PR America gameplay thread

[S019]

This is the thread where campaigning will take place and also news and polling updates will occur (as a reminder these are the first news and polling updates), this is also where I will post the length of a specific turn, provide end of turn updates, and also state the current time that we are at in the game. This is not the place to sign up, that is the interest thread. Also please note that unlike America, parliamentary systems do not have 2 year+ campaign seasons, so we will be focused on governing for the meantime.

(GM's note: The coalition in the OP are only suggested and do not have to be followed)

November 6, 2018

The first election under the parliamentary system was a major success for the left bloc as retiring Prime Minister Paul Ryan's right bloc fell to 200 seats. The success of the left was largely accredited to the unpopularity of the Prime Minister's repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which had been suggested by former President Trump before the parliamentary amendment abolished his position. Opposition Leader Nancy Pelosi, widely expected to form the next government, ran on an opposition to the Prime Minister's repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Another unpopular part of the government's platform was the Prime Minister's attempt to reform Social Security, which he backed down from after his coalition partner, the Liberal Conservatives indicated that they would not support it. Seeing his numbers fall sharply, the Prime Minister announced he would not run for re-election. However, it is not all gloom for the right bloc, the ability for the Opposition Leader to form the next government rests on her continuing to receive support from the Blue Dogs. Blue Dog Leader Tom O'Halleran had categorically ruled out joining the right during the Ryan ministry, but has made no decision so far. The Democrats' other coalition partner, the Progressives, face a possible leadership challenge brewing, as many in the party feel that current leader, Hakeem Jeffries is not progressive enough, and would not be able to represent the party's interests as the likely next Deputy Prime Minister. Meanwhile as the right bloc seeks to go into opposition, Kevin McCarthy, the party's deputy leader is widely expected to be elevated as the party leader. As her party placed first, Mrs. Pelosi will have two weeks (1 turn) to form a government, if she fails, then Mr. McCarthy will be invited to form a government (1 turn), if they both fail, then snap elections shall be called.

Current polling:

Left Bloc: 53%
Democrats: 29%
Progressives: 16%
Blue Dogs: 8%

Right Bloc: 45%
Republicans: 22%
Conservatives: 18%
Liberal Conservatives: 5%

[S019]

GM Note: The position of President as we know it was abolished, however it was replaced by a ceremonial position of the same name and the incumbent, Donald Trump, chose to resign from the office, citing his desire to not be a nonpartisan elder statesman. Trump resigned shortly before the change to the government meaning that his Vice President Mike Pence would take on the ceremonial position. Pence agreed however he noted that he would not want seek the office again. The position is elected by the legislature and must have a majority of MPs in both the government and the opposition approve the position, Pence's pledge to not seek the office again was enough to get the opposition to sign on to it. Any action by the President can also be overridden by a majority of parliament

November 7, 2018

President Mike Pence invited Nancy Pelosi's Democrats to form government, despite the fact that they placed second in seat count. Mr. Pence cited the fact that the Democrats did place first in the popular vote and also noted how the opposition bloc had won a convincing majority with 53% of the vote going to the opposition bloc and also them holding a majority of seats. In the same announcement, Mr. Pence reiterated that he would not seek another term as President in 2020, he also stressed that the position should be nonpartisan, saying that "unlike in our old system, under the new system, the President should be a unifying figure who all Americans can get around." Mrs. Pelosi has until November 21 to form a government, shall she fail, Mr. McCarthy, the Republican leader will have until December 5 to form a government. Shall they both fail, Mr. Pence is constitutionally required to call a snap election.

Turn 1: November 7-21, 2018 (shall last until October 9, 2021)

[S019]

Turn 2 (shall last until October 16) (November 21-December 12)

GM Note: Turn 2 shall involve governing, the government shall bring bills to the floor and vote on them, and at the end of turn report, voters will report how they feel about the government. Bills are to be posted in the Washington thread and not in this thread.

Major headlines from Turn 1

Democrats Form Government: Mrs. Nancy Pelosi, who had been the Opposition Leader since the new form of government was implemented in 2017 had secured the votes of 235 members in the House of Representatives and officially became Prime Minister. Her Democratic Party entered into a coalition with the left-wing Progressive Party, as well as the moderate Blue Dog Party. The governing right bloc, now under the stewardship of Mr. Kevin McCarthy chose to go into opposition, with the Centrist Alliance, a new centrist party formed out of a parliamentary group of 5 representatives chose to abstain from voting on Mrs. Pelosi's speech. Mrs. Pelosi laid out a progressive vision in her speech, calling for a repeal of the tax cuts passed by then-Prime Minister Paul Ryan, as well as calling for gun control, LGBT protections, abortion rights, and electoral reform. Notably there had been no mention of plans to reverse Mr. Ryan's repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Jeffries Axed as Progressives Fall. Mr. Hakeem Jeffries, leader of the Progressive Party, lost the leadership to Ms. Katie Porter in a leadership spill. Ms. Porter, a freshman Representative from a conservative Southern California seat, defeated Mimi Walters, the Republican incumbent, in the 2018 election. Mr. Jeffries' defeat is largely attributed to his position on the right flank of the Progressive Party and many in the party did not believe that he would adequately represent the party in government. The party has taken a tumble in recent polling, following the aftermath of the leadership spill, with their vote total falling 3 points, from 16% to 13%. Mr. Jeffries refused to comment when asked if he would run again in his New York seat. Mr. Jeffries felt that the spill was unexpected and in his concession speech told the party that he wished "[he] had been given more time as your leader."

Latest polls:

Left Bloc: 52%
Democrats: 32%
Progressives: 13%
Blue Dogs: 7%

Right Bloc: 44%
Republicans: 22%
Conservatives: 18%
Liberal Conservatives: 4%

Centrist Alliance: 4%

[S019]

GM NOTE: Liberal Conservative Leadership Challenge Results will be included in Turn 3, since they were announced so close to the turn close.

Major Headlines From Turn 2

Landmark LGBT Equality Legislation Set to Pass: The government introduced its first piece of legislation and it was a landmark piece of LGBT legislation, with both the Liberal Republicans and the Blue Dogs coming out in favor it, and the Democrats and Progressives expected to vote for it. The legislation is largely expected to pass when the government moves for a vote. The legislation would apply provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to also apply to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The legislation is also very popular among Americans, with 70% of adults supporting it in a recent poll, including 50% support among those aligned with the parties in the right bloc.

California Ablaze in Wildfires: The 2018 fire season was the deadliest and most destructive in California history. Over $26 billion in damage and containment was recorded, as well as over 1 million acres burned. The bulk of this cost came from the Camp Fire in Butte County which cost over $16 billion in damages and burned over 150,000 acres, killing 85 people, making it the deadliest wildfire in California history. The fire destroyed much of the town of Paradise.

Government Shutdown Looms: The government has not begun a debate on a budget proposal, despite the current budget being scheduled to expire on December 22. The government is widely expected to pass a continuing resolution, while it works out the details of the budget process to avoid yet another government shutdown, in an era where Americans have grown far too used to them.

Latest polling:

Left Bloc: 54%

Democrats: 34%
Progressives: 13%
Blue Dogs: 7%

Right Bloc: 43%

Republicans: 21%
Conservatives: 17%
Liberal Conservatives: 5%

Centrist Alliance: 3%