Parliament Approves New National Flag3rd August 4287The new flag of the Republic of Tropica, approved last nightParliament approved a change to the Tropican national flag by a single vote overnight, despite serious controversy over whether the vote should go ahead. Following one of the longest recorded debates in the history of the national legislature, the Speaker announced that the result was 272-271 in favour of a the new flag. Primarily, the votes in favour were those of the two governing parties, the Labour Party and the People's Coalition, however the opposition of several backbenchers meant that the support of the radical National Workers Liberation Front was required.
Leader of the New Democratic Party, Timoteo Pule, has called the result "a disgrace to our history and heritage, which has been enabled by the support of communist militants and insurgents" and encouraged Labour representatives to overthrow their leader, Prime Minister Ula Jones. For her part, Jones has defended the decision. According to her, and to indigenous rights activists, the current flag represents the oppression and genocide of colonial regimes. In particular, the symbol of the sun has been linked to Luthorian colonisation and continues to incite protest from groups representing native Tropican peoples.
Among the general public, polling suggests that the population is split. Natpol, a market research company, state that 37% of people prefer the current flag while 35% prefer the new one however there appears to be a split between left and right, with Labour voters far more likely to support the change. Sensing a political opportunity, the Freedom Party of Tropica has already pledged to immediately return the flag to the traditional sun-based one if they are able to form a government in the future. With elections due in less than twelve months, this could prove a difficult issue for the Prime Minister navigate.
Meanwhile, the individual who designed the new flag, Salema Vailili, has explained her inspiration and symbolism to the Daily Dispatch, "the blue represents the ocean which surrounds our country and is vital to our society and economy while the black and yellow represent strength and justice. I choose to include the kangaroo in the bottom corner because I feel its a national symbol which can transcend ethnic, political or religious identity and promote some kind of unity. It's white on the flag to show how it's pure and peaceful, like our nation can be".