7 Dec 2020, 09:39

In an Upset Victory, Tony Odhinazen Wins European Councilor Seat in Ruthund
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Zatoni at his campaign headquaters celebrating victory on Friday

News
16 November, 2020
Article by Jonnas Oswald

In an upset victory and a political defeat for Ruthund’s political establishment, Tony Odhinazen emerged as the winner in Friday's election. This comes after polling clearly showed Lauslydi as the favorite in Ruthund (+6 points ahead of Zatoni) and early exit polls showing a tight, but favorable result for the former Rif of North Hukon.

Elections were called in late October following former Councilor Helhuan’s resignation following her apparent objection to the Ruthenish government compelling her to push through a Neutrality motion in the European Council. “I had once believed that Gundyno was the faction that had moved on and started to see the reality that Ruthund needed to move past its history”, she said in an open letter. “But I was wrong.”

Though some in the Ruthenish government showed their disapproval of Helhuan’s conduct, branding it as “unprofessional”, her resignation largely received little backlash in Ruthund. Shortly after her resignation, three candidates emerged for the newly called EU Councilor election: Lauslydi Hrimustukur, former Rif of North Hukon and past power broker in Ruthund, Jomziha Luzrogizen , a hardline conservative voice in the Kangiflank, and Tony Odhinazen, perhaps well known in Europe for his environmental activism and known in Ruthund as among the NRP leadership in the Feinkusomnring.

This is in contrast from the last election cycle with Helhuan running unopposed to the EU Council with little turnout in July.

Lauslydi enjoyed support from the centrist voters in Ruthund that supported the government's economic policies, but felt alienated by Lord Zgeirtan’s anti-Eurofederalist rhetoric in recent months. However Lauslydi on the campaign stage distanced herself from a previous amicable EPA, criticizing the EPA for its lack of uniform support of Ruthenish Neutrality. “I honestly expected better from the EPA. I might have disagreed with our government’s decision to go through with [the Neutrality Motion], but this wasn’t a rocket science issue. It was clear that Ruthund was more than eligible to become a Neutral nation. And it shows me, unfortunately, a clear sign that the EPA lacks the leadership to do the right thing and govern fairly for all member states.”

Tony Odhinazen, meanwhile, enjoyed support from Ruthund’s growing left-wing movement. As well as being among the more eccentric politicians, along with Lord Zgeirtan and Speaker Luzrogi, Odhinazen’s unconventional personality has in this election inspired many politically disengaged people to come on out and support the self-described Democratic-Socialist. Zgeirtan pledged himself as an independent Councilor, as he has shown disapproval of all the Eurogroups in Europolis.

Trailing behind was Jomziha, Kangiflank insider and a Bunalander that finds a new Ruthund near alien. He enjoys support from much of the right-wing of the political electorate in Ruthund, especially those on the far right that feel that the establishment has a negative influence on Ruthund and the European Union. He has spoken favorably about Dragan Trympov and was a key supporter for his election as Primier Commissioner. Despite Trympov's success in Ruthund as few months ago, his anti-populist rhetoric may well have scared away voters towards a reluctant vote for Zatoni.

Tony Odhinazen's first day in Europolis will be Monday. He will be challenged with promoting a left-wing agenda in the EU Council while balancing his soft Eurosceptic rhetoric on the campaign trail. Seemingly at odds with his party during the EU Councilor Elections, Zatoni has called for the continued integration of the European Union to halt in favor of a more delegation to nations in Europe.

Following Helhuan's resignation and demostrations in Kazmurbirha, Lord Zgeirtan announced that the Riksroja will no longer compell a Councilor to speak on behalf of Ruthund without a "clear and present threat present to National Security exisiting."