Parti Social Démocratique d'Île Québec. The STÎQ finished with only 19 seats out of the total 60, a great disappointment to its supporters. "I had hoped the island would vote for progressive change," lamented party leader Camille Tremblay. "Instead, we will have to wait through several IÎQ blunders, such as a failed UN stunt, before they realize which party truly represents their interests."
Rounding out the Colonial Council is the Action Démocratique Québécois, with the remaining two consular positions, both allocated through proportional representation. Though some point to this as an example of fringe parties winning seats without the necessary credibility, most are cheering it as an example of the success of proportional representation. "The system works; those who voted for the minority are represented. That goes far towards solving any form of democratic deficit in my view," notes political scientist Dr. Fernand Desriches.
IDUnews
posted by Le Jontadain at 6:17 p.m.
<< Home