Demokratiese Volksbeweging Promises The Impossible February 26th, 5448With the results for the 5447 Saridan Volksraad election now officially confirmed, the Demokratiese Volksbeweging, under the leadership of Siya van der Merwe, has emerged as the clear victor. The Demokratiese Volksbeweging, a democratic socialist party, managed to achieve a historical victory, securing an almost unanimous vote from the electorate, only losing a tiny percentage of voters to small regional parties. This unanimity among voters resulted in the Demokratiese Volksbeweging winning an astonishing 135 seats in the Volksraad, giving them full control over the legislature. However, many have speculated that this overwhelming victory of the Demokratiese Volksbeweging was simply the result of the incredibly low voter turnout, which stood at a mere 15% of all eligible voters. These extremely low levels of voter participation show the widespread loss of faith in politics and the overall democratic process among the Saridanian population. Nevertheless, Siya van der Merwe, chairwoman of the Demokratiese Volksbeweging, reiterated her dedication to the people of Saridan and promised to resolve the underlying causes of this loss in faith.
The Demokratiese Volksbeweging stated that they view capitalism as the root of all evil and inequality, including the country's long history with Apartheid. They reaffirmed their intentions to transition to a socialist mode of production through gradual reforms, instead of with revolutionary means. They further clarified that this will be done by the implementation of a long series of reforms to combat the effects of capitalism and prepare the country's economy for socialism, whilst also not disrupting the Saridanian economy and its fundamental societal structures. Logically so, van der Merwe introduced the
Union Empowerment Act following the Volksbeweging's electoral landslide, which will greatly increase the power of unions and thus also notably increase the workers' control over the economy. The bill will also encourage the formation of Democratic Workers' Councils through several new subsidies and sizable tax exemptions. The Demokratiese Volksbeweging also revealed some of their future plans to stimulate the economy, for example by potentially nationalization of key sectors of the economy, including the agricultural sector.
Siya van der Merwe promised that she and the Demokratiese Volksbeweging will do everything in their power to solve the horrible issues that have been plaguing the Saridan population. She said that they will rid the country of capitalism for once and forever, thus simultaneously bringing about a more just and equal society. "Hope is not lost yet, we will not rest until every man, woman and animal in this country is free. No more oppression, inequality or discrimination." she declared during her victory speech in Koeistad, the capital of Saridan.