The New Century: A Parliament for The People

[Kingpoleon]

I agree. D66-VVD-GL-CDA seems like the most likely option, although I have to imagine Pechtold would be unacceptable to VVD. A compromise like Salina Belhaj, Vera Bergkamp, or Kees Verhoeven seems the most likely choice if VVD demands Pechtold not take the Prime Ministership.

[Kamala]

Chapter 1: Israel Update

Here are the results of the Israeli general election. High turnout decreases the relative power of the Ultraorthodox parties and the Joint List, while the formation of a new civic left-wing party (HaAihod, the Union)by former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz leads to the weakening of Labor to its weakest ever position (weaker than 2008, even). Netanyahu's inability to bring about peace and the increase of terrorist attacks in Jerusalem leads many centre and centre-right voters to shift to Yesh Atid and the pro-peace politics of Tzipi Livni's Hatnuah. The failure of the Zionist Union party to bring about major left-wing success led to Hatnuah abandoning Labor. With the inclusion of a Jewish Arab on the party list, Hatnuah also managed to steal some votes away from the Joint List, particularly pro-peace Arabs.

Kulanu, the party that instigated the election, did not see a major increase in its support. Instead, many centrist voters choose one of the four largest parties to throw their support behind.



Haphazardly, I am suggesting that a coalition of Yesh Atid, HaAihod, Hatnuah, Labor, and Meretz would be the most likely result. A possible grand coalition of the four largest parties might also happen. Possibly.


The results of the election have mirrored many of those around the world so far; just like in the USA and in the Netherlands, voters have shown themselves to be tired of centre-right and right-wing policies. The centre left continues to prosper.

Just a short update because I do not have much time due to exams!

[America Needs R'hllor]

Yay, Israeli elections!
Of course, this scenario (which to me is a desirable one, other than the ascension of Yair 'No Backbone' Lapid) would be nigh-impossible to achieve- I don't think Gantz is eligible to run, and Hatnuah is now a spent political force. Also, Labour kept Herzog
Still, since this is pretty much an alternative universe (maybe the cooldown period for generals didn't pass as a law), I like it! The first scenario you suggested could be likely, though with Netanyahu leading Likud, I don't see the second happening. He and Lapid are two bloated egos. If Netanyahu were to be replaced at the head of Likud, I could see that party joining an already existing government though.
I think that the likeliest scenario would be a YA-HaAihod-Hatnuah-Kulanu-Labour one, since Lapid wouldn't want to appear like he has a left wing ideology (or any ideology, really). Maybe if Meretz are pragmatic in this universe they could join for a bigger government, not dependant on just one party.
I tried to craft a scenario where Gantz leads a government, but that would require a weird mix between Haredi parties, left-wing politics and Kahlon. Not impossible, but not likely. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is probably blocked out of forming a government because of a very weak right and the rivalry with Kahlon. So Lapid, unfortunately, is almost certain to be the next PM, but he wouldn't be a terribly strong one, probably having to give out many ministries and with almost every party able to make demands. He'd probably strive to get a Netanyahu-less Likus in opposition, which would leave his left-wing partners unable to make threats lest they're replaced by a right wing party in government.
This is such a great scenario with so much analysis to do, though- well done!

[Kamala]

Just a reference going forward - would all of you prefer long chapters like Chapter 1.4 or shorter updates like Chapter 1.9? I'm fine with doing either, just realize that shorter ones means more frequent posts as opposed to longer ones.

[MAINEiac4434]

I would like more updates, even if they're shorter.

[Kingpoleon]

I would prefer longer updates.

[Kamala]

Chapter 1.11: The ABCs of Budgets

As the calendar was rapidly approaching April, it was time for the first Labor budget since the 2004 Moynihan budget. Nancy, of course, was still trying to whip votes in line, even though the budget was still unfinished.



I've beaten them, haven't I? Nancy thought with a smile on her face. Nothing gets past this PM, huh?

[MAINEiac4434]

Oh damn. Cecile Richards ain't gonna like that.

[Kamala]

Oh damn. Cecile Richards ain't gonna like that.

I mean, I guess it's the logical continuation of the Hyde Amendment.

[Kamala]

Chapter 1.12: A Little Rally in Richmond

Tim Kaine was an oddball in Virginia politics. Mayor of Richmond from 1998 to 2001, then elected as Lieutenant Governor from 2002 to 2006, then Governor from 2006 to 2010. Instead of going the next logical step, to serve in Parliament, he instead decided to go back to his old job- he was elected Mayor of Richmond in 2012, and was recently reelected. However, this time, he had his eyes set on something else.

At a church in Richmond, Kaine had plans to change his fate.



"Good morning everyone! Thank you for joining me on this blessed day. I'd like to begin by thanking the people here at St. John's Episcopal Church for allowing me to come here and speak.

What St. John's is famous for is for being the first church in Richmond. But it is also the site where one of this republic's founding fathers, Patrick Henry, gave his most famous speech of 'give me liberty or give me death!'

And today, I hope to be making a bit of history here as well. For the past two decades, you have known me as a trusty Mayor, Lieutenant Governor, Governor, and Mayor again. And although I have run under the banner of the Liberal Party, I do not believe that is accurate anymore. It is time for a new party to emerge, to fill the gap that cities like Richmond and communities around the South deserve; a party that emphasizes our shared values of empathy and social justice, constructed through the lens of Christian ethics. One that doesn't use religion as an excuse to hate and eliminate charitable works - instead, one that uses the government as a tool for eliminating poverty, and bringing light back to the faith and the family.

Thus, today, April 14th, 2017, marks an important date. Today is the date that the Christian Democratic Party of the United States is found. Let us all come together - whites, black, Hispanics, Catholics, Protestants, and everyone in between - and let us get rid of the societal ills plaguing our country. That includes both eliminating hate and eliminating poverty.

I thank you and hope you will join me today in building a better society for everyone. May God bless you and the United States of America!"


Tim Kaine's Christian Democrats were meant to bridge the gap between social conservatism and economic progressivism. He announced he would be standing in the next election to be the Representative from Tidewater. Kaine also hoped the Christian Democrats would be able to win districts in the Black Belt, as well as Hispanic-majority districts in southern Texas. Additionally, if the Christian Democrats were especially successful, he hoped they could even win districts held by the Conservatives in the South as well.

[GoTfan]

I'm just sitting here waiting for Bernie to launch the Social Democrats

[Kamala]

I'm just sitting here waiting for Bernie to launch the Social Democrats

Spoiler alert?

The American Revolutionary Front for the Advancement of the Worker's Struggle - acronym ought to be ARF or WS?

[GoTfan]

I'm just sitting here waiting for Bernie to launch the Social Democrats

Spoiler alert?

The American Revolutionary Front for the Advancement of the Worker's Struggle - acronym ought to be ARF or WS?

That sounds a little to Communistical for me.

[Kamala]

I'm just sitting here waiting for Bernie to launch the Social Democrats

Spoiler alert?

The American Revolutionary Front for the Advancement of the Worker's Struggle - acronym ought to be ARF or WS?

That sounds a little to Communistical for me.

Well, Labor is already ascribed to the Old Left ideology, so, logically, Sanders, being to the left of the party, would be more Trotskyist than in real life. That's just what I'm thinking.

[GoTfan]

I'm just sitting here waiting for Bernie to launch the Social Democrats

Spoiler alert?

The American Revolutionary Front for the Advancement of the Worker's Struggle - acronym ought to be ARF or WS?

That sounds a little to Communistical for me.

Well, Labor is already ascribed to the Old Left ideology, so, logically, Sanders, being to the left of the party, would be more Trotskyist than in real life. That's just what I'm thinking.

Socialist Workers' Party?

[MAINEiac4434]

No need to go overboard. Socialist Party.

[Kingpoleon]

I suggest "Progressive-Trotskyist Alliance".

[Kamala]

Chapter 1: France Update

Candidates are how they are in the OTL.

Harris Poll, conducted April 11-13, sample size of 904.
Emmanuel Macron - En Marche! - 22%
Marine le Pen - Front National - 22%
Jean-Luc Mélenchon - La France insoumise - 20%
François Fillion - Les Républicains - 18%
Benoît Hamon - Parti Socialiste - 7%
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan - Debut la France - 4%
Jean Lasalle - Résistons! - 2%
Nathalie Arthuad - Lutte Ouvrière - 1%
Phillipe Poutou - Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste - 0.5%
François Asselineau - Union Populaire Républicaine - 0.5%

Seeing this continual pathetic polling, Hamon knew it was time for a change in the race. Although the election was less than 10 days away, Hamon decided that it was more important for France to have a true leftist as president than to maintain his own pride.


On the warm afternoon of April 14th, Hamon greeted supporters at a rally in Rennes. He was ready to make his big announcement.

"Good afternoon everyone. We have been fighting a long and hard battle for the soul of the Parti Socialiste and for the soul of France. And we have been, we have been energetic, we have shown ourselves to be persistent.

But sometimes, even our best might just not be good enough. Sometimes there are forces acting against us, ones that do not want to see us succeed.

And unfortunately, this has been one of those times. The Parti socialiste is simply too tainted by the liberal politics of Hollande and Valls. We are no longer seen as the party of the left, and even we, the true leftists, cannot overcome that perception.

It is important that we do not let the light of liberty and equality die. It is important that someone who believes in our values takes up the mantle of President of the Republic.

It is why, with a heavy heart, I am announcing my intentions to drop out of this race. Although I will still appear on the ballot on the 23rd, it is important that you do not vote for me. It is important we help the man who has the best potential to continue our agenda for equality and socialism, Mr. Mélenchon. I am officially endorsing Mr. Mélenchon for the position of president, and I urge all of you will vote for him in the upcoming days.

Thank you for supporting me in this difficult campaign for the future of France, and I am sorry I failed you. But it is time to salvage this campaign to make the best of the possible future. I wish the best of luck to Jean-Luc, and may he help us defeat the right-wing's plans for a France none of us want.

Vive la France!"


Immediately following Hamon's announcement, a snap poll was conducted, including a short clip of Hamon's endorsement of Melenchon.

Emmanuel Macron - En Marche! - 24%
Jean-Luc Mélenchon - La France insoumise - 23%
Marine le Pen - Front National - 21%
François Fillion - Les Républicains - 19%
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan - Debut la France - 4%
Jean Lasalle - Résistons! - 2%
Benoît Hamon - Parti Socialiste - 2%
Phillipe Poutou - Nouveau Parti Anticapitaliste - 1%
Nathalie Arthuad - Lutte Ouvrière - 0.5%
François Asselineau - Union Populaire Républicaine - 0.5%

[Kamala]

Does anyone have any suggestion what should happen in the UK? Should May call for an election early?

[Kingpoleon]

Does anyone have any suggestion what should happen in the UK? Should May call for an election early?

I'll PM you an idea of mine.

[Kamala]

Chapter 1.13: Unfinished Business

First off, the 28th Parliament had its first by-election, in Wapsipinicon. Farmer-Populist representative Bruce Braley decided it was better for him to retire from politics and spend more time with his family, as his wife had gotten seriously ill. With little warning, he left Washington, presumably for the last time.

The by-election was considered to be a possible pick-up for the Conservatives and Labor, but as it was closer to being held, the Farmer-Populists were considered the favorites. The Liberal Party failed to nominate a candidate for the election. Labor nominated Cedar Rapids city councilwoman Monica Vernon, the Conservatives nominated businessman Rod Blum, and the Farmer-Populists nominated former Governor of Iowa, Tom Vilsack.

Vilsack's nomination brought some controversy, as he was not a resident of Wapsipinicon, but instead the Fox River constituency, directly to the south. However, his popularity in the state allowed him to gain a formidable lead. Additionally, both the Iowa Labor Party and the national party endorsed Vilsack, effectively abandoning Vernon.

The strong victory by Vilsack showed the relatively popularity of the Pelosi government and the Farmer-Populist Party's membership in it.


In Washington, Pelosi was itching to pass some domestic legislation. First on the agenda was the status of the Internet.



Zoe Lofgren, the Labor representative from Upper Silicon Valley, was spearheading an effort to reclassify the internet as a public utility, allowing municipalities and other governments to join into efforts to provide it to citizens at a reduced cost. Pelosi jumped on this opportunity and brought to the front of the voting agenda.

Quickly, the Public Internet Act was passed by the government on a straight vote of 221-215.

The next project was quite titanic. Although the government has already forayed into healthcare with EWIG, Pelosi knew that more universal healthcare reform was needed as well. The past ten years, under Liberal administrations, healthcare markets were liberalized further, and care quality definitely declined.

Working with the Health Minister Michelle Lujan Grisham, the Minister for Aging Joe Donnelley, Chancellor Nita Lowey, and Welfare Minister Carte Goodwin, Pelosi got to work.

Even though it hasn't even been finalized, the media began dubbing the healthcare reform plan by many nicknames - "Nancycare," "Lujealthcare," and "Pelosicare."

What was certain was that it was going to be difficult to balance the desires of the left wing of the party, such representatives as Bernie Sanders (Lab-Vermont) and Raul Grijalva (Lab-Saguaro), and the Liberal members of the government, such as Scott Brown (Lib- Cape Cod).

The foundation of the new plan was the introduction of the government into the healthcare market - the introduction of a public health insurance option. 

By May 15th, the bill finally had a name: The Affordable Care Act. But debate over the legislation would last through the summer and the rest of the year.


Meanwhile, in France, the first round of presidential election reached a conclusion:

Emmanuel Macron - 26.22%
Jean-Luc Mélenchon - 23.48%
Marine Le Pen - 23.39%
Francois Fillion - 18.56%
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan - 4.11%
Jean Lassalle - 2.13%
Francois Asselineau - 0.89%
Phillipe Poutou - 0.56%
Benoit Hamon - 0.35%
Nathalie Arthuad - 0.31%

The photo-finish between Melenchon and Le Pen for 2nd place was decided by the votes coming from the overseas districts of French expatriates and some of the outre-mer departments, leading to riots by Front National supporters in the north-east of France.

Polls for the second round show a dominant Macron victory, as nearly all Fillion voters shift to Macron, and few Le Pen voters actually decides to cast an affirmative ballot for Melenchon, choosing instead to submit a blank ballot or spoil one.

Mélenchon remained steady in his support for leftist economics; however, he did shift on the issue of foreign policy. The ascension of a centre-left government in the United States has allowed Melenchon to return to supporting the government and foreign policy of the United States. By backing away from Putin and Russia, Melenchon hoped to appeal to middle class voters who were undecided and expatriate voters, the ones who gave him the tiny lead over Le Pen.

[Kamala]

Chapter 1.14: The Courts

After extensive debate on the case, the Supreme Court issued a decision on Bevin v. Beshear. The court decided in favor of Governor Bevin, with the majority opinion issued by Justice Samuel Alito.

Majority: Samuel Alito, joined by
Anthony Kennedy
Clarence Thomas
William Pryor
Merrick Garland

Concurrence: Merrick Garland

Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, joined by
Michael Sandel, Chief Justice
John Roberts
Stephen Breyer

The majority opinion concluded that the federal government had no explicit right to build such hospitals without the consent of the states - however, going forward, the court ruled that state houses ought to pass legislation barring the construction of federal-owned hospitals, not just executive orders like Governor Bevin did. The construction of the EWIG hospital in Maysville shall resume unless the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives pass a legislation barring it.

This was seen a loss for the Pelosi government, although it did not stop the construction of the EWIG hospitals. In the short term, it stopped nothing, as the Kentucky House of Representatives refused to pass any such legislation. However, in the long term, it restricted the potential of future EWIG hospitals in more locations as an expansion of healthcare nationalization in less friendly states.

[Kamala]

Chapter 1.15: Fast Forward

New Year's Eve, 2017



At the annual Labor Party New Year's 2018 Gala , party members, donors, union leaders, and their families were dressed in their finest clothes, celebrating a truly superb year.  For the first time in more than a decade, the gala was held at the White House.

One of the most esteemed guests was John Dingell, a former Representative from Ann Arbor, who attended every Labor New Year's Gala since the Kefauver 1956 Gala in his own right as a Representative, and since the Roosevelt 1933 Gala as a guest of his father, starting at just age 6. He has attended all but two of the galas. Nancy offered him and his wife, current Representative Debbie Dingell, a glass of Champagne.



"Back when I was just starting out in Washington, Labor and Champagne were mutually exclusive!"

"Well, we've sure come a long way since Estes Kefauver, haven't we, John?"

"You definitely got that right, Nancy. To at least two more great years!"

More of the guests:


Rep Hillary Rodham (Little Rock) and her husband, Former Prime Minister Bill Clinton


Minister Jospeh P. Kennedy III (Walden Pond), his wife Lauren Kennedy, and civil rights activist Diane Nash


Justice Minister Barack Obama (Chicago Southwest) and wife Michelle Obama


Rep Carolyn Maloney (Queensboro) and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff


Rep Ted Lieu (Santa Monica) and his wife Betty Lieu

2017 was a good year for the left worldwide, but an especially great year for the Labor Party. Going into 2018, it was undoubtedly the largest and most popular party in the US, with many polls expecting them to gain at least two dozen seats, a strong accomplishment for an incumbent party.

EWIG hospitals were either nearly completed or already treating patients. A parental leave bill was passed. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was captured as ISIS forces were driven out of Raqqa and forced mostly into small bands, without any central leadership. He awaited trial in The Hague. Rojava became an official UN member, the effort spearheaded by the United States, forcing schools across the world to update their atlases.

Meanwhile, the Liberal party was unravelling - the two wings of Ros-Lehtinen and Scalise were tearing the party apart, a desperate Paul Ryan attempting to keep them together.

The first year of Labor government proved to be fruitful. Nancy was optimistic for the opportunities to come next year - cautiously, however, as indicators showed the economy to be slowing down.

Across the world, the following are election results.

French Presidential Election - May 7th
Emmanuel Macron - La Republique En Marche! - 63.32%
Jean-Luc Mélenchon - La France Insoumise - 36.68%

South Korean Presidential Election - May 9th
Moon Jae-in - Democratic - 46.03%
Ahn Cheol-soo - People's - 23.01%
Hong Jun-pyo - Saenuri - 19.43%
Sim Sang-jung - Justice - 7.88%
Yoo Seung-min - Bareun - 3.65%

UK General Election - June 8th

Labour - Jeremy Corbyn - 288 seats - 33.11%
Conservative - Theresa May (resigns after election) - 253 - 29.97%
Liberal Democrat - Tim Farron - 44 - 20.35%
UKIP - Paul Nutall - 0 (Clacton should be Labour on the map, oops!) - 5.05%
SNP has 42 seats post-election. Plaid Cymru picks up Ynys Mon for a total of 4 seats.

French Legislative Elections - June 18th

La Republique En Marche! - 382
Les Republicains - 87
La France Insoumise - 65
Union des démocrates et indépendants - 22
Mouvement Democrate - 12
Parti Socialiste - 5
Parti Communiste Francais - 2
Europe Écologie Les Verts - 1
Front National - 1

Macron appoints Alain Juppé as his Prime Minister after Juppé switches parties immediately before the second round of the presidential election.

(I'll add other elections when I can! Anyone know of a little machination that lets you plug in % and get seats out for German elections?)

[Kamala]

Chapter 1.16: New Year, New Parties
Image hosting websites are refusing to cooperate with me - sorry in advance for the visual blandness of this post!

While Labor was celebrating a new year of opportunities, the Liberal Party looked to be no more.

In a closed party congress held in Hartford, Connecticut, the members of the parliamentary Liberal party debated the party's future. The same cast as the leadership election one year ago debated once again - Paul Ryan for unity, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for a leftward shift, Steve Scalise for a rightward one. Yet, the Liberal Party, unlike in January of last year, did not seem satisfied with Paul Ryan's message. But the differences between the Ros-Lehtinen and the Scalise wings of the party seemed irreconcilable. On January 7th, 2018, the members of the party voluntarily chose to disband the Liberal Party of the United States. In the Parliament, they would all be considered to be independents,  but that didn't stop the members from organizing themselves into parties in advance for the 2019 election.

Ros-Lehtinen and the 27 other members of her caucus with the government formed the Civic Union, a socially liberal party that was economically centre-right. Five other members, those who voted for Ros-Lehtinen for party leader, also joined the party, as well as several members who didn't vote for her.

The Civic Union
Headquarters: Falls Church, VA
Leader: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (CU - Biscayne)
Deputy Leader: Kyrsten Sinema (CU - Maricopa)
Target demographic: Middle- and upper-class suburbanites and urbanites
Color: lavender

Scalise, and 41 of his original supporters, formed the Alignment, a more socially-conservative party that still embraced liberal economics.

The Alignment
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
Leader: Steve Scalise (Alg - Delta)
Deputy Leader : Jeff Fortenberry (Alg - Platte)
Target demographic : Generic conservatives - socially and economically. (Conservative Party is less economically conservative.)
Color: Aqua

Paul Ryan, who presided over the death of the Liberal party, was instinctively rejected by both of the new parties, and was forced to remain an independent.

Meanwhile, it wasn't all celebration and cheer over at Labor. Discontent was rising among the far left wing of the party, unhappy with the lack of progress the party has instituted and its alliance with former Liberal party members (who now constitute the Civic Union).

Bernie Sanders (Lab - Vermont) was at the forefront of this movement. He declared at the town of Burlington in Vermont, which he has been mayor of so many years ago.

"Last week's gala at the White House just proves how tone-deaf Nancy Pelosi and the Labor party  are. They drank champagne, ate their hors d'oeuvres, and celebrated all the supposed 'progress' they've made. Yet we Americans are sitting at home and wondering, 'What progress?' For the past year, Prime Minister Pelosi has wasted one opportunity after another to help the American people. We've seen barely an effort to bring about universal healthcare. She has allowed the entire party's platform and goals to be held hostage by the Liberal caucus governing with Labor. We have got to do better! She's let the corruption and influence of Wall Street and big business into the party. That is unacceptable. That is why I officially renounce my membership in the American Labor Party today. I also am founding a new party, one that will stand for progressive issues on both economic and social questions. I welcome all those who support such goals to the New Progressive and Socialist Workers' Party of the United States. Let us bring the American left roaring back to life."

New Progressive and Socialist Workers' Party
Headquarters: Ithaca, New York
Leader: Bernie Sanders (NPSW - Vermont)
Deputy Leader: Kshama Sawant (an NPSW, formerly Socialist Alternative, Seattle city councillor)
Target demographic: Far-left workers, students, and families
Color: Dark red/ Maroon.

Despite the scathing words Sanders had for the Labor party, it failed to make a large impact on the news cycle. First, it came at the wrong time - the media was much more concerned with the death of the Liberal Party and the birth of two new parties in its place. Second, the Labor party and its leadership was very popular - even more popular than they were during the election - and saw Sanders's defection as having minimal impact. Thus, Nancy Pelosi and surrogates brushed it off as insignificant, with the knowledge that if Sanders wanted to have a voice in policy, he would have to compromise with Labor and work with them.

[Kingpoleon]

Did John Wisniewski, Benjamin Jealous, Keith Ellison, Peter Welch, Pramila Jayapal, Peter DeFazio, Suzanne Bonamici, Robert Reich, Jeff Merkley, and Alan Grayson, or at least all of them who are in Parliament, also join Sanders in leaving? Or will they leave later?