January 4296
Above: Chancellor Zhang is hoisted by supporters following his victory last June
What Does A Republican Government Mean For Indrala?
Story by Tan Dongsheng, 2 January 4296
TIAN'AN, Han — Mudanwan, June 21 4295. Fireworks are prepped, performers rehearse, and film crews stand ready for a party which never was. Two speeches are prepared, the first in case of victory, the second, for defeat. As the house lights rose inside the Mudanwan Convention and Exhibition Center, then-Chancellor Huang read out the second speech. Most polls predicted that this would be the case, though many still maintained hope for a surprise victory for "The Nation's Grandfather."
A few thousand kilometers south, the first speech was given by Huang's opponent, Zhang Zemin. As Zhang spoke at his outdoor election night rally, the mood among the crowd was electric. Hundreds of farmers had made the pilgrimage from their rural Shu villages to urban Hazhou, and watched with tears in their eyes as Zhang accepted the people's mandate: Zhang would become the next Chancellor of Indrala.
Back in Mudanwan, the grief of defeat was quickly replaced by fear for the future. The conference center, which was packed with intellectuals, students and union organizers quickly began to hypothesize what a Republican minority might mean for Indrala. The Republican Party has long been regarded as unpredictable, unstable and undisciplined, often buckling under the pressure of their angry populist base.
Despite this, Zhang's leadership is somewhat unique. While he maintains the Republican tradition of boisterous politics, he has already displayed a greater degree of collaboration during his years in opposition, particularly with his endorsement of Huang during the crucial 4290 election and his support for all government efforts in response to Typhoon Yutu.
Zhang's ability to work across the aisle will be essential for success in government. The current political climate is not one which is likely to permit a coalition: both the Lotus Party and the Republicans view themselves as the natural governing party, and both reject the NAP. Nonetheless, the last 15 years have seen success at stable minority governments. Indeed, both the Lotus Party and the Republicans have proved themselves to favour stability over political opportunity. The question for Zhang is whether or not he will be able to continue this emerging tradition.
If Zhang succeeds, his government will be the one which leads Indrala into 4300. As we approach a new century, many are worried about the economy. Under Huang's pragmatic economic approach, Indrala's economy is more diversified than ever. The Republicans, however, have had a lackluster record on the economy. While under the Republican/Nationalist Coalition of 4274 they eliminated corporate taxes, the party also nationalized the banking sector and raised luxury goods tax to 50%, both of which had dire consequences to the economy. Under Huang, taxes are at their lowest rate in recent memory, and the economy is experiencing a period of growth. It is yet to be seen whether or not Zhang can reject the irresponsible nature of Republican economic management or not, and continue to strengthen the bullish economy it inherited.
Zhang will also be forced into responding to world events. The Republican Party of the past has always maintained an insular focus, however with the Dalibor Crisis just north of Indrala, a Dankuk spiraling toward dictatorship as their royals reside in Indrala, as well as an increasingly militarized world, Zhang will not be able to watch from the sidelines. Following Huang Zitao's ambitious foreign policy agenda, it is expected that Indrala will be elected to the Security Council. How Chancellor Zhang handles world affairs will be yet another barometre of his success in office.
Despite the backing of the nation's largest and second largest unions, the General Labour Federation, and the National Educators' Association, as well as most partisan media organizations, the Lotus Party maintained third. Most corporations and caifu (wealthy and powerful family-owned) conglomerates supported the Republicans, whom would then come first. This may indicate a shift in the importance of our societal institutions. Especially given that the NAP, which were virtually cast out by established Indralan institutions were able to achieve second place. Indeed, it is to be expected that despite their second-place position, many will look to the Lotus Party as the true opposition.
Another thing to note would be the endorsement of the Sun Foundation, the Sun Group and Blood for the Banner! Magazine for the Lotus Party, highlighting a potential reemergence of the monarchist debate. Zhang Zemin's handling of this file will be important to watch.
In conclusion, as Zhang leads us into the 43rd century, many questions loom; will Indrala's minority government tradition last? Will the economy continue to grow and diversify, or crumble under Republican unpredictability? Most importantly, perhaps: will the Fourth Republic continue to stand?
