2020 Scalizagastian federal election: Difference between revisions

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{{WIP}}
{{Infobox election
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2020 Scalizagastian federal election
| election_name = 2020 Scalizagastian federal election
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| previous_election = 2016 Scalizagastian federal election
| previous_election = 2016 Scalizagastian federal election
| previous_year = 2016
| previous_year = 2016
| election_date = August 22, 2020
| election_date = 14 August 2020
| next_election = <!--44th Canadian federal election-->
| next_election = <!--44th Canadian federal election-->
| next_year = <!--''44th''-->
| next_year = <!--''44th''-->
| seats_for_election = All 516 seats in the [[Parliament of Scalizagasti]]
| seats_for_election = All 516 seats in the [[Parliament of Scalizagasti]]
| majority_seats = 260
| majority_seats = 259
| opinion_polls = <!--Opinion polling for the 2019 Canadian federal election-->
| opinion_polls = <!--Opinion polling for the 2019 Canadian federal election-->
| turnout = <!--{{nowrap|67.0%<ref name="turnout">{{Cite news |url=https://www.elections.ca/res/rep/off/ovr2019app/51/table3E.html |title=Forty-Third General Election 2019: Official Voting Results |date=October 22, 2019 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |publisher=[[Elections Canada]]}}</ref> ({{decrease}}1.3[[Percentage Point|pp]])}}-->
| turnout = <!--{{nowrap|67.0%<ref name="turnout">{{Cite news |url=https://www.elections.ca/res/rep/off/ovr2019app/51/table3E.html |title=Forty-Third General Election 2019: Official Voting Results |date=October 22, 2019 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |publisher=[[Elections Canada]]}}</ref> ({{decrease}}1.3[[Percentage Point|pp]])}}-->
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| elected_mps = <!--List of House members of the 43rd Parliament of Canada-->
| elected_mps = <!--List of House members of the 43rd Parliament of Canada-->


<!-- SDP  -->| image1 =  
<!-- SDP  -->| image1 = File:Pernille Skipper (cropped).jpg
| image1_size = 170x170px
| image1_size = 170x170px
| colour1 =  
| colour1 = fe4401
| leader1 = [[Sarah Millard]]
| leader1 = [[Sarah Millard]]
| party1 = Social Democratic Party
| party1 = [[Social Democratic Party of Scalizagasti|Social Democratic Party]]
| leader_since1 =  
| leader_since1 = 26 January 2015
| leaders_seat1 =  
| leaders_seat1 = Bewundal East
| last_election1 = 154 seats, 26.5%
| last_election1 = 152 seats, 26.6%
| seats_before1 = 154
| seats_before1 = 152
| seats1 = '''231'''
| seats1 = '''255'''
| seat_change1 = {{increase}}77<!-- Please see talk page before changing this number -->
| seat_change1 = {{increase}}103
| popular_vote1 =  
| popular_vote1 =  
| percentage1 = 42.1%
| percentage1 = '''44.7%'''
| swing1 = {{increase}}15.6[[Percentage point|pp]]
| swing1 = {{increase}}18.1{{wp|Percentage point|pp}}


<!-- RRP -->| image2 =  
<!-- RRP -->| image2 = Paul Martin.jpg
| image2_size = 170x170px
| image2_size = 170x170px
| colour2 =  
| colour2 = bf2101
| leader2 = Michel Garon
| leader2 = [[Martel Garon]]
| leader_since2 =  
| leader_since2 = 21 December 2015
| leaders_seat2 =  
| leaders_seat2 = Maldati
| party2 = Revolutionary Republican Party
| party2 = [[Revolutionary Republican Party]]
| last_election2 = 160 seats, 28.0%
| last_election2 = 156 seats, 27.4%
| seats_before2 = 160
| seats_before2 = 156
| seats2 = 111
| seats2 = 85
| seat_change2 = {{decrease}}49
| seat_change2 = {{decrease}}71
| popular_vote2 =  
| popular_vote2 =  
| percentage2 = 19.8%
| percentage2 = 16.1%
| swing2 = {{decrease}}8.2[[Percentage point|pp]]
| swing2 = {{decrease}}11.3{{wp|Percentage point|pp}}


<!-- GRN -->| image3 =  
<!-- GRN -->| image3 = File:Marko-Bela1.jpg
| image3_size = 170x170px
| image3_size = 170x170px
| colour3 = #3D9B35
| colour3 = 3D9B35
| leader3 = Thomas Smith
| leader3 = [[Thomas Smith]]
| leaders_seat3 =  
| leaders_seat3 = Torlu North
| leader_since3 =  
| leader_since3 = 3 November 2007
| party3 = Green Party of Scalizagasti
| party3 = [[Green Party of Scalizagasti|Green Party]]
| last_election3 = 83 seats, 14.0%
| last_election3 = 83 seats, 13.8%
| seats_before3 = 83
| seats_before3 = 83
| seats3 = 60
| seats3 = 53
| seat_change3 = {{decrease}}23
| seat_change3 = {{decrease}}30
| popular_vote3 = 1,387,030
| popular_vote3 =  
| percentage3 = 10.1
| percentage3 = 9.3%
| swing3 = {{decrease}}3.9[[Percentage point|pp]]
| swing3 = {{decrease}}4.5{{wp|Percentage point|pp}}


<!-- NSP -->| image4 =  
<!-- NSP -->| image4 = Jan Szyszko.JPG
| image4_size = 170x170px
| image4_size = 170x170px
| colour4 = #094174
| colour4 = 094174
| leader4 = Les Erlosto
| leader4 = [[Les Erlosto]]
| leaders_seat4 =  
| leaders_seat4 = Jurein North
| leader_since4 =  
| leader_since4 = 16 September 2018
| party4 = New Scalizagasti Party
| party4 = [[New Scalizagasti Party]]
| last_election4 = 54 seats, 9.3%
| last_election4 = 50 seats, 9.2%
| seats_before4 = 54
| seats_before4 = 50
| seats4 = 60
| seats4 = 53
| seat_change4 = {{increase}}6
| seat_change4 = {{increase}}3
| popular_vote4 =  
| popular_vote4 =  
| percentage4 = 9.0%
| percentage4 = 9.1%
| swing4 = {{decrease}}0.3[[Percentage point|pp]]
| swing4 = {{decrease}}0.1{{wp|Percentage point|pp}}


<!-- LCA -->| image5 =  
<!-- LCA -->| image5 = Tany Yao MLA.JPG
| image5_size = 170x170px
| image5_size = 170x170px
| colour5 = #f1c232
| colour5 = f1c232
| leader5 = Moe Trellos
| leader5 = [[Moe Trellos]]
| leader_since5 =  
| leader_since5 = 8 August 2017
| leaders_seat5 = Masfassen Suburbs
| leaders_seat5 = Islander Group<!--{{efn|Not an incumbent, but stood in this electorate and won.}}-->
| party5 = Liberal-Conservative Alliance
| party5 = [[Liberal-Conservative Alliance]]
| last_election5 = 21 seat, 5.3%
| last_election5 = 25 seats, 6.0%
| seats_before5 = 21
| seats_before5 = 25
| seats5 = 19
| seats5 = 26
| seat_change5 = {{decrease}}2
| seat_change5 = {{increase}}1
| popular_vote5 =  
| popular_vote5 =  
| percentage5 = 4.7%
| percentage5 = 5.4%
| swing5 = {{decrease}}0.6[[Percentage point|pp]]
| swing5 = {{decrease}}0.6{{wp|Percentage point|pp}}
 
<!-- LAB -->| image7 = Margot_Wallström_in_Sept_1,_2014.jpg
| image7_size = 170x170px
| colour7 = e80075
| leader7 = [[Ester Nortust]]
| leader_since7 = 1 June 2010
| leaders_seat7 = Blicamy<!--[[Beauce (electoral district)|Beauce]]<br>''(lost re-election)''-->
| party7 = [[Labour and Socialist Party]]
| last_election7 = 18 seats, 4.0%
| seats_before7 = 18
| seats7 = 10
| seat_change7 = {{decrease}}8
| popular_vote7 =
| percentage7 = 2.9%
| swing7 = {{decrease}}1.1{{wp|Percentage point|pp}}


<!-- LAB -->| image6 =  
<!-- PDM -->| image6 = Makis Voridis (Greece) - July 2016 (cropped).jpg
| image6_size = 170x170px
| image6_size = 170x170px
| colour6 = #e80075
| colour6 = 000000
| leader6 = Ester Nortust
| leader6 = [[Steve Pertillo]]
| leader_since6 =  
| leader_since6 = 18 March 2010
| leaders_seat6 = <!--[[Beauce (electoral district)|Beauce]]<br>''(lost re-election)''-->
| leaders_seat6 = Palgaroca <!--<br>''(lost re-election)''-->
| party6 = Labour and Socialist Party
| party6 = [[Patriotic Defense Movement]]
| last_election6 = 20, 4.2%
| last_election6 = 13 seats, 3.5%
| seats_before6 = 20
| seats_before6 = 13
| seats6 = 17
| seats6 = 14
| seat_change6 = {{decrease}}3
| seat_change6 = {{increase}}1<!--{{steady}}0-->
| popular_vote6 =  
| popular_vote6 =  
| percentage6 = 3.3%
| percentage6 = 4.0%
| swing6 = {{decrease}}0.9[[Percentage point|pp]]
| swing6 = {{increase}}0.5{{wp|Percentage point|pp}}
 
<!-- PDM -->| image7 =
| image7_size = 170x170px
| colour7 = #000000
| leader7 = Steve Pertillo
| leader_since7 =
| leaders_seat7 =
| party7 = Patriotic Defense Movement
| last_election7 = 14, 3.6%
| seats_before7 = 14
| seats7 = 14
| seat_change7 = 0
| popular_vote7 =
| percentage7 = 3.5%
| swing7 = {{decrease}}0.1[[Percentage point|pp]]


<!-- PPP -->| image8 =  
<!-- PPP -->| image8 = File:Albert_Rivera_2015.jpg
| image8_size = 170x170px
| image8_size = 170x170px
| colour8 = #327215
| colour8 = 327215
| leader8 = Guy Manderson
| leader8 = [[Jay L. Larney]]
| leader_since8 =  
| leader_since8 = 6 July 2017
| leaders_seat8 =  
| leaders_seat8 = Keewatin<!--br>''(defeated)''-->
| party8 = Progressive People's Party
| party8 = [[Progressive People's Party]]
| last_election8 = 6, 2.3%
| last_election8 = 5 seats, 2.0%
| seats_before8 = 6
| seats_before8 = 5
| seats8 = 8
| seats8 = 6
| seat_change8 = {{increase}}2
| seat_change8 = {{increase}}1
| popular_vote8 =  
| popular_vote8 =  
| percentage8 = 2.4%
| percentage8 = 2.0%
| swing8 = {{increase}}0.1[[Percentage point|pp]]
| swing8 = {{steady}}0{{wp|Percentage point|pp}}


<!-- ADP -->| image9 =  
<!-- ADP -->| image9 = Markus_Söder_MSC_2019_(cropped).jpg
| image9_size = 170x170px
| image9_size = 170x170px
| colour9 = #20124d
| colour9 = 20124d
| leader9 = Curtis Soeder
| leader9 = [[Curtis Soeder]]
| leader_since9 =  
| leader_since9 = 19 January 2008
| leaders_seat9 =  
| leaders_seat9 = Urqilat—Badger
| party9 = Aulden Democratic Party
| party9 = [[Aulden Democratic Party]]
| last_election9 = 3, 2.1%
| last_election9 = 3 seats, 2.0%
| seats_before9 = 3
| seats_before9 = 3
| seats9 = 5
| seats9 = 5
| seat_change9 = {{increase}}2
| seat_change9 = {{increase}}2
| popular_vote9 =  
| popular_vote9 =  
| percentage9 = 1.8%
| percentage9 = 1.9%
| swing9 = {{decrease}}0.3[[Percentage point|pp]]
| swing9 = {{decrease}}0.1{{wp|Percentage point|pp}}


<!-- SON | image10 =  
<!-- SON | image10 =  
Line 187: Line 184:
}}
}}


The '''2020 Scalizagastian federal election''' was held on August 22, 2020, to elect 516 members of the Parliament of Scalizagasti. [[Scalizagasti]] was led into the election by Prime Minister Sarah Millard, whose SDP led a coalition government with the Greens, LSP, and PPP.
The '''2020 Scalizagastian federal election''' was held on August 14, 2020, to elect 516 members of the Parliament of Scalizagasti. Prior to the election, the [[Social Democratic Party of Scalizagasti|Social Democratic Party]] (SDP), led by [[Prime Minister of Scalizagasti|Prime Minister]] [[Sarah Millard]], governed [[Scalizagasti]] in a coalition with the [[Green Party of Scalizagasti|Greens]], Labour and Socialist Party (LSP), Palyrian Left (PL), and the Progressive People's Party (PPP). It was the second election for Millard as SDP leader and first election as the incumbent Prime Minister.
 
With 44.7% of the popular vote and 255 seats, the SDP won the largest parliamentary victory in its history, and was nearly able to form a historic majority government. Up 103 seats from 2016, Prime Minister Millard formed government with the Greens, no longer needing the three minor parties as they did previously. The large gains by the SDP mostly came at the expense of the [[Revolutionary Republican Party]] (RRP) and Greens, dropping by 11 and 4 points of support respectively. The RRP fell to second place with 85 seats and the Greens remained third with 53 seats. They were tied for third with the New Scalizagasti Party who also won 53 seats. Marginal regional gains allowed the Aulden Democratic Party (ADP), Liberal-Conservative Alliance (LCA), and New Scalizagasti Party to pick up additional seats despite losing support nationwide. All thirteen parties which had a presence after the 2016 election returned to Parliament. However, United North and Holispet First were both nearly wiped out. The Reform Party, which lost all its seats in 2016 after the departure of former leader [[Bole Yallusi]], failed to re-enter Parliament.
 
==Background==
Following the [[2016 Scalizagastian federal election|2016 federal election]], the SDP managed to form a governing coalition with the Greens, LSP, PL, and PPP, despite only winning 152 seats to the RRP's 156. The 2016 election gave the left-wing parties (SDP, Greens, PL, and LSP) a large enough seat share to govern with support from the agrarian centrist Progressives. As the largest party, the RRP was given the first opportunity to negotiate a coalition, but the SDP-Green-LSP-PL-PPP coalition presented their agreement in the middle of coalition talks, forcing the President to recall Parliament before the RRP had finished their negotiations.
 
The 2016 election also led to the collapse of Scalizagasti's right-wing parties. The New Scalizagasti Party (NSP), Liberal-Conservative Alliance (LCA), and Patriotic Defense Movement (PDM) all suffered severe defeats from earlier elections, where they managed to consistently form government for over a decade. Anger over austerity measures enacted by the conservative government led to success for the centrist RRP, centre-left SDP, and left-wing Greens.
 
The NSP, LCA, and PPP were the only parties to switch leaders between the elections. Radio host [[Jay L. Larney]] was acclaimed as leader of the PPP on July 6, 2017. [[Moe Trellos]], a former [[Garor City]] councillor, was elected as leader of the LCA on August 8, 2017. [[Les Erlosto]], MP for Jurein North, was elected as leader of the NSP on September 16, 2018.
 
During the 2020 CAVID-19 outbreak in [[The Great Experiment]], the SDP's quick and effective response boosted their popularity, eventually skyrocketing them to over 50% support. At her peak, Prime Minister Millard enjoyed a net personal popularity rate of +58 points. Ultimately, the {{wp|rally 'round the flag effect}} created by the CAVID-19 pandemic response allowed the SDP to gain immense support during the election.
 
==Electoral System==
The 516 members of Parliament are elected by {{wp|open list|open}} {{wp|party-list proportional representation}} in {{wp|constituency|multi-member constituencies}}. Seats are allocated using a {{wp|Droop quota}} for the {{wp|largest remainder method}}, with a 3% threshold for parties and a 1.5% threshold for independents.
 
474 seats are elected in 42 geographical electoral districts, ranging anywhere from 5 to 18 seats per electorate. The other 42 seats are elected through a national list, where each of Scalizagasti's six recognized ethnic groups (officially documented in the census) vote for 6 seats each, alongside a seventh list for "other" ethnicites and expats (including expats of Scalizagasti's six recognized groups). If a party wins 259 or more seats, they can govern without forming any coalition. However, this is incredibly uncommon due to Scalizagasti's proportional electoral system.
 
===Changes from 2016===
 
As part of the coalition demands by the Green Party, numerous reforms were undertaken in preparation for the 2020 election. Most notably, the voting age was lowered from 18 to 16 years of age. Permanent residents were also given the right to vote, given that they lived in Scalizagasti for at least five years. Minor parties (those with 16 or fewer seats in Parliament) and any extraparliamentary party which earned at least 2% of the vote were allocated 1 hour of free advertising on Scalizagasti National Media Corporation. Previously, only major parties were granted free advertising space equalling 3 hours each.
 
==Election Date==
The date of the election, 14 August 2020, was set by President [[Paul Kruig]] following the dissolution of Parliament.
 
Unless an early election is called by the government or no government can be formed following the failure of a confidence vote, a general election is held every four years. The last election was held on 12 August 2016. According to the 2000 Election Law, unless an early election is called, the general election must be held on the second Friday of August, four years after the last election year.
 
Polls close in electorates at 8:00 PM local time, and results are usually released a few hours later. However, recounts and other unexpected issues have previously caused vote count delays for up to 24 hours.
 
==Campaign==
 
===Political Parties===
 
In total, 27 parties stood in the election. However, only 13 won seats in Parliament. The vote share of minor extraparliamentary parties is not included.
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Party
! rowspan="2"| Leader
! rowspan="2"| Founded
! rowspan="2"| Ideology
! colspan="2"| 2016 election
|-
! % vote
! Seats
|-
| bgcolor="fe4401" |  || Social Democratic Party || [[Sarah Millard]] || 1862 || Social democracy || style="text-align:right;" | 26.6 || style="text-align:right;"| 152
|-
| bgcolor="bf2101" |  || Revolutionary Republican Party || Martel Garon || 1840 || Big-tent, Liberalism, Social liberalism, Civic nationalism || style="text-align:right;" | 27.4 || style="text-align:right;"| 156
|-
| bgcolor="3D9B35" |  || Green Party || Thomas Smith || 1983 || Green politics, Eco-socialism || style="text-align:right;" | 13.8 || style="text-align:right;"| 83
|-
| bgcolor="094174" |  || New Scalizagasti Party || Les Erlosto  || 2005 || National conservatism, Social conservatism  || style="text-align:right;" | 9.2 || style="text-align:right;"| 50
|-
| bgcolor="f1c232" |  || Liberal-Conservative Alliance || Moe Trellos || 2000 || Classical liberalism, Liberal conservatism  || style="text-align:right;" | 6.0 || style="text-align:right;"| 25
|-
| bgcolor="e80075" |  || Labour and Socialist Party || Ester Nortust || 1987 || Socialism, Left-wing populism || style="text-align:right;" | 4.0 || style="text-align:right;"| 18
|-
| bgcolor="000000" |  || Patriotic Defense Movement || Steve Pertillo || 1999 || Nationalism, Right-wing populism || style="text-align:right;" | 3.5 || style="text-align:right;"| 13
|-
| bgcolor="327215" |  || Progressive People's Party || Jay L. Larney || 1904 || Centrism, Agrarianism, Social liberalism || style="text-align:right;" | 2.0 || style="text-align:right;"| 5
|-
| bgcolor="ff0022" |  || Palyrian Left || Nick Lassalle || 1996 || Democratic socialism || style="text-align:right;" | 0.7 || style="text-align:right;"| 4
|-
| bgcolor="20124d" |  || Aulden Democratic Party || Curtis Soeder || 1805 || Aulden Democracy, Red Toryism || style="text-align:right;" | 2.0 || style="text-align:right;"| 3
|-
| bgcolor="E0AB76" |  || Sontalirdenna || George Brownley-Ashton || 1979 || Regionalism, Milynian sovereigntism, Social democracy || style="text-align:right;" | 0.4 || style="text-align:right;"| 3
|-
| bgcolor="808000" |  || United North || Umberto Yan || 1991 || Regionalism, Civil libertarianism || style="text-align:right;" | 0.4 || style="text-align:right;"| 2
|-
| bgcolor="26c6a8" |  || Holispet First || Walter Baunck || 1948 || Regionalism, Haprian sovereigntism, Conservatism || style="text-align:right;" | 0.2 || style="text-align:right;"| 2
|-
| bgcolor="ef9630" |  || Reform Party || Brian Patros || 2000 || Radical Centrism || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="9335b6" |  || Pirate Party || Lana Matthews || 2008 || Pirate Politics || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="35b5cc" |  || Universal Basic Income Now || Yandrew Ng || 2018 || Basic income || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="ff36ff" |  || Birthday Party || Joe Kerr || 2004 || Satire || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="9cda41" |  || Ecologist Party of Scalizagasti || Frollis Emmullo || 2008 || Green politics, Green conservativism || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="b4cccf" |  || Islander Independence Party || Wendy Benemaw || 1981 || Regionalism, Torlu Island sovereigntism || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="e5e647" |  || Citizen's Party || Ophelia Samson || 2010 || Centrism, Pro-democracy || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="9d6124" |  || Animal Rights Party || Elizabeth Peric || 2005 || Animal welfare || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="eb0000" |  || Communist Party of Scalizagasti || Anadi Bains || 1901 || Communism || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="e0c600" |  || Liahuan Heavenly Sutai Faith Party || Propi Wechuk || 1967 || Spiritualism, Sutai Faith || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="000150" |  || Imperial Restoration Party || Joseph Macton || 1967 || Monarchism || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="da0084" |  || Scalizagasti Feminist Party || Laura Innis || 2005 || Feminism, LGBT rights || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="fcb3b3" |  || Vegan and Vegetarian Party || Lin Brown || 2017 || Veganism, animal welfare || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
| bgcolor="eda21f" |  || The Family Party || Joseph Randy Ronald || 1982 || Religious right, Social conservatism || style="text-align:right;" | – || style="text-align:right;"| –
|-
|}
 
===CAVID-19 Response===
 
Scalizagastian health authorites were first notified of CAVID-19 on 24 February by [[Kigwari]], where over 1000 cases were documented. On 26 February, Prime Minister Millard announced that all travel between Scalizagasti and Kigwari would be restricted. Following the advice of health officials, Millard also imposed a mandatory quarantine on all travelers entering Scalizagasti regardless of their point of departure. While some, such as NSP leader Les Erlosto, criticized these measures as being unneccesary and extreme, it was later determined that this quick action mitigated the early spread of the virus.
 
The first case in Scalizagasti was reported on 14 March, which experts believe were caused by an undetected asympotmatic carrier of the virus. By 18 March, there were 27 reported cases at which point a national lockdown was imposed and all non-essential travel restricted. ScalHealth was given an addition 4 billion dollars in funding for a rigorous virus testing and contact-tracing program, which helped track the spread of the virus and prevent new cases. Containment measures were praised by international medical organizations for their effectiveness, as specific local clusters were targeted, tested, and quarantined. Hesmaron City, for example, was completely sealed off from the rest of Hesmaron following a small outbreak to prevent spread outside of the city.
 
An effective government campaign saw Scalizagastian society support the pandemic relief efforts. Daily briefings from the Prime Minister and Chief Medical Officer kept citizens informed and aware of new restrictions or relief programs. Programs such as free masks, wage & rent subsidies, and SPEB (Scalizagastian Pandemic Emergency Benefit) helped slow the spread of the virus and lessen the economic damage from lockdown.
 
As a result of this strong leadership and quick action, the national lockdown was removed in July after no new infections were reported for 20 days in a row. However, the strict border restrictions remained in place in order to prevent new cases from entering the country. When the election occured on 13 August, there were only 2160 cases with 45 deaths.
 
===Leaders' Debate===
 
There were four main debates hosted during the election. The first was a one-on-one debate between SDP leader Millard and RRP leader Garon, the leaders of the two biggest parties. The second was a four-leader debate attended by Millard, Garon, Smith, and Erlosto. The third was a debate between the leaders of the six major parties (parties with more than 16 seats in Parliament); however, NSP leader Les Erlosto did not attend due to alleged "bias" by the moderators. The final debate was for small parties, which was attended by Trellos, Nortust, Pertillo, Manderson, Soeder, Brownley-Ashton, and Umberto Yan. PL leader Nick Lassalle was invited but declined to attend.
 
The second debate was the most-watched debate, with topics including the post-pandemic economy, the environment, foreign policy, and minority relations. Millard was largely seen to have won the debate, attacking the liberal RRP for having similar policies to the conservative NSP. Millard accused Garon, who is seen as on the right-wing of his party, of wanting to implement a two-tier healthcare system where "the rich can pay for good care and everyone else can suffer." Analysts agreed that Garon's response to the charges were weak, and that he was largely the loser of the debate.
 
===Wosede Controversy===
 
On 2 August 2020, private comments made by RRP campaign manager James Wosede were published by the media. Wosede made derogatory remarks against the Torlu Islander ethnic group for their support of Alliance leader Moe Trellos, claiming the only reason Islanders support the Alliance is because Trellos is "one of them." He also remarked that Islanders are "stupid" and "traitorous" for their disproportionate support for the LCA.
 
The remarks immediately drew criticism from all sides, and Prime Minister Millard called it a "disgusting, racist, and derogatory rant" against both Trellos and Torlu Islanders. RRP leader Martel Garon was also criticized for remaining silent on the matter until three days later on 9 August, at which point Wosede was fired as campaign manager.
 
The controversy solidified the RRP's position behind the SDP as voters once again abandonded the party. Previously, they had been slowly eroding support from the SDP as the CAVID-19 pandemic became less of a pressing issue. In a Bewundal University poll taken the day before the election, the net personal favourability rating of Garon had dropped to -15. In the Islander Group, the RRP won only 5.6% of the vote, one of the lowest vote shares for the RRP in the Islander Group ever. Political pundits also cited this controversy as one of the reasons for Garon's third electoral defeat in a row, although it was only one factor out of many.
 
==Results==
 
With 255 seats, the Social Democrats won a plurality of seats, only four short of an absolute majority. The SDP, under Prime Minister Sarah Millard, experienced its largest victory in the history of the party and formed government for a second term.
 
===Analysis===
 
The 2020 election was the largest victory for the Social Democratic Party in its over 200 years of history. They came first in 38 out of 42 electoral districts, and came in second in the remaining five. The SDP also won an absolute majority of the popular vote in nine electoral districts. The highest concentration of SDP support was in Bewundal, central Scalizagasti, Torlonia, and parts of northern Scalizagasti. The districts of Greater Nohachewa and Bewundal East saw the party exceed 60% of the popular vote. The party's worst performance was in Jurein South, a western Scalizagastian district that is traditionally a stronghold for right-wing parties, where they received 28.4% of the popular vote. Ironically, the party still came in first due to vote-splitting between the NSP and PDM.
 
The Republicans, while coming in second place and remaining as the official opposition, were knocked down to under 20% of the popular vote for the second time in eight years. While it retained its core strongholds in Masfassen, Liahuan, and Maldati, the party faced significant losses everywhere else in the country. The RRP caucus was almost halved, going from 156 to 85 seats. In Guosenli and Torlu North, they lost all of their incumbents. While the party still performed better than its humiliating loss in 2012, party insiders were highly disappointed at the election results. Central and northern Scalizagasti, which normally support the RRP, were swept by the SDP.
 
After the 2012 election, some had high expectations that the Green Party would be able to form government. However, from 2012 to 2020 both the Green Party's popular vote and seat count were cut in half. Most of the soft Green support was re-absorbed by the Social Democrats, especially youth and first-time voters. While it remained in first place in Torlu North, the Green Party lost its lead in Sunshine Coast and its second-place positions in Suydole, Bewundal East, and Weyburn—Alesting.
 
The two major conservative parties, the New Scalizagasti Party and the Liberal-Conservative Alliance, were unable to increase their vote share from 2016 and both remained under 10% nationally. Before the election, the NSP consistently polled above 12% following the election of Les Erlosto as leader and had seemed to be making a comeback. However, a weak campaign combined with accusations of a return to the austerity of the late aughts saw the party lose support nationwide. The NSP's best results were in Jurein North, Jurein South, and Urqilat—Badger (traditionally safe conservative areas) where it was beaten by the SDP in all three districts. Despite losing support, the Alliance managed to gain a seat due to a more effecient vote distribution. Alliance gains in Torlonia, Monulla, Valdemarn Region, and Ostrawijan South offset losses elsewhere, and most of the time the Alliance managed to retain their incumbents.
 
The Patriotic Defense Movement suffered its third electoral disappointment in a row under the leadership of Steve Pertillo. While Pertillo managed to gain one new seat, reclaiming his Palgaroca seat lost in 2016, the party was still well below its performance from a decade earlier. However, the PDM was able to surpass the Labour and Socialist Party, who saw big losses to the SDP in western and southern Scalizagasti. Their national vote share dropped a percentage point and they were unable to capitalize on the momentum they had in 2016. The Progressive People's Party stayed at 2% support nationwide; they lost support in districts with no incumbent but equally gained support in those with them. The PPP's strategy of focusing on retaining incumbents allowed them to pick up a new seat in Ostrawijan South.
 
===Summary Results===
<!--{| style="width:75%; text-align:center;"
|+ ↓
|- style="color:white;"
 
| style="background:#fe4401; width:49.4%;" | '''255'''
| style="background:#3D9B35; width:11.0%;" | '''17'''
| style="background:#bf2101; width:17.8%;" | '''92'''
| style="background:#094174; width:8.9%;" | '''46'''
| style="background:#f1c232; width:4.3%;" | '''22'''
| style="background:#e80075; width:3.1%;" | '''16'''
| style="background:#000000; width:2.5%;" | '''13'''
| style="background:#327215; width:1.7%;" | '''9'''
| style="background:#20124d; width:1.0%;" | '''5'''
| style="background:#E0AB76; width:0.2%;" | '''1'''
|-
| <span style="color:#fe4401;">'''SDP'''</span>
| <span style="color:#3D9B35;">'''Green'''</span>
| <span style="color:#bf2101;">'''RRP'''</span>
| <span style="color:#094174;">'''NSP'''</span>
| <span style="color:#f1c232;">'''LCA'''</span>
| <span style="color:#e80075;">'''LSP'''</span>
| <span style="color:#000000;">'''PDM'''</span>
| <span style="color:#327215;">'''PPP'''</span>
| <span style="color:#20124d;">'''ADP'''</span>
| <span style="color:#E0AB76;">'''Sontalirdenna'''</span>
|} -->
 
{{Pie chart
| thumb = right
| caption = '''Party vote percentage'''
| other = yes
| label1 = SDP
| value1 = 44.7
| color1 = #fe4401
| label2 = RRP
| value2 = 16.1
| color2 = #bf2101
| label3 = Green
| value3 = 9.3
| color3 = #3D9B35
| label4 = NSP
| value4 = 9.1
| color4 = #094174
| label5 = Alliance
| value5 = 5.4
| color5 = #f1c232
| label6 = PDM
| value6 = 4.0
| color6 = #000000
| label7 = LSP
| value7 = 2.9
| color7 = #e80075
| label8 = PPP
| value8 = 2.0
| color8 = #327215
| label9 = ADP
| value9 = 1.9
| color9 = #20124d
| label10 = PL
| value10 = 1.0
| color10 = #ff0022
}}
 
[[File:2020_Scalizagastian_Federal_Election_Map.png|thumb|right|Map of electoral results.]]
 
[[File:2020_Scalizagastian_Federal_Election_Map_2.png|thumb|Highest polling party in each electorate.]]
 
[[File:2020_Scalizagastian_Election_Gallagher_Index.PNG|thumb|The disproportionality of the 2020 Scalizagastian federal election was 3.53 according to the {{wp|Gallagher Index}}]]
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
| colspan="15" |[[File:Scalizagasti_Parliament_2020.svg|center|300px]]
|-
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |Party
! colspan="2" |Popular Vote
! colspan="2" |Seats
|-
! %
! Change
! Total
! Change
|-
| bgcolor="fe4401" |  || align="left" |Social Democratic Party (SDP)||44.7||+18.1||255||+103
|-
| bgcolor="bf2101" |  || align="left" |Revolutionary Republican Party (RRP)||16.1||-11.3||85||-71
|-
| bgcolor="3D9B35" |  || align="left" |Green Party (GRN)||9.3||-4.5||53||-30
|-
| bgcolor="094174" |  || align="left" |New Scalizagasti Party (NSP)||9.1||-0.1||53||+3
|-
| bgcolor="f1c232" |  || align="left" |Liberal-Conservative Alliance (LCA)||5.4||-0.6||26||+1
|-
| bgcolor="000000" |  || align="left" |Patriotic Defense Movement (PDM)||4.0||+0.5||14||+1
|-
| bgcolor="e80075" |  || align="left" |Labour and Socialist Party (LSP)||2.9||-1.1||10||-8
|-
| bgcolor="327215" |  || align="left" |Progressive People's Party (PPP)||2.0||0.0||6||+1
|-
| bgcolor="20124d" |  || align="left" |Aulden Democratic Party (ADP)||1.9||-0.1||5||+2
|-
| bgcolor="ff0022" |  || align="left" |Palyrian Left (PL)||1.0||+0.3||4||0
|-
| bgcolor="E0AB76" |  || align="left" |Sontalirdenna (SON)||0.3||-0.1||2||-1
|-
| bgcolor="26c6a8" |  || align="left" |Holispet First (HSF)||0.2||-0.1||2||0
|-
| bgcolor="E0AB76" |  || align="left" |United North (UN)||0.3||-0.1||1||-1
|-
| colspan="6" style="background: #C0C0C0" |
|-
| colspan="2" align="left" |Others||3.1||-1.1||0||0
|-
| bgcolor="ef9630" |  || align="left" |Reform Party (REF)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="9335b6" |  || align="left" |Pirate Party (PIR)|||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="ff36ff" |  || align="left" |Birthday Party (BIRP)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="9cda41" |  || align="left" |Ecologist Party of Scalizagasti (EPS)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="b4cccf" |  || align="left" |Islander Independence Party (IIP)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="e5e647" |  || align="left" |Citizen's Party (CIT)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="9d6124" |  || align="left" |Animal Rights Party (ARP)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="eb0000" |  || align="left" |Communist Party of Scalizagasti (CPS)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="e0c600" |  || align="left" |Liahuan Heavenly Sutai Faith Party (LHSFP)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="35b5cc" |  || align="left" |Universal Basic Income Now (UBI)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="000150" |  || align="left" |Imperial Restoration Party (IRP)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="da0084" |  || align="left" |Scalizagastian Feminist Party (SFP)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="fcb3b3" |  || align="left" |Vegan and Vegetarian Party (VVP)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="eda21f" |  || align="left" |The Family Party (FAM)||-||-||-||-
|-
| bgcolor="C0C0C0" |  || align="left" |Independents||-||-||-||-
<!--|-
| colspan="2" align="left" |Invalid/blank votes||586,726||–||–||460,849-->
|-
| colspan="2" align="left" |'''Total'''||'''100'''||'''–'''||'''516'''||'''–'''
<!--|-
| colspan="2" align="left" |Registered voters/turnout||61,688,485||76.2||–||61,688,485-->
|}
 
{{bar box
| title=Parliament seats
| titlebar=#ddd
| width=700px
| barwidth=410px
| bars=
{{bar percent|'''Social Democratic'''|#fe4401|49.4}}
{{bar percent|Revolutionary Republican|#bf2101|17.8}}
{{bar percent|Green|#3D9B35|11.0}}
{{bar percent|New Scalizagasti|#094174|8.9}}
{{bar percent|Alliance|#f1c232|4.3}}
{{bar percent|Labour and Socialist|#e80075|3.1}}
{{bar percent|PDM|#000000|2.5}}
{{bar percent|Progressive People's|#327215|1.7}}
{{bar percent|Aulden Democratic|#20124d|1.0}}
{{bar percent|Sontalirdenna|#e0ab76|0.2}}
}}
 
==Aftermath==
Two days after the election, Millard announced a confidence and supply agreement with the Green Party. The joint policy document outlined some areas of focus for the incoming government, including publicly funded university, a comprehensive climate plan (the "Green Shift"), rural internet infrastructure, and more. The PPP announced their support of this document for its investments in rural and farming communities, although their support was not needed to form a government.
 
The SDP officially formed government on 13 September 2020 following the success of their investiture vote. The SDP, Greens, and PPP voted in favour of the investiture vote; the RRP, NSP, LCA, and PDM voted against; and the LSP, ADP, and Sontalirdenna abstained. The final results were 321 aye, 173 nay, and 22 abstain.
 
After the election, Martel Garon and Les Erlosto both announced their resignation as leader. While there were calls from within his party to step down as well, Steve Pertillo declared that he would lead the PDM into the next election.
 
[[Category:Scalizagasti]]

Latest revision as of 07:04, 16 December 2021

2020 Scalizagastian federal election

← 2016 14 August 2020

All 516 seats in the Parliament of Scalizagasti
259 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
  Pernille Skipper (cropped).jpg Paul Martin.jpg Marko-Bela1.jpg
Leader Sarah Millard Martel Garon Thomas Smith
Party Social Democratic Party Revolutionary Republican Party Green Party
Leader since 26 January 2015 21 December 2015 3 November 2007
Leader's seat Bewundal East Maldati Torlu North
Last election 152 seats, 26.6% 156 seats, 27.4% 83 seats, 13.8%
Seats before 152 156 83
Seats won 255 85 53
Seat change Increase103 Decrease71 Decrease30
Percentage 44.7% 16.1% 9.3%
Swing Increase18.1pp Decrease11.3pp Decrease4.5pp

  Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party
  Jan Szyszko.JPG Tany Yao MLA.JPG Makis Voridis (Greece) - July 2016 (cropped).jpg
Leader Les Erlosto Moe Trellos Steve Pertillo
Party New Scalizagasti Party Liberal-Conservative Alliance Patriotic Defense Movement
Leader since 16 September 2018 8 August 2017 18 March 2010
Leader's seat Jurein North Islander Group Palgaroca
Last election 50 seats, 9.2% 25 seats, 6.0% 13 seats, 3.5%
Seats before 50 25 13
Seats won 53 26 14
Seat change Increase3 Increase1 Increase1
Percentage 9.1% 5.4% 4.0%
Swing Decrease0.1pp Decrease0.6pp Increase0.5pp

  Seventh party Eighth party Ninth party
  Margot Wallström in Sept 1, 2014.jpg Albert Rivera 2015.jpg Markus Söder MSC 2019 (cropped).jpg
Leader Ester Nortust Jay L. Larney Curtis Soeder
Party Labour and Socialist Party Progressive People's Party Aulden Democratic Party
Leader since 1 June 2010 6 July 2017 19 January 2008
Leader's seat Blicamy Keewatin Urqilat—Badger
Last election 18 seats, 4.0% 5 seats, 2.0% 3 seats, 2.0%
Seats before 18 5 3
Seats won 10 6 5
Seat change Decrease8 Increase1 Increase2
Percentage 2.9% 2.0% 1.9%
Swing Decrease1.1pp Steady0pp Decrease0.1pp

Prime Minister before election

Sarah Millard
SDP

Prime Minister after election

Sarah Millard
SDP

The 2020 Scalizagastian federal election was held on August 14, 2020, to elect 516 members of the Parliament of Scalizagasti. Prior to the election, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), led by Prime Minister Sarah Millard, governed Scalizagasti in a coalition with the Greens, Labour and Socialist Party (LSP), Palyrian Left (PL), and the Progressive People's Party (PPP). It was the second election for Millard as SDP leader and first election as the incumbent Prime Minister.

With 44.7% of the popular vote and 255 seats, the SDP won the largest parliamentary victory in its history, and was nearly able to form a historic majority government. Up 103 seats from 2016, Prime Minister Millard formed government with the Greens, no longer needing the three minor parties as they did previously. The large gains by the SDP mostly came at the expense of the Revolutionary Republican Party (RRP) and Greens, dropping by 11 and 4 points of support respectively. The RRP fell to second place with 85 seats and the Greens remained third with 53 seats. They were tied for third with the New Scalizagasti Party who also won 53 seats. Marginal regional gains allowed the Aulden Democratic Party (ADP), Liberal-Conservative Alliance (LCA), and New Scalizagasti Party to pick up additional seats despite losing support nationwide. All thirteen parties which had a presence after the 2016 election returned to Parliament. However, United North and Holispet First were both nearly wiped out. The Reform Party, which lost all its seats in 2016 after the departure of former leader Bole Yallusi, failed to re-enter Parliament.

Background

Following the 2016 federal election, the SDP managed to form a governing coalition with the Greens, LSP, PL, and PPP, despite only winning 152 seats to the RRP's 156. The 2016 election gave the left-wing parties (SDP, Greens, PL, and LSP) a large enough seat share to govern with support from the agrarian centrist Progressives. As the largest party, the RRP was given the first opportunity to negotiate a coalition, but the SDP-Green-LSP-PL-PPP coalition presented their agreement in the middle of coalition talks, forcing the President to recall Parliament before the RRP had finished their negotiations.

The 2016 election also led to the collapse of Scalizagasti's right-wing parties. The New Scalizagasti Party (NSP), Liberal-Conservative Alliance (LCA), and Patriotic Defense Movement (PDM) all suffered severe defeats from earlier elections, where they managed to consistently form government for over a decade. Anger over austerity measures enacted by the conservative government led to success for the centrist RRP, centre-left SDP, and left-wing Greens.

The NSP, LCA, and PPP were the only parties to switch leaders between the elections. Radio host Jay L. Larney was acclaimed as leader of the PPP on July 6, 2017. Moe Trellos, a former Garor City councillor, was elected as leader of the LCA on August 8, 2017. Les Erlosto, MP for Jurein North, was elected as leader of the NSP on September 16, 2018.

During the 2020 CAVID-19 outbreak in The Great Experiment, the SDP's quick and effective response boosted their popularity, eventually skyrocketing them to over 50% support. At her peak, Prime Minister Millard enjoyed a net personal popularity rate of +58 points. Ultimately, the rally 'round the flag effect created by the CAVID-19 pandemic response allowed the SDP to gain immense support during the election.

Electoral System

The 516 members of Parliament are elected by open party-list proportional representation in multi-member constituencies. Seats are allocated using a Droop quota for the largest remainder method, with a 3% threshold for parties and a 1.5% threshold for independents.

474 seats are elected in 42 geographical electoral districts, ranging anywhere from 5 to 18 seats per electorate. The other 42 seats are elected through a national list, where each of Scalizagasti's six recognized ethnic groups (officially documented in the census) vote for 6 seats each, alongside a seventh list for "other" ethnicites and expats (including expats of Scalizagasti's six recognized groups). If a party wins 259 or more seats, they can govern without forming any coalition. However, this is incredibly uncommon due to Scalizagasti's proportional electoral system.

Changes from 2016

As part of the coalition demands by the Green Party, numerous reforms were undertaken in preparation for the 2020 election. Most notably, the voting age was lowered from 18 to 16 years of age. Permanent residents were also given the right to vote, given that they lived in Scalizagasti for at least five years. Minor parties (those with 16 or fewer seats in Parliament) and any extraparliamentary party which earned at least 2% of the vote were allocated 1 hour of free advertising on Scalizagasti National Media Corporation. Previously, only major parties were granted free advertising space equalling 3 hours each.

Election Date

The date of the election, 14 August 2020, was set by President Paul Kruig following the dissolution of Parliament.

Unless an early election is called by the government or no government can be formed following the failure of a confidence vote, a general election is held every four years. The last election was held on 12 August 2016. According to the 2000 Election Law, unless an early election is called, the general election must be held on the second Friday of August, four years after the last election year.

Polls close in electorates at 8:00 PM local time, and results are usually released a few hours later. However, recounts and other unexpected issues have previously caused vote count delays for up to 24 hours.

Campaign

Political Parties

In total, 27 parties stood in the election. However, only 13 won seats in Parliament. The vote share of minor extraparliamentary parties is not included.

Party Leader Founded Ideology 2016 election
% vote Seats
Social Democratic Party Sarah Millard 1862 Social democracy 26.6 152
Revolutionary Republican Party Martel Garon 1840 Big-tent, Liberalism, Social liberalism, Civic nationalism 27.4 156
Green Party Thomas Smith 1983 Green politics, Eco-socialism 13.8 83
New Scalizagasti Party Les Erlosto 2005 National conservatism, Social conservatism 9.2 50
Liberal-Conservative Alliance Moe Trellos 2000 Classical liberalism, Liberal conservatism 6.0 25
Labour and Socialist Party Ester Nortust 1987 Socialism, Left-wing populism 4.0 18
Patriotic Defense Movement Steve Pertillo 1999 Nationalism, Right-wing populism 3.5 13
Progressive People's Party Jay L. Larney 1904 Centrism, Agrarianism, Social liberalism 2.0 5
Palyrian Left Nick Lassalle 1996 Democratic socialism 0.7 4
Aulden Democratic Party Curtis Soeder 1805 Aulden Democracy, Red Toryism 2.0 3
Sontalirdenna George Brownley-Ashton 1979 Regionalism, Milynian sovereigntism, Social democracy 0.4 3
United North Umberto Yan 1991 Regionalism, Civil libertarianism 0.4 2
Holispet First Walter Baunck 1948 Regionalism, Haprian sovereigntism, Conservatism 0.2 2
Reform Party Brian Patros 2000 Radical Centrism
Pirate Party Lana Matthews 2008 Pirate Politics
Universal Basic Income Now Yandrew Ng 2018 Basic income
Birthday Party Joe Kerr 2004 Satire
Ecologist Party of Scalizagasti Frollis Emmullo 2008 Green politics, Green conservativism
Islander Independence Party Wendy Benemaw 1981 Regionalism, Torlu Island sovereigntism
Citizen's Party Ophelia Samson 2010 Centrism, Pro-democracy
Animal Rights Party Elizabeth Peric 2005 Animal welfare
Communist Party of Scalizagasti Anadi Bains 1901 Communism
Liahuan Heavenly Sutai Faith Party Propi Wechuk 1967 Spiritualism, Sutai Faith
Imperial Restoration Party Joseph Macton 1967 Monarchism
Scalizagasti Feminist Party Laura Innis 2005 Feminism, LGBT rights
Vegan and Vegetarian Party Lin Brown 2017 Veganism, animal welfare
The Family Party Joseph Randy Ronald 1982 Religious right, Social conservatism

CAVID-19 Response

Scalizagastian health authorites were first notified of CAVID-19 on 24 February by Kigwari, where over 1000 cases were documented. On 26 February, Prime Minister Millard announced that all travel between Scalizagasti and Kigwari would be restricted. Following the advice of health officials, Millard also imposed a mandatory quarantine on all travelers entering Scalizagasti regardless of their point of departure. While some, such as NSP leader Les Erlosto, criticized these measures as being unneccesary and extreme, it was later determined that this quick action mitigated the early spread of the virus.

The first case in Scalizagasti was reported on 14 March, which experts believe were caused by an undetected asympotmatic carrier of the virus. By 18 March, there were 27 reported cases at which point a national lockdown was imposed and all non-essential travel restricted. ScalHealth was given an addition 4 billion dollars in funding for a rigorous virus testing and contact-tracing program, which helped track the spread of the virus and prevent new cases. Containment measures were praised by international medical organizations for their effectiveness, as specific local clusters were targeted, tested, and quarantined. Hesmaron City, for example, was completely sealed off from the rest of Hesmaron following a small outbreak to prevent spread outside of the city.

An effective government campaign saw Scalizagastian society support the pandemic relief efforts. Daily briefings from the Prime Minister and Chief Medical Officer kept citizens informed and aware of new restrictions or relief programs. Programs such as free masks, wage & rent subsidies, and SPEB (Scalizagastian Pandemic Emergency Benefit) helped slow the spread of the virus and lessen the economic damage from lockdown.

As a result of this strong leadership and quick action, the national lockdown was removed in July after no new infections were reported for 20 days in a row. However, the strict border restrictions remained in place in order to prevent new cases from entering the country. When the election occured on 13 August, there were only 2160 cases with 45 deaths.

Leaders' Debate

There were four main debates hosted during the election. The first was a one-on-one debate between SDP leader Millard and RRP leader Garon, the leaders of the two biggest parties. The second was a four-leader debate attended by Millard, Garon, Smith, and Erlosto. The third was a debate between the leaders of the six major parties (parties with more than 16 seats in Parliament); however, NSP leader Les Erlosto did not attend due to alleged "bias" by the moderators. The final debate was for small parties, which was attended by Trellos, Nortust, Pertillo, Manderson, Soeder, Brownley-Ashton, and Umberto Yan. PL leader Nick Lassalle was invited but declined to attend.

The second debate was the most-watched debate, with topics including the post-pandemic economy, the environment, foreign policy, and minority relations. Millard was largely seen to have won the debate, attacking the liberal RRP for having similar policies to the conservative NSP. Millard accused Garon, who is seen as on the right-wing of his party, of wanting to implement a two-tier healthcare system where "the rich can pay for good care and everyone else can suffer." Analysts agreed that Garon's response to the charges were weak, and that he was largely the loser of the debate.

Wosede Controversy

On 2 August 2020, private comments made by RRP campaign manager James Wosede were published by the media. Wosede made derogatory remarks against the Torlu Islander ethnic group for their support of Alliance leader Moe Trellos, claiming the only reason Islanders support the Alliance is because Trellos is "one of them." He also remarked that Islanders are "stupid" and "traitorous" for their disproportionate support for the LCA.

The remarks immediately drew criticism from all sides, and Prime Minister Millard called it a "disgusting, racist, and derogatory rant" against both Trellos and Torlu Islanders. RRP leader Martel Garon was also criticized for remaining silent on the matter until three days later on 9 August, at which point Wosede was fired as campaign manager.

The controversy solidified the RRP's position behind the SDP as voters once again abandonded the party. Previously, they had been slowly eroding support from the SDP as the CAVID-19 pandemic became less of a pressing issue. In a Bewundal University poll taken the day before the election, the net personal favourability rating of Garon had dropped to -15. In the Islander Group, the RRP won only 5.6% of the vote, one of the lowest vote shares for the RRP in the Islander Group ever. Political pundits also cited this controversy as one of the reasons for Garon's third electoral defeat in a row, although it was only one factor out of many.

Results

With 255 seats, the Social Democrats won a plurality of seats, only four short of an absolute majority. The SDP, under Prime Minister Sarah Millard, experienced its largest victory in the history of the party and formed government for a second term.

Analysis

The 2020 election was the largest victory for the Social Democratic Party in its over 200 years of history. They came first in 38 out of 42 electoral districts, and came in second in the remaining five. The SDP also won an absolute majority of the popular vote in nine electoral districts. The highest concentration of SDP support was in Bewundal, central Scalizagasti, Torlonia, and parts of northern Scalizagasti. The districts of Greater Nohachewa and Bewundal East saw the party exceed 60% of the popular vote. The party's worst performance was in Jurein South, a western Scalizagastian district that is traditionally a stronghold for right-wing parties, where they received 28.4% of the popular vote. Ironically, the party still came in first due to vote-splitting between the NSP and PDM.

The Republicans, while coming in second place and remaining as the official opposition, were knocked down to under 20% of the popular vote for the second time in eight years. While it retained its core strongholds in Masfassen, Liahuan, and Maldati, the party faced significant losses everywhere else in the country. The RRP caucus was almost halved, going from 156 to 85 seats. In Guosenli and Torlu North, they lost all of their incumbents. While the party still performed better than its humiliating loss in 2012, party insiders were highly disappointed at the election results. Central and northern Scalizagasti, which normally support the RRP, were swept by the SDP.

After the 2012 election, some had high expectations that the Green Party would be able to form government. However, from 2012 to 2020 both the Green Party's popular vote and seat count were cut in half. Most of the soft Green support was re-absorbed by the Social Democrats, especially youth and first-time voters. While it remained in first place in Torlu North, the Green Party lost its lead in Sunshine Coast and its second-place positions in Suydole, Bewundal East, and Weyburn—Alesting.

The two major conservative parties, the New Scalizagasti Party and the Liberal-Conservative Alliance, were unable to increase their vote share from 2016 and both remained under 10% nationally. Before the election, the NSP consistently polled above 12% following the election of Les Erlosto as leader and had seemed to be making a comeback. However, a weak campaign combined with accusations of a return to the austerity of the late aughts saw the party lose support nationwide. The NSP's best results were in Jurein North, Jurein South, and Urqilat—Badger (traditionally safe conservative areas) where it was beaten by the SDP in all three districts. Despite losing support, the Alliance managed to gain a seat due to a more effecient vote distribution. Alliance gains in Torlonia, Monulla, Valdemarn Region, and Ostrawijan South offset losses elsewhere, and most of the time the Alliance managed to retain their incumbents.

The Patriotic Defense Movement suffered its third electoral disappointment in a row under the leadership of Steve Pertillo. While Pertillo managed to gain one new seat, reclaiming his Palgaroca seat lost in 2016, the party was still well below its performance from a decade earlier. However, the PDM was able to surpass the Labour and Socialist Party, who saw big losses to the SDP in western and southern Scalizagasti. Their national vote share dropped a percentage point and they were unable to capitalize on the momentum they had in 2016. The Progressive People's Party stayed at 2% support nationwide; they lost support in districts with no incumbent but equally gained support in those with them. The PPP's strategy of focusing on retaining incumbents allowed them to pick up a new seat in Ostrawijan South.

Summary Results

Party vote percentage

  SDP (44.7%)
  RRP (16.1%)
  Green (9.3%)
  NSP (9.1%)
  Alliance (5.4%)
  PDM (4.0%)
  LSP (2.9%)
  PPP (2.0%)
  ADP (1.9%)
  PL (1.0%)
  Other (3.6%)
Map of electoral results.
Highest polling party in each electorate.
The disproportionality of the 2020 Scalizagastian federal election was 3.53 according to the Gallagher Index
Scalizagasti Parliament 2020.svg
Party Popular Vote Seats
% Change Total Change
Social Democratic Party (SDP) 44.7 +18.1 255 +103
Revolutionary Republican Party (RRP) 16.1 -11.3 85 -71
Green Party (GRN) 9.3 -4.5 53 -30
New Scalizagasti Party (NSP) 9.1 -0.1 53 +3
Liberal-Conservative Alliance (LCA) 5.4 -0.6 26 +1
Patriotic Defense Movement (PDM) 4.0 +0.5 14 +1
Labour and Socialist Party (LSP) 2.9 -1.1 10 -8
Progressive People's Party (PPP) 2.0 0.0 6 +1
Aulden Democratic Party (ADP) 1.9 -0.1 5 +2
Palyrian Left (PL) 1.0 +0.3 4 0
Sontalirdenna (SON) 0.3 -0.1 2 -1
Holispet First (HSF) 0.2 -0.1 2 0
United North (UN) 0.3 -0.1 1 -1
Others 3.1 -1.1 0 0
Reform Party (REF) - - - -
Pirate Party (PIR) - - - -
Birthday Party (BIRP) - - - -
Ecologist Party of Scalizagasti (EPS) - - - -
Islander Independence Party (IIP) - - - -
Citizen's Party (CIT) - - - -
Animal Rights Party (ARP) - - - -
Communist Party of Scalizagasti (CPS) - - - -
Liahuan Heavenly Sutai Faith Party (LHSFP) - - - -
Universal Basic Income Now (UBI) - - - -
Imperial Restoration Party (IRP) - - - -
Scalizagastian Feminist Party (SFP) - - - -
Vegan and Vegetarian Party (VVP) - - - -
The Family Party (FAM) - - - -
Independents - - - -
Total 100 516
Parliament seats
Social Democratic
49.4%
Revolutionary Republican
17.8%
Green
11.0%
New Scalizagasti
8.9%
Alliance
4.3%
Labour and Socialist
3.1%
PDM
2.5%
Progressive People's
1.7%
Aulden Democratic
1.0%
Sontalirdenna
0.2%

Aftermath

Two days after the election, Millard announced a confidence and supply agreement with the Green Party. The joint policy document outlined some areas of focus for the incoming government, including publicly funded university, a comprehensive climate plan (the "Green Shift"), rural internet infrastructure, and more. The PPP announced their support of this document for its investments in rural and farming communities, although their support was not needed to form a government.

The SDP officially formed government on 13 September 2020 following the success of their investiture vote. The SDP, Greens, and PPP voted in favour of the investiture vote; the RRP, NSP, LCA, and PDM voted against; and the LSP, ADP, and Sontalirdenna abstained. The final results were 321 aye, 173 nay, and 22 abstain.

After the election, Martel Garon and Les Erlosto both announced their resignation as leader. While there were calls from within his party to step down as well, Steve Pertillo declared that he would lead the PDM into the next election.