2016 Ostric regional election

2016 Ostric regional election

5 June 2016
All 15 seats in the Dorada 8 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Leader Johann Schöttmer Lùcjan Kohl Léch Kneller Party Social Democratic Radical People's Coalition Leader since 12 March 2009 20 July 2008 17 December 1998 Last election 7 seats, 43.52% 3 seats, 17.23% 4 seats, 23.48% Seats won 6 4 3 Seat change 1 1 1 Popular vote 4,045 2,621 2,213 Percentage 37.27% 24.15% 20.39% Swing 6.25pp 6.92pp 3.09pp   Fourth party Fifth party   Leader Linus Hoch Arne Gotti Party National Consolidation Liberal Leader since 1 May 2015 31 August 2010 Last election 1 seat, 10.30% 0 seats, 5.46% Seats won 1 1 Seat change 1 Popular vote 1,205 769 Percentage 11.10% 7.09% Swing 0.80pp 1.63pp
Minister-Chairman before election Johann Schöttmer Social Democratic Radical Minister-Chairman Johann Schöttmer Social Democratic Radical

The 9th Ostric regional election occurred on 5 June 2016. The governing Social Democratic Radical Party led by Johann Schöttmer remained in power, forming a minority coalition with the Ostric Liberal Party and with outside support from the conservative National Consolidation Party.

Background

In the previous election, Schöttmer's SRPO brought down the governing separatist Ostric Coalition-Ostric People's Party coalition, winning a record seven seats and forming a minority government with a supply and confidence agreement from the conservative National Consolidation Party.

Heading into the 2016 election, the SRPO remained ahead in polls, and was seen to be heading into a second term with relative ease, albeit with a lower share of the popular vote.

Electoral system

The electorate elects all fifteen members of the Dorada using single non-transferable vote in one island-wide multi-member constituency.

Results

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Social Democratic Radical Party	4,045	37.27	6	–1
	Ostric People's Party	2,621	24.15	4	+1
	Ostric Coalition	2,213	20.39	3	–1
	National Consolidation Party	1,205	11.10	1	0
	Ostric Liberal Party	769	7.09	1	+1
Total		10,853	100	15	0
Registered voters/turnout		16,223	66.90	–	–

Popular vote SRPO   37.27% ÒSL   24.15% KÒ   20.39% NKP   11.10% OLP   7.09%

Seats SRPO   40.00% ÒSL   26.67% KÒ   20.00% NKP   6.67% OLP   6.67%

Reactions

After the results were announced, Minister-Chairman Schöttmer stated that he would pursue a coalition with the re-emergent OLP, while renewing his former agreement of outside support with the NKP in order to secure a majority. The Ostric People's Party returned after sixteen years to second place, forcing Coalition leader Léch Kneller to face calls for his resignation, although he remained in control of his party afterwards.

Overall, observers noted that the popular vote and seat share between the unionist and separatist camps had stayed relatively stable in comparison to 2012, with many stating that Ostric voters were solidifying within the two blocs.