Election of 1840
1 July 1840, Nürnberg
As had become an unofficial custom, all of the candidates to become Chancellor met with the head of the House of Hohenzollern at his home in Nürnberg, ostensibly to discuss policy, but in reality to enjoy the summer sun and visit old friends.
Friedrich von Hohenzollern, Stadtholder von Nürnberg, had only recently recovered from the loss of his father and beloved sister. Between that and the rigors needed to run the Navy of the Republic, Friedrich had barely been engaged in the political life of Germany at all. Certainly not to the extent of the four men who sat with him on his porch, at any rate.
Joachim Peymann of the Alliance and Florentin Willem, Graf von Wächtersbach of the New Society were the oldest men there, both of them in their seventies, yet their outlooks were very different. Peymann was running for the Chancellery for the second consecutive election, but his party had lost heart in 1836, and his nomination was entirely uncontested. Some observers speculated that his party’s weak position was a result of their pacifism, which only became more vocal as the Germans won one of the easiest wars in recorded history.
Florentin Willem, on the other hand, fought a spirited campaign against Friedrich von Mannerheim, the victorious Chief of Staff of Republican Army. In fact, his party’s nomination wasn’t clear until the early hours of the first of July, when Mannerheim somewhat crossly conceded defeat. The Graf von Wächtersbach was full of confidence in his ability to lead the party, especially with Mannerheim’s support (however begrudging).
The shocking decision of Chancellor Picard not to run for reelection sent ripples throughout the UAI. Adolph Unger, the former Minister of Education, sought to increase his party’s glory even further by associating it with the name that had championed the cause of republicanism so long ago. He was the youngest candidate, by far, and this youthful exuberance promised to be a key advantage for the UAI.
The Imperialists were the first to nominate a candidate: DDr. Gotha. However, the Imperialists had some identity problems – Gotha was no jingoist, despite the overwhelming preference of his party, and only his strong character and clear principles kept him at the lead of his party. (There were rumors that a few members of the Imperialists shouted “Go to the Alliance, you pacifist pansy!” when his name was proposed at the Imperialist caucus.)
As the five men discussed the election, a scant hour away, they reflected on the years that had just passed.
For the first time in years, Europe was relatively peaceful. France had consolidated much of her hold on western Europe, while Poland continued to lose ground in Asia but keep it in Europe.
Minister Unger had reason to be pleased; the education system of Germany was first rate, and only getting better.
Yet the New Society could claim victories too – in particular, the strong economy.
However, tax rates had increased over the four years, where 60% of the income of the poor was assessed (for a practical assessment of 24.4%) in taxes; the middle class and rich were taxed heavily too, at 55% and 50% respectively. Yet perhaps the most damaging facet of the economy was the lack of railroads – this was not unique to Germany, of course, but the Imperialists hammered both the New Society and UAI on this hard.
The most important problem facing the Republic were the virulent influenza and cholera epidemics; these combined to inflict horrific death totals on the land, and those who survived found their way to other countries.
The UAI countered the claims by the Imperialists of malfeasance by pointing out the internal order that the country had enjoyed, matched by dominance abroad.
Unfortunately, this opened an avenue of attack the UAI had not anticipated: the Alliance’s revelation of a large movement of pro-suffragists, who sought to equalize voting in the Republic for rich and poor alike. The Alliance viciously attacked the UAI for allowing such inequity in voting to continue.
The UAI, beset on all sides, approached the Conclave elections with some dread; this dread was justified, as the New Society edged just ahead of them in the Conclave.
The Alliance’s attack backfired – it raised awareness that not everything in Germany was as perfect as the politicians might pretend, and fear of instability drove votes into the arms of the New Society. Reform went from unlikely to impossible. The real surprise was the voting in the Assembly.
The UAI was the largest party once again, but they had lost some ground. The New Society and Imperialists, pouncing on the weakness of the UAI and the Alliance’s indecision, announced the formation of a coalition government with Florentin Willem as Chancellor of the Republic.
The voting shares work out thusly, with all members being seated (even Ab Ovo, who chose not to give me a birthdate, cough cough). Jeeshadow is shifted from the Assembly to the Conclave, and Firehound15 is officially seated.
Conclave
New Society – 42 votes, 5 members = 8.4 votes per member
UAI – 40 votes, 6 members = 6 2/3 votes per member
Imperialists – 17 votes, 2 members = 8.5 votes per member
Alliance – 1 vote, first Alliance Conclave member to cast the vote gets it
Positions by party
Interior goes to New Society
Finance, Education – one should go to the UAI, one to the New Society
State Planning Commission Head – Imperialists/New Society*
Assembly
UAI – 205 votes, 2 members = 102.5 votes per member
New Society – 175 votes, 4 members = 43.75 votes per member
Imperialists – 75 votes, 6 members = 12.5 votes per member
Alliance – 40 votes, 2 members = 20 votes per member
Positions by party
UAI is guaranteed either Foreign Policy or War; other will go to New Society*
Decisions to vote on
Die Wacht am Rhein
Alsace-Lorraine
Constitutional Amendments
Two proposed by me:
Coalitions – Do we stick with the in-game mechanic or allow parties to choose their own? So, for example, in this particular election, the UAI and Imperialists could have made some kind of deal to keep the Chancellery in the hands of the UAI, for example.
Party balance – Rule for Minister of the Interior stays (biggest party there gets the spot). If receiving at least 25% of a house, or a coalition partner, must receive at least one position.
If passed, this rule would go into effect immediately.
I’ll leave proposals open for 24 hours, or until Friday at 10 PM (+4 GMT). Please, do not vote until then (or until I say differently). ((If you want on the ballot, Gen. Marshall, you’ll have to tell me what it is you’re proposing, exactly.))