by Reximus » Sat Sep 14, 2019 7:36 am
Lichtenfels Resigns as Leader of Die Mitte, Leadership Elections Follow
Future of Government Lies In the Hands of Die Mitte Voters
May 4634
HALDOR, KORDUSIA- Following the March 4634 elections, the inaugural leader of Die Mitte, Klara Lichtenfels, announced her resignation from the top post in the party. Lichtenfels, who had begun her high-level political career when serving as an ambitious Finance Minister under Stephen Mandel, announced that "I've been in the public spotlight for far longer than I'd care to admit. I love Die Mitte, just as I loved Solidarität, and appreciate having had the opportunity to serve both movements as their leader. But the health of my husband is beginning to deteriorate, and it is certainly time for fresh leadership - despite our resounding success at the latest poll."
As Licthenfels indicated, DM surged to third place in the 4634 elections winning 99 out of 611 seats. However, the elections seemed to signal a victory for the right-wing of Dorvish politics, with DVP winning the position of Federal President/Speaker and coming in second for total seats. Notably, the KP fell below DM - so a left-wing coalition looked unlikely despite SPD winning the plurality of seats.
The election to replace Klara Lichtenfels had two major contenders: Egon Hansen (formerly of SLL) and Manfred Werstein (formerly of Sol). Hansen had served as Environment and Tourism Minister in the Mandel Cabinet and Food and Agriculture Minister in the Fassling Cabinet. Werstein also served in the Mandel and Fassling Cabinets, both times as Health and Social Services Minister. The major question was whether or not to agree to a (centre-)right-wing cabinet (which Hansen supported) or to support calls for new elections (which Werstein backed).
With Lichtenfels refusing to endorse Werstein (despite both coming from the social democratic tradition of centre-left politics) and Hansen picking up a major ally in former SLL leader and popular DM party grandee Helmut Parker, Egon Hansen was elected leader of Die Mitte by a share of 61% compared to Werstein's 39%.
"It is a great honor to succeed Klara," said Hansen to the press upon his election victory. "We all owe her a debt of gratitude for orchestrating the integration of SLL and Solidarität, and for continuing the work that had been laid out by Stephen Mandel and Helmut Parker. I intend to lead with these great figures in mind, and continue to seek their counsel. But first, I would like to announce that I am supporting the DVP-NA-DM coalition that has been brought forward."
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