Antonio the Sixth
Antonio V
Atlas Institution
Posts: 57,964
Political Matrix E: -7.87, S: -3.83
|
|
« Reply #51 on: June 03, 2014, 07:39:22 AM » |
|
After five rocky but mildly successful years in power, President Shua runs for reelection in 2022. He is faced by a newly energized UMP on the right (thanks in part to the FN's utter collapse during his term), and by three different candidates on the left. Despite being heavily contested after his first round defeat in 2017, Nathan managed to preserve his grip on the PS apparatus and once again ran under its banner. However, his candidacy once again draws opposition from other left-wing parties, though these times criticism focuses on some of Nathan's left-wing stances. From the traditionally minor PRG, NA member Miles mounts a centrist challenge to Nathan, emphasizing his moderate-to-conservative views on social issues. On the other side, EELV nominates Scott, a "Catho de gauche" who embraces social progressivism but pragmatic economic policies. In order to avoid another 2017-like situation, FG instead chooses to endorse Nathan
Shua (UDI-MoDem, incumbent): 28.3% Nathan (PS-FG): 25.5% Maxwell (UMP): 20.4% Scott (EELV): 15.1% Miles (PRG): 10.7%
This time, no major upset occurs and the two frontrunners proceed to the runoff. Both Shua and Nathan improve on their 2017 performances, as does the UMP candidate, benefitting from the FN's demise. Meanwhile, the other two left-wing candidates perform fairly decently but fail to break through, prevailing only in their strongholds. Although finishing last, Miles' performance (explained by his folksy campaign and personality) is still notable fro a party that rarely breaks 2%.
For the runoff, Miles and Scott endorse Nathan (the former somewhat reluctantly) and Maxwell endorses Shua.
Shua: 50.3% Nathan: 49.7%
By the narrowest margin in the country's history, the French voters reelected Shua - despite having given a majority to left-wing candidates in the first round. Many Miles voters are thought to have defected to Shua, whose moderate policies attracted many center-leftists. Although the economy is still experiencing some difficulties, Shua managed to avoid reaching the levels of unpopularity of his two predecessors and forge a winning coalition throughout the country. Although Nathan does extremely well in the distressed industrial North and in the traditional left's strongholds, Shua manages to keep the Paris area sufficiently close to prevail, thanks to his commanding margins in the moderate West and in the right's traditional eastern strongholds.
|