Popular Front (Namor)
Popular Front | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President-General of Namor | Antelope Shohai |
| Founded | October 5, 2014 |
| Ideology | Left-wing nationalism Communism |
| Political position | Center-left to Left |
| Colors | Blue |
| Central Council | 1,499 / 2,549
|
| Premierships | 5 / 9
|
| Autonomous Presidencies | 2 / 9
|
| Governorships | 59 / 91
|
The Popular Front (PF, Namorese: Иминджинсен) is an Namorese electoral alliance consisting of the three largest left-wing parties in the country - the Democratic Socialist Party, Liberationist Party and Socialist Party.
The PF was established months ahead of the 2015 presidential election by the DemSocs, Liberationists and Socialists as a show of unity against the ruling New Democrats. The three parties agreed to hold a common presidential primary where a single candidate is nominated to represent the PF as a whole, while the nominee agreed to include members of all three parties in his cabinet if he won the general election. The parties also agreed to cooperate in the legislative election.
In January 2015 , the Popular Front nominated Liberationist Party leader Antelope Shohai as its presidential candidate, who went on to win the general election with 59.5% of the popular vote. Currently, the Popular Front controls most seats in the Central Council and most governorships in Namor Proper.
History
As the 2015 general election neared, many left-wing politicians voiced support for an alliance to defeat the New Democratic Party, which had been in government for nearly a decade. Leading these calls was Liberationist leader Antelope Shohai, who on August 9, 2014 said "If someone from each [leftist] party gets nominated and runs, the New Democrats will definitely have a better chance of maintaining control of the Executive House. Since we swore that will not happen next year, we should take all actions necessary to consolidate our votes and form a united front."
In September 1, 2014, Democratic Socialist party leader Namsa Singho announced his candidacy for President-General. In a move that led to speculations that an alliance between leftist parties was unlikely, Namsa refused to endorse Antelope unless he rescinded his support for the Nari Pipeline agreed between Namor and Riro. Later, the DemSocs moderated their stance on the pipeline, allowing members to support construction so long as the government ensured it would be sustainable. The pipeline no longer became an impediment to interparty talks after the Central Council voted in favor of its construction.
The Popular Front was officially established in October 5, 2014, between the Liberationist, Democratic Socialist and Socialist parties. The parties agreed to hold a nationwide primary and an interparty convention in January 2015 to nominate a candidate who would represent the alliance as a whole. All due-paying members of the three parties were allowed to vote. Ultimately, Antelope Shohai of the Liberationists was nominated with 45% of the vote. During the convention, all parties pledged to support Antelope in the post-primary stage of the election; in turn, Antelope pledged to include members of all PF parties in his cabinet if he won the presidency.
Antelope Shohai won a landslide victory in the presidential election with 59.5% of the popular vote. In the legislative election, the Popular Front parties altogether won 1,499 seats, gaining full control of the Central Council.
Political positions
Economic policy
The Popular Front "acknowledges and accepts the benefits of economic liberalization," but asserts that the economic policy under Fu Wen is a deviation from that of past left-wing President-Generals, namely Antelope Gelai and Alicia Wolf, who "understood how to maintain a balance between economic needs and popular needs." The PF charges the New Democrats of pursuing a policy of "capitalism without compassion" and promises an economic agenda of its own that takes into consideration the needs of various segments of society, including the working class, elderly and low-income families.
Fiscal policy
The Popular Front supports progressive taxation, viewing the flat tax as detrimental to equality.
Minimum wage
The PF supports a national minimum wage that will satisfy workers' basic life necessities and the strengthening of appropriate mechanisms to enforce minimum wage laws.
Trade agreements
Compared with the pro-trade NDP, the PF is relatively protectionist, holding the position that any trade agreement should not jeopardize Namorese jobs and workers. However, the PF supports most existing trade agreements, including ANFTA and AAECNA.
Social policy
Environment
The PF supports greater regulation as a means of sustaining the environment. It is in favor of cutting carbon emissions, building more green belts and a gradual reliance on alternative energy, namely solar and hydroelectric power. It has called on world leaders to convene in an international summit to address climate change.
Healthcare
Arguing that the right to affordable healthcare is a human right, the PF opposes any move that may make healthcare less affordable for citizens, especially the poor. It supports the Common Medical Care System and has called on the program to be expanded to increase affordability.
Education
The PF considers public education to be "the cornerstone of Namorese society" and supports increased funding to public education. While the PF supports the existence of private schools, it argues that students should not prefer private schools over public ones under normal circumstances.
Ethnic minorities
The PF supports the continuation of affirmative action programs, such as the Ethnic Minorities Benefits Act (EMBA), that are intended to elevate the social and economic status of ethnic minorities in Namorese society. It also supports programs aimed at preserving the distinct cultures of ethnic minority groups while forging an ethnically inclusive Namorese national identity.
Foreign policy
Cenba
The Popular Front supports continued Namorese participation in Cenba, calling the military alliance "central to Namorese and regional security." It considers a Namorese withdrawal from Cenba unhelpful, as it deprives Namor of protection from neighboring threats, hostile governments and non-state actors alike. The PF has called for reforms within the alliance, both to strengthen Cenba's capability of addressing present security challenges and to improve public perceptions of the alliance.
Luziyca
The Popular Front supports "mutually beneficial relations" with Luziyca. It has accused the New Democrats of disregarding Namorese national interests while pursuing Namo-Luziycan détente and supports an alternate approach in dealing with Bethlehem.