The Mountain (Midrasia)
Socialist Party Partit Socialiste | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Jean-Paul Dumonde |
| Deputy Leader | Victor Albert |
| Founded | 5 April 2009 |
| Headquarters | 6 Anhuit, Bonevent, Argois |
| Youth wing | Young Socialists |
| Ideology | Democratic Socialism Trade Unionism |
| Political position | Left-wing |
| International affiliation | World Socialist Movement |
| Asuran Parliament | Asuran Socialist League |
| Colours | Pink |
| Public Assembly | 11 / 600
|
| Senate | 3 / 100
|
| Election symbol | |
| PS | |
The Socialist Party (Midrasian: Partit Socialiste pronounced: /parˈtit susjaˈliste/) is a democratic socialist political party in Midrasia. The party was formed in 2009 by a group of former members of the Social Democratic Party who believed the party to be abandoning its long-held commitment to workers rights and left wing politics. The party has been led by Jean-Paul Dumonde since its foundation and currently holds 11 seats in the Public Assembly and 3 seat in the Senate.
History
Origins
Division between moderates and the hard left had been apparent within the PSD since the party's inception, however it was not until the 21st century that such divisions became increasingly prominent. The reforms of Manuel Pegrant had exacerbated tensions within the party as manifesto promises moved away from the promotion of nationalisation and direct economic intervention toward a more laissez-faire attitude. Despite such shifts, Pegrant was able to maintain unity within the party by appointing members of the Socialist Forum, the PSD's left-wing advocate group, to prominent positions within the cabinet. With Marc Llalondec's election to leader, the hard-left faction within the party remained placated, with Llalondec promising to involve all sections of the party in decision making.
Despite this, the downfall of the Llalondec administration led to a new election for party leader. With Charles Vauban front-runner, campaigning on a centrist message in-favour of ending direct ties to trade unions, many within the party became alienated with the leadership. In the immediate aftermath of Vauban's election to party leader, several party members, along with one Parliamentary delegate, Jean-Paul Dumonde, left the PSD to form the Socialist Party. Vauban's reforms and the subsequent edits to the party constitution led to a mass exodus of members, trade unionists to the newly formed party, which now boasted a membership of around 50,000.
Political Development
Within its first election in 2009, the Socialist Party managed to gain 2 seats within the Public Assembly, with leader Jean-Paul Dumonde winning re-election in his constituency of Argois East. The party also managed to gain another seat within Argois from the PSD. The party also succeeded in raising significant support across Midrasia, but particularly in the Elsouf and Argois regions. Although the party was able to attract significant support from trade unions within the election campaign, several unions, most notably the National Union of Dockworkers refused to support the Socialist Party, pointing to the party's inability to attract significant support away from the PSD.
Within their first parliamentary term, the Socialist Party were notable for their involvement with local issues, and their willingness to work with other parties to achieve local reform. Most notable was the party's ability to gain increased government funding for new infrastructure initiatives in and around Argois, in exchange for supporting the UDA's planned administrative reforms for local government. Furthermore, the party was also notable for its willingness to engage with public protests. Between 2009 and 2013 the Socialist Party took part in over 30 protests on a range of issues such as funding cuts, nuclear weaponry, corruption and economic injustice and inequality.
Post 2013
Following the 2013 general election the Socialist party was able to gain 2 seats within the Public Assembly and one senate seat representing the Catougne. During its time in opposition, the Socialist Party was able to attract significant attention through its bill proposals. The party has been most notable for introducing 3 bills proposing the nationalisation of Midrasia's rail industries. Whilst none of these bills succeeded, they were able to garner significant popular support from sections of Midrasian society, bringing parliament's attention toward the public's current dissatisfaction with the management of Midrasia's rail franchises. The Socialist party also lent their support to the 2014 Electoral Reform Bill introduced by the coalition government, noting that the legislation was a 'step in the right direction' toward greater democratisation within Midrasia.
The party made considerable gains within the 2017 general election, gaining 7 seats in the Assembly and 2 in the Senate. This rise in support mostly came at the expense of the Social Democratic Party whose share of the vote collapsed. Despite this the party overall received a smaller share of the vote than 2013, however the new MMP system ensured the party was able to attain a number of list seats. The rise in support the party received has led a number of larger trade unions to officially affiliate themselves with the party, leading to a large increase in campaign funds and resources for the party.
Ideology
The Socialist Party identifies itself as a democratic socialist and eco-socialist political party. Its main goal is "a gradual and peaceful transition away from capitalism towards a more ethical economic system", and it pushes a ten-point platform as it's key basis:
- The introduction of universal basic income.
- A strong commitment to environmental, social and economic justice.
- The decentralisation of power and the federalisation of the nation.
- The hope for a society free from discrimination based on gender identity, race, religion, sexuality, class or ability.
- The devolution of power to the people through referenda.
- The gradual nationalisation of enterprises and the restructuring of them to give more power to the workers.
- The measuring of success based on factors taking into account general happiness and social inequality, instead of on shallow indicators such as economic efficiency and average income.
- The reformation of education to give students more freedom and to give it more practical implications.
- The public ownership of all public services such as transport and energy, and the provision of free housing, to make sure everyone has the right to a decent quality of life.
- The defending of civil rights at all costs; people should be free to be themselves.
The party is also strongly aligned with the trade unions and has codified within its constitution a commitment to the integration of trade unions into the political process. The party has in the past championed a number of key trade union issues either through legislation or direct protest. The party also receives a significant amount of its funding from trade unions who also take a direct role in electing the leader of the Socialist Party.
Electoral Performance
Parliament
| Election year | Public Assembly | Government | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # of overall votes |
% of overall vote |
# of overall seats won |
+/– | ||
| 2009 | 2,084,930 | 3.7 % | 2 / 400
|
in opposition | |
| 2013 | 3,037,102 | 5.1 % | 4 / 400
|
 2
|
in opposition |
| 2017 | 2,603,035 | 4.4 % | 11 / 600
|
7
|
in opposition |
Aeian Parliament
| Election year | # of overall votes |
% of overall vote |
# of overall seats won |
+/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 288,311 | 1.8 % | 2 / 110
|