The Free Democrats hope to win a majority of Cosa seats in this election to form a new government; on our own if possible, in alliance with other parties if necessary, on a platform reflecting our priorities of democratic accountability for the monarchy, and drastically cutting "red-and-green tape".
The Free Democrats will NOT go into coalition with our main opponents in this race, the Talossan National Congress. However, should the TNC win and lead the next Government, Free Democrats will be happy to serve the State as Permanent Secretaries or in other non-political roles under such a government.
There are two main reasons for this latter principle:
1. Talossa needs an Opposition. A "grand coalition" or "government of national unity" may be appropriate in times of dire national threat. But the current situation does not warrant that. It is better for the country - and indeed, better for the Government - that there be a strong Opposition in the Cosa, keeping the Government accountable and formulating alternatives to Government proposals. There was no effective opposition in the 56th Cosa - the TNC did absolutely nothing but vote no on the VoC - and that only increased the spiral of apathy and inactivity. The FreeDems, should we be the minority after this election, will be an active Opposition.
2. Issues of personnel. We have experience in trying to form a government with the TNC under its current Seneschal candidate. Not only did he renege on commitments he made before and after the election, he refused to explain any of his actions to his former partners in Government except through the medium of personal insults. We would have to see a heartfelt apology and a pattern of very different behaviour before revisiting this position (although frankly, we expect nothing but personal insults in response).
We would also note that the other main leadership figure of the TNC is the very person who has made the lives of many Free Democrats miserable over a period of a decade or more; someone who continually treats us with withering contempt, as incompetents, ideologues or actually criminally corrupt; and yet always seems surprised that we don't see him as a friend.
Speaking for myself, I should like to say that any Talossa citizen ought to participate in and make our Government as effective as possible, regardless of the Seneschalsqåb, because we care about Talossa. I pray that the FreeDems, the TNC, or any other party which may hold the Cosâ's confidence during the next term endeavor to cooperate with each other.
I do not mean to preclude fraud, bad faith, or dirty hands (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_hands) as good grounds of refusal, but any manner of gamesmanship can be beat by other means than preemptive accusations.
More plainly: politics is boring, leadership is sexy, and Talossa needs more of the latter than the former.
Even more plainly: This is not an attack or recalcitrant move against the FreeDem party. I am a citizen of Talossa, and it is reasonable to expect that the national leaders cooperate.
Quote from: Açafat del Val on March 18, 2022, 11:11:10 AMI am a citizen of Talossa, and it is reasonable to expect that the national leaders cooperate.
I cannot 'Like' things on this board, it seems, but I wish I could. Hear, hear.