The Second Election of 1870
Due to the breakdown of negotiations and the complete implosion of the UAI, Konrad von Schwaben's second interim reign as Chancellor began with the immediate convening of new elections for the Reichstag.
With the "lost Reichstag" (a name coined by a Conservative newspaper that quickly spread) in power, individual ministers began to look ahead to the new elections, and planned policies that were designed to appeal to segments of the German population. Michael von Hohenzollern's call to imprison protesters "for the public good" earned praise from Conservatives and Imperialists alike, but near universal condemnation from every other party. The Liberator, Franz Meningen, now the Foreign Minister, saw fit to tie the noose around the British Empire's neck still tighter. An alliance with Norway was a key part of that, and a timely revolution in Sweden opened up another Scandinavian country to German influences. [1] At the same time, while Germany's allies were winning their wars, Japan saw a widespread rebellion against their government, a move that might poison Japanese-German relations.
Another NLPD minister, Frederick Carile (the Minister of Finance), announced a tax cut of 10% across the board. Throughout the six month period of the "lost Reichstag", the realm's daily balance fluctuated from slight profit to slight deficit, but a sizable German treasury prevented any serious question of economic collapse.
The Minister of War, Hals Gutfreund, appealed to his own constituency at the New Society by loudly condemning the Liberal Minister of Education's platform of "philosophy and economic development," in particular inroads into Analytic Philosophy, while the German naval fell further behind the competition. Gutfreund's only victory was the completion of his naval infrastructure plan, which at least assured that the modernization of the fleet did not lag too far behind. [2] The imprisonment of a Greek nationalist rallied support to the HUN, in particular the fact that the nationalist had only been arrested, not executed.
But the dominant story in the new elections was the relationship between Dr. Dominik Fellman and Ludwig Fredrik Anderson of the UAI. Some conservative newspapers got wind of the scandalous treatment of the UAI party leader and took malicious pleasure in exposing the same liberals who had spread such "horrible and unsubstantiated lies" against the ex-Chancellor Michael von Hohenzollern. The result was the collapse of the UAI's formerly strong position, tumbling from the largest party in the Reichstag to fourth.
In the Conclave, the Socialists, pushing for a platform of social reform, continued to make great strides. Although some Stadtholders changed parties, most of those moves were lateral, save for Dr. Fellman's request to join the DDA, a request which had not yet been reciprocated at the time of the election.
The NLPD was clearly in the driver's seat to form a coalition. It remained to be seen whether Konrad von Schwaben would receive his first full term as Chancellor, or whether the UAI could cash in some favors to regain some face. Perhaps a Conservative resurgence might result.
[1] Sweden was in the British sphere and hated us before the Revolution. Canada is a GP, and our alliance with Ethiopia prevents us from extending an alliance to them.
[2] I actually built the final three naval bases in the first month or so, since I'd forgotten to do that in the last update or so. :blush:
Party leaders, it's time to negotiate for coalitions. DDA needs to confirm if Fellman can join their party.
We can still do Social Reform, but we also have the ability to pass the final political reform, which allows for All Trade Unions. That's a topic for debate, obviously. Other constitutional amendments may also be formally proposed at this time. Again, please do not vote on any propositions until I give you the go-ahead. We'll allot 48 hours (that is, Friday at 10 PM CST, -6 GMT) for debate and discussion before I formally things for a vote.
A final point of order: the post of Commander of the Gendarmerie may not be apportioned as part of a coalition, as the Constitution clearly stipulates that the appointment is made by the Minister of the Interior. Therefore, said post also does not count towards the required party balance, where 25% in either house = a Cabinet post.
So... propose away!