United Revolutionary Front: The URF started out as a Marxist guerilla movement. Ater falling out of favor with many other communist organizations worldwide, it formally renounced Marxism-Leninism and reestablished itself as a radical socialist movement, although still a guerilla movement. A few years later, it agreed to disarm and function only as a democratic political party. Since then it largely has. After it's disarming, it ran well in the areas of the country where it's support largely was, but then was accused of authoritarianism when it began to censor critical media outlets in the areas where it controled the provincial government and manipulate election results. Eventually the federal government began to monitor elections there with the military, and they were largely voted out. While they no longer run any areas, they do maintain a large support base in these areas, and around the country.
Social Democrats: Always the main center-left party, the Social Democrats have been around for almost a century except a brief two year stint where they were banned (explained later). They are comparable to the social democratic parties of most European countries, and the left wing of the US Democratic party. They tend to be to the left on social issues but largely unconcerned with them and have a small but sizable populist wing, as well as a religious left wing. The party has flirted with the far left and communist movements at times, but after these usually is dealt electoral defeats, in which it moves back to the center.
National Progress Union: The NPU's roots are in a military junta that took power 15 years ago. The ruling conservative government was racked by corruption scandals, and the left won the next election, allowing the Social Democrats, at the time under some of their farthest left leadership, to form a controversial coalition with the URF supported by the communists. 3 months later, a military coup deposed the government, and the Social Democrats, URF and Communist Party were all banned. For 2 years the country was ruled as a military regime, until popular protests, the junta agreed to hold new elections, but it announced that it would continue to serve as a collective Head of State, and would appoint the PM and entire government. They did however agree to legalize the Social Democrats and URF (Communists remained banned) and to resign if their political wing received less than 20% of the vote. The National Council for Progress as they were called received 22% of the vote (much of which was believed to be fraudulent). Despite this, they appointed the civilian PM and entire cabinet. After passing much controversial laws without the consent of Parliament, the entire opposition voted for a no-confidence vote, but the collective Head of State nullified it. In protest, they continued to pass no-confidence measures, all of which were nullified. After more popular protest and guerilla attacks by groups connected to the banned Communist Party, the junta allowed one no-confidence measure to pass. In the new elections, they received only 15% of the vote, and then agreed to resign. They then changed their name to the National Progress Union. The new Parliament legalized the Communist Party after they agreed to disarm, and indicted and tried many former junta leaders. Since then the party has tried to move away from its past, although a very good portion of the population are strongly opposed to them, and refuse to support any government supported by them in any way, keeping them out of any ruling coalitions. The ideology is unclear, but vaguely populist, while radically anti-Communist they support a generous welfare state, strong military, interventionist foreign policy and were the only party to vote against ending conscription. They claim to be largely neutral on social issues, but almost all their MPs voted against the liberalization of abortion laws, and legalization of gay civil unions. Research shows that much of the poor working class finds their policies appealing, but refuse to vote for them due to their history.
Communist Party - The Communist Party has largely reformed down a more "Eurocommunist" path. Their platform still calls for nationalization of all industry however, but they remain committed to the democratic process, and completely renounced violence at the end of military rule. Splinter factions continue to function as a minor insurgency throughout the country, the largest and most notable being the Revolutionary Red Faction, but the democratic Communist Party condemns them. They have considered merging or an alliance with the URF, but minor issues have prevented this. Despite their reformation, large parts of the country find them abhorrent and they poll miserably here, including some areas strong for the Social Democrats. They do well only in traditionally communist strongholds, which also include some fairly conservative areas. They are larger than the Social Democrats and URF combined in 3 provinces.
Greens - Like the Canadian Greens, they have moved down a more economically liberal path. Their new platform calls for free markets and lax government regulation and low taxes. However they remain the most socially liberal party, and are known for a strong committment to democracy and human rights. They are effectively a liberal party in the European sense. Despite this, they do remain "green" in an environmental sense, and are largely supportive of environmental protection legislation, despite opposing government intervention elsewhere.
League of Christian Families - A party formed as the political wing of a grouping of Christian fundamentalist movements, the LCF are the most radically socially conservative party. They oppose abortion under all circumstances, support criminilizaton of homosexuality, and bans on pornography and prostitution. They tend to be centrist economically, but seem opposed to public education.
Center Union - an unabashedly centrist party, they have announced they are willing to enter into coalition with any parties besides the communists, URF and NPU. They tend to simply take whatever position is the median, leading to be attacked as spineless appeasers. Despite this, they have a strong support base.
National Democrats - The main conservative party, and the largest party in the country. They were once many smaller parties, but all have merged. They are for free markets, low taxes and regulation, and also traditional values, although nowhere near as radical as the LCF. They have entered into coalitions with the LCF in some provincial governments, but only the most socially conservative ones. They support tightening the abortion laws but generally have agreed to allow abortion under some cases, and no longer oppose the civil unions law.
And this country uses a mix of PR and single seats constituencies elected under IRV for the system. So vote PR above, and the IRV vote for the single seat here:
http://demochoice.org/dcballot.php?poll=HEA
Poll
