54th Government of Alsland
54th Government of the Federal Republic of Alsland | |
|---|---|
 54th Cabinet of Federal Republic of Alsland | |
 | |
| Date formed | 10 November 2023 |
| People | |
| Head of state | President Hepke Veltman |
| Head of government | Liekele Ykema (LA) |
| Deputy head of government | Deputy Premiers Kairi Sokk (RB) Elsert Wassenaar (ORP) Hilda Schaaf (HSU) Its Zandstra (NB) Reni de Wit (LA) |
| No. of ministers | Premier + 15 ministers |
| Total no. of members | 16 |
| Member party | 41 / 201 Liveable Alsland (LA)23 / 201 National Bloc (NB)20 / 201 Orange Party (ORP)15 / 201 Humanist Sotirian Union (HSU)14 / 201 Radical Movement (RB)
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| Status in legislature | Majority government 113 / 201 |
| Opposition cabinet | None |
| History | |
| Election(s) | 2022 election |
| Legislature term(s) | 2022–2026 term |
| Predecessor | 53rd Government of Alsland |
| Successor | 55th Government of Alsland |
54th Government of Alsland (also known as the fourth Ykema cabinet) was formed after the 2023 political crisis in Alsland. It is comprised of 15 ministers including the Premier, Liekele Ykema.
History
Background
Shortly after the initial results were released from the 2022 Alslandic legislative election, Radical Movement and Liveable Alsland announced their intention to enter a rotation coalition with each other to pursue constitutional reforms. The two parties initially went into talks with the Orange Party to form a right-wing government led by Kairi Sokk. The talks were abandoned after the onset of the 2022 Alslandic financial crisis and instead talks shifted towards forming a national unity government. After a marathon meeting involving all major party leaders Kairi Sokk recommended to President Hepke Veltman to invite Liekele Ykema to form a government. Ykema agreed to lead the government shortly afterwards with the support of the Radical Movement, Orange Party, Humanist Sotirian Union and Progressive Alliance. The following government began to implement austerity figures to reduce the Alslandic public debt and were successful in negotiating a bailout agreement with the Euclean Community to avoid Alsland defaulting on its debt. Ideological differences between the parties culminated in its collapse as moderate and radical members of the Orange Party were unable to agree on a plan moving forward which resulted in the party beginning to split between the two factions. The Progressive Alliance also refused to re-enter government stating they had fundamental disagreements with how austerity was being implemented and disliked the inclusion of right-wing elements in the government.
Investiture
| Investiture Liekele Ykema (LA) | ||
| Ballot → | 10 November 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Required majority → | 101 out of 201 
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113 / 201
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74 / 201
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14 / 201
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| Sources: Folkssenaat | ||
Platform for Recovery
The Platform for Recovery (Dellish: Platfoarm foar herstel, Martish: Taastamise platvorm), is the primary coalition agreement reached by the parties to work to rebuild the Alslandic economy, restore trust in the political system and prepare Alsland for the future. The platform commits the government to reversing austerity measures when the time is right and to ensure the economy is reformed and prepared for this eventuality. The platform states that introducing a Weranian-style Social market economy, commonly referred to by the government as the Wiesstadt Model, should be pursued by the government pointing to its successes with the Weranian economy and maintaining a high standard of living for citizens. The government also committed itself to modernising Alsland to become a global leader in the technology and financial sectors levels.
The 2023 coalition agreement set out a list of policies that should be introduced within a year of the coalition government being formed:
- Introducing the 'digital resident' concept, allowing foreign business owners, digital entrepreneurs and other so called 'economically beneficial digital nomads' to apply for e-residency.
- Beginning the creation of 'special investment zones' for domestic and international businesses to invest in and promote the local economy in exchange for a lesser tax burden.
- Expansion of infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy sector with a focus on green energy sources such as hydroelectric, wind and solar sources with the immediate goal of enabling Alsland to rely solely on carbon neutral energy sources for at least 14 consecutive days initially. Expanding internet penetration particularly in rural areas is also a priority.
- Introducing the National Renewal Project to expand physical infrastructure links, construct more affordable housing, expand rail transport in Alsland with the goal of doubling Alsland's high-speed rail capacity, allowing workers when able to 'digitally commute', expand support for rural or isolated communities with the goal of encouraging remote workers to move out of major urban areas.
- Introduce a 4-day work-week based upon the Scovernois model.
- Rewriting the Alslandic constitution following the failed 2022-23 Alslandic constitutional reform attempt, with the goal being to create a representative government fit for the future.
- Expansion of conscription for young people by allowing more means of alternative service such as protecting natural parks and wildlife, community outreach programmes and giving young people the skills needed for the modern world.
- Boosting cooperation with Valduvia and the Euclean Community and expanding Alsland's role as a connection hub between the eastern and western worlds.
- Increase government transparency and accountability by giving registered voters a greater say in how the state is ran through consultive referendums.
Composition
Government
Certain aspects from the previous government which were deemed to have worked well were continued into the 54th cabinet. The Minister of Finance was granted emergency powers under the 2023 economic management law to make extensive changes to the economy after consultation with Cabinet and a Folkssenaat committee. Former investment banker and political protégé of Liekele Ykema, Reni de Wit subsequently was appointed as Finance Minister. Kairi Sokk was reappointed as Foreign Affairs Minister after having previously resigned in March citing policy disputes, Sokk would return to her position as co-leader within the Radical Party as part of the coalition agreement and have a major role in domestic reform as well.
