Election 4784: Government Re-ElectedThe incumbent government of Vascania has won a second term under the leadership of conservative hardliner Kavita Mohite. Mohite based the election
campaign around cultural issues, such as questions around Ahmadis and their place in Vascania society. Her right-wing VRK party (Luthorian: National
Action) not only maintained its supremacy in the parliament, but increased its tally in both seats and votes at the expense of the left-wing LSS party
(Luthorian: Democratic Socialists). The vRK won 362 seats in a 799-seat legislature, leaving them 38 seats short of a majority and able to form a
coalition with one of the smaller parties.
Mohite's gambit to put social policy front and centre created a powerful connection to the nation's socially conservative majority, without upsetting
those with economically leftist ideas. The LSS attempted to focus on economic issues, suggesting to voters that they would go further than previous PM
Durga Upamash on issues like worker representation on boards and trade union powers. The party struggled to articulate a coherent position on
Ahmadism, as the party contains both Ahmadism-sceptial supporters in working class areas and very socially progressive younger supporters.
The progressive NPG (Luthorian: New Progressive Alliance) also failed to rally people to their cause. After nearly two decades of continued decline, the
NPG leaned more heavily into green politics and social democracy in a bid to gain ground on the LSS and ultimately become the nation's leading
left-of-centre party. The group had been supporting a Mohite-led coalition after agreeing a deal that would move Vascanian energy production to
nuclear power. However, the party's socially liberal membership revolted at the move towards anti-Ahmadi rhetoric and are now unlikely to be
supportive of the VRK. The populist SAM (Luthorian: Community Party) is likely to pick up the mantel as the VRK's coalition partner. Some
right-of-centre independents may also be involved in the government.
Vascania is a large and diverse nation, so the story of the election can be subdivided regionally:
North: Kalam Nadu, Avidangana, Rapa Pile & TannaragaThe north has been the historical heartland of the right-wing, though the vote share of the VRK remained mostly stable in the area. The NPG, meanwhile,
surpassed the LSS to become the main anti-Mohite challenger in the area. The city of Thikkonagama remained more socialist than the extremely socially
conservative far north, especially around the city of Sangora. The dockworking areas on the north-eastern coast also maintained a bit more of a red tint,
though environmental concerns remain important among the middle class of states like Avidangana and Tannaranga. This is also the region that includes
Rapa Pile, while yet again voted for the Liberal Party over the local VRK affiliate - referred to as the 'Moral Party'.
Centre: Bhaporistan, Zaqrandi Pradesh, Sanashtra, Utsal & SurasaOnce a heartland of the nation's left, the central states have consistently moved to the right at a pace that causes much distress for LSS leaders. The
socialists attempted to steady the ship by appealing to both social conservatives and social liberals with open-ended messaging on issues like mosque
construction and the wearing of Ahmadi religious garb by women, but their calls for local 'devolution' on the issue were met with scepticism and
opposition by both sides in the heated debate. The SAM and NPG grew slightly on the back of taking hard stances one way or the other on social issues in
the region that contains the most Ahmadis. The north has less than 4% Ahmadis, the south only 11%. The central regions have 22%, but still saw the VRK
increase their vote totals.
South: Khond, Hamal Pradesh, Rajuttistan, Paristan & RajavantThe south is increasing conservative.The VRK gained ground to become the majority party in terms of vote share and seats, while the LSS bled votes to
the NPG. Though urban voters remain quite left-wing in general, the rural areas continue to show disastrous trends for the left-of-centre parties. The
NPG fortified their position on the coasts, where environmental concerns have grown as an issue as oil production has rapidly increased over time. The
biggest moves towards the NPG occurred near the Khond and Great Vascanian Lake drilling sites, where the LSS vote collapsed. The LSS has not taken a
strong anti-oil stance as the NPG have, as the socialists maintain that the resource can be used to invest in public services.
Vascania News is the national public broadcaster and information outlet for the Vascanian Empire.