Quote from: Miestră Schivă, UrN on January 30, 2021, 04:54:06 PMAs far as I can see, no one's mind has changed from the last time this question was offered to the nation, three years ago. The format of the question has changed and fewer votes were cast, but the answer remains the same: most Talossans prefer the monarchy in some form. I am glad of it. I believe this fact would be even more clear if the referendum were asked on a general ballot, rather than a midterm one, but time and time again we arrive at the same answer.Quote from: Sir Alexandreu Davinescu on January 30, 2021, 03:06:24 PM
In the most direct sense, the most preferred option once others were eliminated was option 1, of course, narrowly beating out the status quo by 34-32. But first preferences for a monarchy, either ceremonial or traditional, had a similar edge over first preferences for option 1!
... and a change from the status quo had a 2-to-1 majority over the status quo. ;D
Instead of trying to "spin" the numbers - something which the Leader of the Opposition has correctly identified as being a "sore loser" - Talossan monarchists would be well served to try to reach some kind of compromise with those who want an Elected Head of State.
I cannot claim to speak for any political group, but I will certainly observe any ideas offered by the Ziu with avid interest. I have seen some suggestions which amount to adoption of the form of government of the Republic, with a change only in extending the term of their elected president; I am not sure that I could consent to such a proposal, since helping to destroy the monarchy would seem to directly contravene my duty to steward the monarchy which has served our nation so well. I'd be especially hesitant to destroy the monarchy on the basis of a 51.5% majority!
I have also seen the suggestion to add an additional elected figure to the governmental structure to provide another check against the increasingly centralized power of the Government, which is of interest to me -- the "co-prince" mentioned in the referendum; this seems like an intriguing possibility, although the devil is very much in the details.
Ideally, this will only be the beginning of a discussion and in-depth conversation about possibilities for the future of our shared country.