
Treaty of Tellum Ratification Resolution Passes National Congress after Intense Negotiations and Passing Stronger Electoral Reform for 2024
In a historic session held yesterday, both houses of the National Congress came together to pass two pivotal pieces of legislation, marking a significant milestone in the nation's political history. The Treaty of Telum Ratification Resolution and the Democracy & Stability Act were met with bipartisan support, signaling a renewed commitment to international cooperation and a more inclusive democratic process.
The Treaty of Telum, a landmark international agreement aimed at fostering peace, security, and cooperation among participating nations, has been under careful consideration by the National Congress for the past several months. After thorough deliberations and discussions, legislators reached a consensus, recognizing the mutual benefits of ratification. This monumental decision solidifies the nation's commitment to global stability and collaboration on key international issues, where the Commonwealth would be placing in a different political playing field where it would have a member of ECON in the north (Yosia) but Minister of Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini reassured members of the National Congress in both houses Foreign Affairs Committee in saying that the relations between Leagio and Yosia will not having any sudden deterioration in how the countries committed to trade and the Southern Europe Universal Rail that connects the two with Ethize and the Duxburian Union to transport freight and passengers. The treaty puts Leagio in a defensive alliance with Spain, Inquista, Duxburian Union, and North Diessen. The Treaty also provides benefits that involves Artabanos Canal, Suez Canal, and the Strait of Gibraltar which are waterways that Commonwealth trade depends upon for a majority of its overseas shipping.
Simultaneously, the passage of the Democracy and Stability Act marks a significant step towards modernizing the nation's electoral system. Inspired by successful models from around the world, the bill introduces a Proportional Representation (PR) District method for the House of Councilors, aligning with contemporary democratic practices where the size of the House of Councilors will be keep to a base number of 525. This reform addresses long-standing concerns regarding the fairness and accuracy of representation in the House of Councilors, creating a more inclusive political landscape. By adopting the PR District method, the National Congress aims to better reflect the diverse perspectives and interests of the nation's citizens, ultimately strengthening the democratic foundation of the country and allowing more connectivity with the people that the Councilors represent. The number will also take effect for representation to be provided to the Project Wayside community that will be renamed to Oko City and be represented in the National Congress as a state of the Commonwealth separated from the State of Arlick. The action comes as the referendum that took place named Project Wayside as Oko City with a majority wanting statehood, which the Arlick state government decide to make approval of and got the approval of the National Congress. Oko City will officially run as a state with its own elected government after the 2024 National Election. In the results census completed last year, the new coming State of Oko City will have 6 seats in the House of Councilors which will increase the total new starting number of the House of Councilors to 531 for the 2024 Election.
The Democracy and Stability Act also included many different provisions of the method of Proportional Representation and elections for positions in the European Union. One of the important regulations created were on political alliances, where the act established that parties in alliances can decide if they want to distribute seat separately from alliances during the calculations. The national vote threshold was kept at 2% for individual parties and 6% for alliances, which will be calculated with the D'Hondt Method. However, if a party that has 2% of the national vote does not receive a seat and is not in a alliance, then they will be qualified to receive subsides at the amount that is given to minority interest political parties until the next election unless they run into the same situation. In addition, the Leagio voter will be allowed to cast four different types of votes with minor differences. The First two relate to their first choice of party and person and then a second preference with the same types. The purpose of the second preference is if mainly the party that someone votes does not make the 2% threshold, which at that point will be redistributed to the voter’s second preference of both party and person. In addition, the act authorize funding grants to political parties and alliances that help elect independent affiliated candidates into the National Congress.
One of the key factors that led to the successful passage of the Electoral Reform Bill was a strategic political maneuver. Conservative members of Mouri-Kudo's party, recognizing the importance of the Treaty of Telum Ratification Resolution, entered into negotiations that resulted in a historic deal. As part of the agreement, they supported the electoral reform, paving the way for a more balanced representation in the House of Councilors. The successful passage of both the Treaty of Telum Ratification Resolution and the Electoral Reform Bill put into question the path of the Commonwealth and the stability of the Progressive Alliance Party as Mouri-Kudo had to make direct concessions to the conservative faction of her own party to achieve what she made as a campaign promise that she needed to fulfill before the Primary elections for both the office of President and Governor-General (which Mouri-Kudo’s party hopes to gain as it is a consider a vote in the Senate).
For matters relating to EU elections, the Democracy and Stability Act changes to where the the Foreign Affairs Commission is elected by the National Congress by Instant Run-off, the Premier Commissioner is elected by first-past-the-post in the order of placement, and the Internal Affairs Commissioner is elected in the order of placement as the Premier Commissioner.
Polls show that a majority of Leagioans approve of the Democracy and Stability Act and the passage of the Treaty of Tellum Ratification Resolution that was passed, but many criticize the hoops that had to be made by Mouri-Kudo in a political fight that should have to last for two whole months entirely since the presentation of the ratification bill back in the summer.