Election of 1873
The election of 1873 saw the rise and fall of political careers. Some were hurt, some were boosted, some parties secured victory, others lost in bitter defeat. It was a time of words and campaigns, radicals and conservative, socialism and reactionary ideals clashed. But what transpired in the election baffled everyone, some more then others.
First, let us talk about the National-Liberals. The Nat-Libs were expected to take an easy victory again this election, but something unexpected happened. The Nat-Libs learned that Date Munenari was bedridden with a stomach virus, and would be incapable of helping the Nat-Libs campaign. Without the backing of their great leader, the Nat-Libs suffered heavily in all regional contests, sometimes barely scrapping 20% in many of the regions. When it was all said and done, the National Liberals only obtained 225 seats out of the 475 (+12 with the induction of Hokkaido as a region), 13 away from a majority. The National Liberals, for the first time in years, did not get a majority...on their own. Their alliance with the Kamikaze Party helped ensure that they would receive a majority. The KAP got 56 seats in its run, and with their alliance with the Nat-Libs, obtained a majority in the Diet for their coalition. The conservatives still lost the election, but now they have forced the Nat-Libs to rely on their alliance more then ever. Perhaps with enough "convincing", the conservatives could get their wanted majority.
The conservatives though had some tough trouble in the national polls. The Unity and Honor party no longer had massive funding by Hajamoto Yoshihiro, and suffered in the polls. In almost all the regions, the UH obtained 0 seats. The UH was basically kicked out of the Diet, and was forced to contend with small gains in regional and local governments across Japan. The Loyalist Association pulled out their greatest victory in decades, becoming the lead faction of the conservative movement.
In Kyushu though, a radical movement was being born. The Radical Progress Party, a agrian "socialist" party was formed in Kyushu, the birthplace of many radical ideals over the past few decades. The RPP was expected to die out in Kyushu, but one supporter made sure they win big. Satake Yoshizane backed the RPP, and, with his family influence, made sure the RPP made strong ground in Kyushu. 83% of the seats in Kyushu were obtained by the socialists. This proved troubling to the conservatives and liberals. The RPP was now a force to rekon with.
All was fair this election. With the Nat-Lib-KAP coalition firmly in the majority, it was time to decide who would become Prime Minister. It was time for the PC to deliberate...
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Player Actions Needed: Privy Council, select a Prime Minister from the Player Character database. It can be anyone you want, but you will get a MIL increase if that person is not Somberg (leader of the coalition/majority), and a bigger MIL increase if that person is not a Nat-Lib (coalition leading party).
Sample Ballot:
((For Privy Council Only))
Prime Minister: [Insert Character's Name Here]
[Rank of Nobility]
You have till Tuesday at 9:00 PM EST or Wednesday at 1:00 AM GMT to cast your pick.