Italian General Election of 2063
The were numerous concerns on the minds of Italian voters coming into the polls in 2063. Terrorism was a major issue, with the July 2062 bombings still prominent in the minds of many. Secession was another. The
Lega Nord (LN), while nowhere near their 2043 peak, were growing in strength, once again threatening an UDI if calls for a referendum went unanswered. Corruption was a major third, with many concern with the government's accommodations with
Le Decine, as well the influence of the Zentrum and the European Union.
The
Civil Democratic Party (PDC) saw that its support was shaky, even within its own governing alliance.
Common Good (BC), the alliance's left flank, was growing discontented with the current situation and the inability of the PDC to handle the permanent state of crisis.
Our Party (PN), once hegemonic in the South, also saw its grip weakening, with anger at
Le Decine's role in the bombings still salient. Taking advantage of this institutional weakness was
Social Politic (PS), Italy's major synthesis Marxist party. PS leaders were able to weld together a vision of a new society together with propositions to put a stop to corruption and violence. Electing "better" leaders was not enough to end these problems, as the failure of the
5 Star Party (5SP) and the CDP had shown Italians in the past. Rather, participatory politics and economic democracy would be able to ensure that all Italians had plenty, and that peace could reign on the peninsula.
While the election was not a watershed moment, the PS's rise showed the cracks in Zenturm hegemony. The CDP's alliance was forced to form a coalition with PN's alliance in order to form a majority in the Chamber of Deputies. While the CDP had been able to govern as either a majority or minority government for the last decade, even under the reformed Italian election system, the PN demanded a spot in government, fearing that the CDP would turn against the mafia in order to secure public approval. Both the leaders and membership of BC were furious at the accommodation, as the party had made anti-corruption measures a key part of their agreement with the PDC. Disgusted, in 2065 the BC held an internal referendum on which alliance to associate with in the 2068 elections.
Results of the 1st Round
Hope & Change: 46.7%
Diginity & Reason: 21.6%
Real Alternatives: 15.3%
*New Alliance*: 12.1%
For the Nation: 4.3%
Results of the 2nd Round
Hope & Change: 63.2%
Diginity & Reason: 36.8%
While Common Good promised to continue its term as a faithful member of the government, it would no longer associate with the Post-Liberals, and instead would seek an agreement with the Marxists. The PS confirmed that negotiations were underway, and going well. Poll numbers for both parties increased significantly, with the PDC's plummeting.
On December 13th, 2065, 13:15, three months after the second round results had been announced, a bomb exploded in the BC headquarters in Rome, collapsing half the building and killing 93 BC leaders and staffers. While security forces rebuffed public inquiry into the investigation, there was little doubt who was responsible.
It was going to be a long two years...