Balder

Introduction
The politics of Takegashii are noticeably different and radically unique, compared to many of its fellow constitutional monarchies. Many different political parties exist, yet all follow the democratic model. Because of an extensive history of democracy within the nation, stemming from a 19th-century revolution that overthrew the monarchy, any party that attempts to err from this pattern often finds itself sinking in the polls or swiftly banned.

With the exception of a few instances in which parties attempted to cancel or otherwise subvert elections, Takegashii has maintained a constant schedule of elections since the 18th century. The democratic model of the nation calls for elections to take place every 5 years for the Council of Ganwa, the executive council that runs the nation. The Council of Ganwa consists of 7 elected members. These elections coincide with national elections for the National Assembly, a 1,000-person elected legislature, and the new appointment of staff for the People's Assembly, a political agency that establishes public polls for each issue facing the nation. These polls function as the main arm of the Empire's system of direct democracy. The National Assembly generally cedes to public opinion, but on rare cases may overturn People's Assembly votes with a 60% supermajority vote.

Because the Council of Ganwa is significantly more powerful than the National Assembly, a majority in the Council of Ganwa is considered to be the ruling party, regardless of National Assembly composition. However, most actions taken by the Council of Ganwa can be overturned by a vote in the National Assembly, so maintaining good relations is often necessary.

The Parties
There are a total of 7 notable political parties in Takegashii, each with its own unique ideals. These parties are as follows:
The Socialist Party of Takegashii(SPT)
The Democratic League of Takegashii(DLT)
The House of Ministry(HM)
The League of the Republic(LR)
The New Country League(NCL)
The Communist Party of Takegashii(CPT)
The National Takegashii Party(NTP)
The Takegashiian Imperial Order(TIO)

Specificiations of each Party
The Socialist Party of Takegashii can most broadly be described as a party for socialists, but in reality, it contains many politicians all from different walks of life, from left-wing radicals, to social democrats, to more moderate communists. Espousing heavy welfare and healthcare programs paired with raised taxes and nonviolent foreign policy, the Socialist Party dedicates itself to the working class. Although rarely gathering the momentum to be able to win a majority in the Council of Ganwa, the Socialist Party has achieved a working majority in the National Assembly multiple times, and is responsible for the wide slate of social protections enacted by the government. To date, the SPT is one of the strongest collectors of the vote share, often hovering around 30%.

The Democratic League of Takegashii is a center-left internationalist party. They promote a greater use of diplomacy, demilitarization, expanded education and rehabilitation systems, lower tax rates, and market freedom for citizens. Following the disastrous 1956 economic crash known as the "Salted Years," the DLT won a supermajority in the National Assembly and the Council of Ganwa, briefly establishing itself as the strongest political organization. A series of neoliberal reforms, a decline in social network strength, and major high-profile corruption scandals led to their decline only 5 years later, but they are responsible for major Takegashiian policies, such as the establishment of a space program, and the legalization of private industry, which now represents over half of the Takegashiian economy. They regularly net around 10% of the vote share.

The House of Ministry is a tenacious political party, often securing at least one seat on the Council of Ganwa. It is regularly considered a centrist party, and is often described as a "big tent." Most of its appeal hinges on offering compromise candidates for voters who are dissatsified with the candidates put up by their main parties. Because of this electoral niche, the HM has a high favorability rating amongst the public as a whole, but often has little to no political power and rarely achieves large-scale reform or change. They tend to net around 5% of the vote, though this share is higher when specifically looking at elections for the Council of Ganwa.

The League of the Republic is a political party that is conservative and democratic. Described as right-wing to center-right, the party used to be a titan of Takegashiian democracy, but has declined in relevance over the years. It remains strong in many localities and regularly wins around 25% of the vote. They generally advocate for lower taxes, less welfare, and stricter border policies, as well as an end to affirmative action. They have increasingly struggled with attracting voters, due to much of their economic policy being absorbed by the DLT. Their social policies are popular with certain segments of the population, but aren't election winners. They at one point attempted to suspend Takegashiian elections, and were banned. However, after ten years, the ban was conditionally lifted, and they are now a normal political party, all restrictions having expired.

The New Country League is a political party mostly focused on infrastructural development and progressive social reform. Generally clustered in affluent city areas on the mercantile coast, as well as Takegashii's tech centers, they represent a more technocratic vision of the future, dominated by the newly rich and their associated corporate interests. They have generally trended more liberal ever since the election of 1970. Their electorate often has right-wing tendencies, however, which leads to a great deal of confusion and conflict between the party's wings. Regularly securing around 18% of the vote, the NCL is considered one of the major parties.

The Communist Party of Takegashii is the revolutionary party of Takegashii. Claiming itself as the representative party of the worker's revolution, they seek to install a strong, state-planned economy, a large agricultural sector, and a massive increase in industrial output. They also espouse extremely worker-friendly labor laws and better treatment of the common citizen via welfare. Although they were at one point the strongest left-wing party, the CPT has declined precipitously due to the growth of the more moderate SPT. They gain around 4% of the vote with each election, though due to many of their issues having been resolved by the SPT, they have steadily declined in power.

The National Takegashii Party is essentially the fascist party of Takegashii. Favoring a despotic-type government where the Minister of the State is the head of the country while the Emperor is the figurehead, they emphasize an expansion of the military and mandatory military service. They net around 7% of the vote in each election.

The Takegashiian Imperial Order is a royalist party, dedicated to the Imperial House and the Emperor. A minor, monarchist party, the TIO's flaghip issue is the restoration of the Imperial House to fundamental political power, superceding the Council of Ganwa. They have rarely polled over 1% and have never won a seat on the Council of Ganwa, but due to a few electoral strongholds in the southeast of the country, have always maintained at least one seat in the National Assembly.

Political Timeline

19th Century: Soil Revolution overthrows the Imperial House and establishes a Constitutional Monarchy, creating the National Assembly. The Imperial House is stripped of its assets and is relegated only to symbolic status, conditional upon total abstinence from politics. An executive council is formed and named after the historical council of a past Emperor, the Council of Ganwa. A caretaker regime is established, with elections to be held 3 years later, in 1870.

Election of 1870: The League of the Republic and the Democratic League of Takegashii are founded. Voting is restricted to wealthy landowners, though both sexes can vote, mainly at the insistence of a female leader of the Soil Revolution. The League of the Republic wins a supermajority in the National Assembly, with 678 seats to the DLT's 322. They also win every seat on the Council of Ganwa. They move the capital city of Takegashii to a major center of commerce on the southern coast and name it Takegashiija(lit. Takegashii City). The LR begins to promote the development of industry and begins the construction of railways between major cities.

Election of 1875: The House of Ministry is founded. The League of the Republic secures another supermajority, with 604 National Assembly seats. They pick up a supermajority of 5 Council of Ganwa seats, this time losing two to the DLT. Bipartisan proposals result in the formation of a new tax code, which severely taxes the lower classes while providing many loopholes for the upper classes. A rail linking Takegashiija and the old capital, Buja(lit. Great City), is completed. Textile factories grow rapidly in Takegashiija as a large industrial working class begins to form. The LR begins military modernization, spending significant sums of money on modern artillery and naval fortifications. The Nihe is established as the currency of the nation, replacing the outdated Tohei.

Election of 1880: The League of the Republic's supermajority shrinks, due to an effective campaign to steal 40 seats by the House of Ministry. The LR retains a majority with 564 seats. The LR regains control of the Council of Ganwa with a clean sweep of 7 seats. Having established a modern textile industry, the LR expands resource extraction industries in the northern part of the Takegashii homeland. Steel and fuel production increases sharply. The newspaper industry begins to expand, with the LR sponsoring the Buja Shim-pyo and the DLT sponsoring the Kingae Shim-pyo.

Election of 1885: The League of the Republic's majority shrinks further due to perceived inefficiency, as modernization efforts show less short-term progress. They secure 530 seats in the National Assembly, the rest being divided between the HM and DLT. The LR loses 3 Council seats to the DLT and 1 to the HM. The HM and DLT form a coalition to secure control of the Council. Reforms begin to slow as the LR is unwilling to negotiate with the ruling coalition, even as Exploitation of workers continues, and communist literature reaches Takegashii via trade routes with foreign nations. A burgeoning Communist movement begins to form.

Election of 1890: The Communist Party of Takegashii is founded and stands in the election. It wins 1 seat in the National Assembly. The LR regains control of the Council of Ganwa, gaining 3 seats back to again secure full control of the Council. The DLT and LR, concerned over the Communist Party gaining more power, close multiple polling stations in poorer regions. A massive public outcry results, and the Assembly leader of the DLT is assassinated after a bomb is thrown into his carriage. Elections are postponed by a year due to DLT protests over having to reorganize.

Election of 1896: The LR improves on its performance and wins a supermajority in the National Assembly with 654 seats, and maintains its complete control over the Council of Ganwa. However, the Communist Party gains 30 Assembly seats. The LR is able to pass all of its agenda with impunity, but paranoia grows over the rising influence of the Communists. Fears among the elite are exacerbated when a high-profile accident at a steel factory leaves hundreds disfigured and 15 dead. Public opinion swings sharply against the LR as voters blame them for instability.

Election of 1900: The DLT secures a majority in the National Assembly, with 534 seats, and wins a majority on the Council of Ganwa with 4 seats to the LR's 3. The DLT passes a series of token reforms, including limiting working hours and requiring factory owners to invest in basic safety equipment. Child labor is limited to 4 hours per day, but reforms are generally ignored and, in some cases, openly violated by factory owners. Public opinion responds well to the DLT, and a large social activist wing forms.

Election of 1905: The DLT wins a supermajority in the National Assembly with 601 votes, but control of the Council of Ganwa remains the same. The DLT continues to engage in a series of reforms, and benefits from economic modernization efforts passed nearly 25 years prior. Takegashii begins to fully industrialize, and migration to cities increases sharply, bolstering the suffrage movement. Suffrage is expanded, with all citizens being given the right to vote, by a new Voting Rights Law. The Takegashiija Shim-pyo becomes the first left-wing newspaper to garner over a million readers throughout the country.

Election of 1910: The DLT continues its wins, though its supermajority shrinks to a majority of 534 seats due to voter fatigue. However, they strengthen control of the Council of Ganwa, gaining 2 more seats to have 6 seats to the LR's 1. The Civil Rights Law is passed, granting compehensive protections to ethnic and racial minorities within Takegashii. A Worker Rights Law passes shortly after, and the first public tram system is constructed in Takegashiija. Military spending is slightly cut in order to pay for a new welfare program, and public opinion slips after a high-ranking general makes a public condemnation of Takegashii's military readiness.

Election of 1915: The League of the Republica secures a razor-thin majority in the National Assembly with 501 votes. They do not win the Council of Ganwa, gaining 1 seat for a total of 2. For the first time in history, the Communist Party wins a Council of Ganwa election, electing two Councillors. Council composition is 2 LR, 3 DLT, 2 CPT. The Civil Rights Law is repealed by the LR's Assembly majority, but it is blocked by the Council. Little legislation passes due to the stalemate, though economic growth continues.

Election of 1920: The Socialist Party of Takegashii is founded and stands in the election. The Democratic League of Takegashii wins a majority of 503 seats, and is joined in an "Unofficial Coalition" by the CPT and SPT. The Socialist Party wins a seat on the Council of Ganwa, and establishment politicians sound the alarm as a progressive wave begins to sweep the nation, though this is dismissed as paranoia by most. Council composition is 1 LR, 3 DLT, 1 HM, 1 CPT, and 1 SPT. The DLT passes many small scale reforms and puts a pro-business slate of new regulations up to vote. Three days before the vote is held, another major steel factory incident occurs, and the DLT reverses course and attempts to pass tighter regulations. SPT and CPT politicians boycott the vote as a blatant act of political opportunism, and the LR and HM refuse to vote due to disagreements on policy. DLT politicians revolt and remove their Assembly leader, but no single wing of the DLT amasses enough power to replace him. The DLT cycles through 6 Assembly leaders in 2 years, and pundits predict a blowout in the next election.

Election of 1925: The Socialist Party of Takegashii wins a majority in the National Assembly with 502 seats, and 3 seats on the Council of Ganwa, shocking the political establishment. The DLT retains 2 seats on the Council as the LR picks up another, leaving the composition as 3 SPT, 2 LR, 2 DLT. The DLT and LR form a ruling coalition to block the SPT. The SPT puts up an endless stream of popular policies up to vote, forcing the ruling coalition to have to block every one. Momentum builds for the SPT, and pundits openly talk of the possibility of a ruling Socialist party by 1930.

Election of 1930: For the first time in Takegashiian history, a party that is not the LR or DLT wins a ruling majority on the Council of Ganwa. The Socialist Party wins 504 seats in the National Assembly and 4 seats on the Council of Ganwa, the DLT having lost both of its seats. Council composition is now 4 SPT, 2 LR, 1 HM. The Socialist Party passes worker rights reform and reforms the tax code, but infighting prevents them from passing more comprehensive reforms.

Election of 1935: Many Socialist voters defect to the House of Ministry, having been disillusioned and having won their core issues. The Socialist Party secures a majority of 502 seats in the National Assembly, but loses its majority on the Council of Ganwa. For the second election in a row, a non-LR or DLT party secures a majority as HM wins 3 more seats. Council composition is 4 HM, 2 LR, and 1 DLT. Despite prommises that the HM would not form a coalition, in order to oppose Socialist assemblymembers, the HM forms a coalition with the LR and DLT. Chaos ensues as the progressive movement falls apart, having achieved only a few of its policy goals. A conservative wave is predicted for the next election. A slate of welfare reforms is passed, and Takegashiija achieves the milestone of having over a million inhabitants.

Election of 1940: The League of the Republic, true to predictions, wins a majority in the National Assembly, with 562 seats. The Council of Ganwa also breaks in their favor, as they win 4 seats, the rest being divided up amongst the opposition, with 1 SPT, 1 DLT, and 1 HM seat. The League slowly but surely scales back previous progressive reforms, but finds themselves in the unenviable position of having built their coalition in opposition to what were quite popular reforms. Mildly scaling back workers rights and some progressive aspects of the tax code, the LR angers both its more conservative wing and leftist voters, putting it in a weak position going into 1945. Private radio stations overtake public ones to become the main drivers of national entertainment and connection.

Election of 1945: The Kingae Shim-pyo releases a bombshell report on LR leadership, revealing that the LR's Assembly Leader and Party Whip had knowingly colluded to commute the sentences of white-collar criminals in exchange for donations, as well as selling low-ranking administrative positions to moneyed applicants. The scandal leads to a LR wipeout, with the DLT picking up a majority in the National Assembly of 572 seats, and gaining 3 more seats on the Council of Ganwa. Council composition is 4 DLT, 1 SPT, 1 LR, and 1 HM. The DLT reverses many of the LR changes, but does not go so far as adding more reforms. This cautious approach succeeds in signaling political stability, and the economy enters a boom cycle. The home appliance industry increases in size as Takegashii officially finishes its process of becoming a developed nation.

Election of 1950: Piggybacking off of their economic success, the DLT retains a majority, though it shrinks to 545 seats as electoral fatigue begins to set in. The Council splits 4 DLT, 1 SPT, and 2 LR. The DLT expands cultural protections for historic festivals and monuments, and begins subsidizing high-technology industries within Takegashiija. The first subway system is opened under Takegashiija, and similar systems around the country begin to be constructed. The tram system is preserved due to historical value.

Election of 1955: As the pendulum swings back, the League of the Republic wins a majority of 524 seats in the National Assembly, and 2 more seats on the Council of Ganwa. Council composition is 4 LR, 3 DLT. They begin a massive program of tax cuts and cull many industry regulations, which economists have linked to the "Salt Years" crash, which occurred just one year later. The crash distances the LR from the public, and their popularity drops to record lows. Party chair Dae Ichiro, in a last-ditch attempt to cling to power, orders a complete suspension of Takegashiian elections. A massive campaign of pro-democracy protests successfully causes an internal coup within the LR, which votes to imprison the Chair. Despite this, the party remains severely unpopular, and unemployment skyrockets.

Election of 1960: The Democratic League of Takegashii seizes a supermajority in the National Assembly with 602 seats, and wins 6 of the 7 seats on the Council of Ganwa, the other being won by the NCL. They continue to cut regulations and taxes on industry, and promote privatization of state-owned industries. They pass a complete banning of the LR, and suspend all political activity related to the League. While initially popular, a cut to universal basic income to finance stimulus spending results in the public losing faith in the party over time. A campaign finance scandal revealing that the DLT had not disclosed millions of dollars in funding from prospective business tycoons further hurts the party's reputation.

Election of 1965: The Socialist Party of Takegashii wins a supermajority, the second time in a row a party has won a supermajority from a ruling party, with 605 seats in the National Assembly. They secure 5 seats on the Council of Ganwa, with the DLT retaining 1, the NCL losing their seat, and the HM winning 1. The Socialist Party forms a governing coalition with HM. The SPT massively increases social spending and funds these programs with taxes on wealthy corporations. Though this exacerbates unemployment, a rise in state industries and government spending helps kickstart economic growth. The SPT experiences a brief trough of unpopularity that recovers to election levels in time for 1970.

Election of 1970: The Socialist Party of Takegashii retains a majority in the National Assembly, declining to 536 seats. They retain all 5 seats on the Council of Ganwa, with NCL stealing the lone DLT seat as other seats remain unchanged. The governing coalition expands to include the NCL, who are eager to capitalize off of the SPT's popularity. Economic growth begins to stabilize at a slower rate than pre-1956, but income inequality rapidly shrinks as well. State socialization of healthcare is enacted, resulting in a rapid growth of healthcare coverage. The League of the Republic is conditionally reinstated as a political party. A high-speed railway is constructed between Takegashiija and Buja, with more stations planned and approved by local cities.

Election of 1975: The Socialist Party of Takegashii retains a majority in the National Assembly, with 523 seats. They lose 3 seats on the Council of Ganwa, which are picked up by a now-revived DLT, resulting in a 2 SPT, 3 DLT, 1 HM, and 1 NCL composition for the Council. Their governing coalition retains control, but pundits believe the declining fortunes of the SPT signals a weakening in political power. Tax increases during their tenure are blamed for their relative decline. Reforms are still carried out, but SPT rhetoric suffers as the political environment shifts to make them the establishment. The economy stagnates. Better healthcare leads to a massive increase in the population, and birth rates skyrocket.

Election of 1980: The SPT falls out of power in the National Assembly, completing a 15-year decline. The DLT barely ekes out a majority with 501 of 1000 seats in the National Assembly. They do not gain a seat on the Council of Ganwa, while the SPT loses a seat to the LR, resulting in a 3 DLT, 1 SPT, 1 LR, 1 HM, and 1 NCL composition for the Council. The DLT forms a governing coalition with the LR and the HM, with the SPT and NCL refusing cooperation. Minor scalebacks in public transit and welfare occur, but the DLT, breaking a campaign promise, continues raising taxes to fund social programs. The economy picks back up and continues growth.

Election of 1985: The DLT loses its majority, but no one party wins a majority in the National Assembly. With the largest share, the SPT continues its coalition with the NCL, and takes the CPT into its coalition to form a majority. The DLT retains its majority on the Council of Ganwa, this time winning an outright majority with 4 seats. Council composition is 4 DLT, 1 LR, 1 SPT, 1 NCL. Few major policies are passed, but the SPT pushes for the codification of same-sex marriage, which although not a crime, had not been legally recognized. The DLT acquiesces in exchange for concessions on further tax cuts. Economic growth resumes at a slow but steady pace.

Election of 1990: The party composition of the National Assembly barely changes, with the SPT-NCL-CPT coalition picking up five seats. The DLT loses its outright majority as it declines back to 3 seats, resulting in a 2 SPT, 1 NCL, 3 DLT, 1 LR composition. A massive increase in welfare spending begins, alongside major subsidization of public transit and healthcare. Many Takegashiian citizens enjoy a greater standard of living as the SPT and DLT agree to start massive public utilities modernization campaigns. In what is hailed as a landmark legislative achievement, Takegashiian politicians agree to establish a third branch of the government, the People's Assembly, to provide public referendums on most issues facing the nation.

Election of 1995: No party wins an outright majority for the third election cycle in a row, but the SPT and DLT both enjoy greater electoral success as a result of popular policy changes. The SPT loses a seat on the Council of Ganwa to the HM after a sexual harassment scandal tanks one of their candidates, with the lone seat being picked up by the HM for a 1 SPT, 1 NCL, 3 DLT, 1 LR, 1 HM Council composition. In 1996, a series of high-profile lynchings of transgender people in Takegashiija lead to a comprehensive civil rights law being passed. The issue causes a schism in the SPT that splits the party between a progressive(SPT-P) and moderate(SPT-M) wing, both of which stand for election separately.

Election of 2000: As the turn of the century arrives, the SPT-M wing supercedes the SPT-P wing, though combined, the two do not do much better than average. The Council of Ganwa's composition changes again, with 1 SPT-P, 2 SPT-M, 1 NCL, 1 DLT, and 2 LR councillors. For the fourth time in a row, no party wins an outright majority, heralding the arrival of the multipolar Assembly. Major modernizations are continued in utilities, and Takegashiija's population doubles within five years. High-rises and skyscrapers are approved and built at a record pace, and Takegashiija soon has a population density 25 times greater than the national average. A repeal of the 1996 Civil Rights Law is filed by the Council, but it fails in the Assembly. A large video game production industry begins to establish itself within Takegashiija and the neighboring, satellite city of Rija.

Election of 2005: Following contentious negotations, the two wings of the SPT agree to merge back into a singular party, appointing a compromise candidate, Buro Jae, as their Assembly leader. Buro Jae proves to be more adept than expected, and leads the SPT to a comfortable 413 seats in the National Assembly, which combined with NCL votes, gives the SPT a majority. In the Council of Ganwa, the composition is 2 SPT, 1 NCL, 2 DLT, 1 LR, and 1 HM. The SPT and NCL coalition makes overtures to the HM to form a ruling coalition, but they decline, and as a result, policy stagnates. However, significant progress is made in infrastructure spending, and the Takegashiija subway system is modernized.

Election of 2010: The SPT puts up an unimpressive performance, and declines to 312 seats; the SPT-NCL coalition loses control of the National Assembly. The Council of Ganwa's composition is 2 SPT, 1 NCL, 1 HM, 2 LR, and 1 NTP. No party is able to form a ruling coalition, earning this period the name of the "Wild Years." It is also the first time in history the NTP wins a Council seat. A surprising amount of legislation is passed, but most of it is not necessarily important. Maeru Zoh becomes the first leader of a major political party to not be born in Takegashii. Rija is absorbed as a satellite city into Takegashiija, establishing the Greater Takegashiija Metropolitan Area.

Election of 2015: The National Assembly sees the NCL pick up more seats than any other party, but no party wins a majority. Control is re-gained by the SPT-NCL coalition, which wields 324 and 189 seats, respectively. The Council of Ganwa sees its first homosexual councillor elected, Lee Paero. The Council's composition is 2 SPT, 1 NCL, 2 LR, 2 DLT. A landmark housing bill seeks to streamline affordable housing construction. A mass shooting in the National Assembly building that kills 2 Assemblymembers and over 50 staff members leads to the passage of a comprehensive gun control law.

Election of 2020: High spirits leading into the 150th anniversary of Takegashii's first election do not translate into any party winning a majority. The Council of Ganwa's composition remains the same, and although major tax reforms are enacted to further penalize the rich, few major policies are enacted in this time period. The Greater Takegashiija Metropolitan Area expands to include the suburban city of Puja.

Election of 2025: True to form, no singular party wins a majority in the National Assembly. The Council of Ganwa's composition is mildly changed, with 3 SPT, 1 NCL, 2 LR, 1 DLT, and 1 HM. The ruling coalition begins work on integrating Takegashii further into the international order and maintaining economic growth at home.