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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!
 
((Here are the GPs and sphere.

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I wish there were an easy way to post a sphere map, but unfortunately we're just too farflung to get it all in one screenshot. You're only missing Japan and Yemen (roughly modern day Kamchatka) in this screen, though.

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Anything yellow colored is in our sphere -- yellow + stripes means we have the sphere but other countries still have some influence.

Count on Japan knocking Canada out of the GPs within the next five to ten years; Canada's all prestige. Tver (10) or Ak Koyunlu (16) could knock people out of the GPs if there's a nasty great war. Everyone else in the top 16 seems mostly prestige driven.))
 
In response to various petitions of membership:

"Of course let them join! It is not for me to decide with whom a man may associate".
 
((Thanks. Byz and Canada have to be the biggest paper tiger GPs ever. Who won the War of the Koyunlus by the way?))

((Still on going, although it doesn't look good for QK. Bulgaria still continues as well.))

In response to various petitions of membership:

"Of course let them join! It is not for me to decide with whom a man may associate".

((There's one guy who wants to switch parties. :p))
 
((There's one guy who wants to switch parties. :p))

((One player, yes, but he surely counts for more than one person in-game?

Or is a man just not allowed to be lazy with these formalities? :p))
 
Now that we have concluded yet another election, I believe it would be prudent to reintroduce the constitutional reforms that Herr Alimari and I presented but that were lost in the chaos.

If no one party controls 50% of the seats, party leaders are free to form coalitions as they see fit.

Every party leader is assumed to be their party's candidate for the position of Chancellor unless explicitly stated by the party leader or a majority of the party.

Feel free to finesse the wording. Hopefully this shall remove some loopholes that plagued our political system recently.

- Wilhelm von Vandenburg
 
As such I believe the main "liberal" parties to have a great corruption of their mission to minimize the role of government in personal life and in business. As such I petition the DDA for membership in their party. as I believe that they are the only party that has not lost sight of this noble goal and plead the people of Germany to remember this in the upcoming election.

I will be frank, Dr Fellman; I was deeply disappointed by your actions. I grant there were procedural irregularities, but those could have been resolved without destroying the prospect of a coalition of liberal parties - a coalition which, whoever led it, would have been an improvement on what we now face.

However, I also am aware that you have had a long career of service to Germany, and that you do not oppose the aims and ideals of the Allianz. As such, I shall abstain on the issue of your membership, and if you are admitted to the party, shall strive to put our past differences behind us.

((DDA is not oversupplied with active players, so with one aye, I suspect Fellman is in.))
 
((One player, yes, but he surely counts for more than one person in-game?

Or is a man just not allowed to be lazy with these formalities? :p))
((Not that it matters much seeing as Fellman retired anyways. Asking for membership was mearly a recognition of the DDA's fidelity to a free market as opposed to the UAI or NLPD.))
 
((Not that it matters much seeing as Fellman retired anyways. Asking for membership was mearly a recognition of the DDA's fidelity to a free market as opposed to the UAI or NLPD.))

((not that NLPD is in favor of Free trade at all...))
 
Finally, we can get a government running, I await joyfully the results of the negotiations, so we may finally get the nation running again.
 
((Would it be easier if we let people do coalition negotiations in-thread? If people respect metagaming, I'd be okay with that.))
 
((Would it be easier if we let people do coalition negotiations in-thread? If people respect metagaming, I'd be okay with that.))

((No, it wouldn't. Secrecy is part of the fun :D

For all your information though, the NLPD has rejected a coalition offer with the UAI and DDA. I imagine they are negotiating with the Conservative parties now.))
 
I propose we enact minimum wage legislation. Although I am no socialist, I am also quite fond of not having my home burnt to the ground by unruly jackanapes.

Michael von Hohenzollern

((You've got a few hours left to propose other amendments or major legislation which affects both houses.))
 
Coalition of NLPD-NS-SP

The von Schwaben Cabinet:

Chancellor: Konrad von Schwaben (NLPD)
Minister of Interior and Deputy Chancellor: Karl Adimari (NS)
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Maximilian von Wittelsbach (NS)
Minister of Finance: Fredrick Carile (NLPD)
Minister of War: Hals Gutfreund (NLPD)
Minister of Education: Franz von Bavel-Timmermans (SP)
Minister of Social Affairs((The Modern Tribune)): Heinrich von Gogh (SP)

~ Konrad von Schwaben, Chancellor of the German Republic
 
Friedrich spits out his beer upon hearing about the new Cabinet.

Conservatives allying with liberals is one thing, but to join with socialists is unheard of!