VVP Loses majority for first time in history Zuidervoort, New Verham
5th February 5489
For the first time since its existence the Vanukeaanse Volkspartij (VVP) has lost its absolute majority in the Legislative Council, facing its first every coalition negotiations since its formation. The party of newly elected leader Robbert-Jan Ensink won 67 seats, a loss of 10 compared to last election. Its majority was small following the last election, which saw third term incumbent first minister Jurre Bloemendal be elected to a last fourth term. With just a two seat majority Bloemendal, despite his experience, found it hard to maintain grip over a increasingly divided party. Mid-term, three of his lawmakers defected to Nationale Kracht following Bloemendal his refusal to call for a independence referendum. This left Bloemendal without a majority, forcing him to call an early election.
In this election, he stepped down as party leader, promising to stay on as first minister till a new government would be formed. Internal leadership elections saw the social democrat, Robbert-Jan Ensink, elected party leader during a fierce battle between the left, right and centre in the party. The internal struggles ensured that the candidate moved forward by Bloemendal, his own brother Sjang ten Bloemendal, lost against Ensink in a second round of voting with 62% to 39%. The subsequent election campaign was chaotic, as the VVP remained divided and visibly so, while oppossition parties smelled their chances and agressively campaigned against a century of VVP rule. When the end result was announced, it saw the VVP win its worst result since its founding and thus losing its absolute majority. The main oppossition Vanukeaanse-Verhamese Eeinheidspartij (VVEP) won 6 seats compared to the last election, ending up with 31 seats in total. Suprisingly the far-right Nationale Kracht was the big winner of the elections, winning 10 seats compared to the last election totalling 14 in total. While the VVP was hit hard, the national parties also lost a combined 10 seats to the local parties, clearly moving politics away from national politics.
The result will force Robbert-Jan Ensink to form a coalition government. The most obvious choice is the VVEP, which is a socially liberal political party advocating for greater ties with the national government and continuation of autonomy rather then independence. But it is still unclear whether Ensink seeks to continue the policy of coexistence or whether he seeks a independent line towards Baatrynsentii. Another option is forging a coalition with Vanukeaans Welzijn, a democratic socialist and metzist political party which is more pro-independence but less radical on this front then the Nationale Kracht. The NK seems to not be an option, with Ensink behind closed doors believing the party to be a danger to Vanukean autonomy if granted a seat in government. One thing is for sure, politics in the Republic have turned. Some would say for the better, but the VVP is likely licking its wounds and adapting to the new reality with grieve these coming years.
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