Liberal Party of Saint-Castin

Liberal Party of Saint-Castin Parti libéral de Saint-Castin
Leader	Vacant
Founder	M.Trepanier
Founded	September 2014 (2014-09)
Ideology	Liberalism Economic liberalism Red Tory Third Way
Political position	Centre-right
LMCU Affiliation	Liberty and Democracy
Colors
Nekaussei	1 / 5

The Liberal Party of Saint-Castin (French: Parti libéral de Saint-Castin) is a political party in the Newgraviate of Saint-Castin.

It stands as the oldest political party in Saint-Castin. It was founded in September 2014 by M. Trépanier. Emerging onto the political scene, the party played a pivotal role in shaping the legislative landscape during the 2016 election. Actively contributing to the enactment of crucial laws aimed at reforming the functionality and electoral system of the Legislative Council, the Liberals forged the "Mamu" coalition with the Castinian Labour Party. However, governance challenges prompted a separation, casting the Liberals into opposition alongside the Social Credit Party.

In the 2018 Electoral Referendum, the party, staunchly advocating a center-right liberal stance, secured 18% of the votes but now stands as the primary opposition force. The Liberal Party is adhering to principles of free trade, individual rights, and a market-oriented economy, actively contributing to the democratic dialogue in Saint-Castin.

History

2016 Election

In the lead-up to the 2016 election, the Liberal Party of Saint-Castin played a proactive role in shaping the legislative landscape. The party contributed significantly to the enactment of a pivotal law aimed at reforming the functionality and electoral system of the Legislative Council. This transformative reform marked a departure from the Westminster-inspired model to embrace a proportional electoral system. Crucially, discussions between the Labour and Liberal parties centered on forging a coalition, driven by the shared goal of securing a decisive victory in the upcoming 19 December elections. This collaborative effort was in harmony with Prime Minister Dominic Desaintes' vision of achieving a majority mandate that genuinely reflected the collective will of the Castinian populace.

On 27 October 2016, the official establishment of the "Mamu" coalition between the Castinian Labour Party and the Liberal Party under Prime Minister Desaintes' leadership marked a significant milestone. The campaign slogan, "Governing Saint-Castin together," struck a chord with the electorate, propelling the Mamu list to a resounding victory. With 4 out of 5 seats secured in the Legislative Council, this triumph ensured Prime Minister Desaintes' continued tenure as Minister President for a two-year term. The formation of this coalition signaled the beginning of a government with ambitious financial goals from the Liberal perspective.

Sole Liberal Representation in Government

Following their electoral success, the Mamu coalition, predominantly led by the Labour Party, encountered governance challenges in the initial month, necessitating intervention by the Regent. In 2017, responding strategically to the internal crisis, the Legislative Council implemented a nomination system. The Regent's involvement aimed at fostering stability and mitigating partisan policies resulted in communication challenges due to reappointments and a reduction in council positions to 5.

Regrettably, the collaboration between the Liberal and Labour parties unraveled after just three months of governance, driven by cooperation issues and the realization that only one Liberal councillor occupied a seat in the Legislative Council. Despite this separation, the Labour Party, holding 3 out of 5 seats in the Legislative Council, continued to maintain a majority, leaving the Liberals on the sidelines in terms of representation. Subsequently, the Liberal Party found itself in the opposition alongside the Social Credit Party of Saint-Castin in the Legislative Council.

2018 Electoral Referendum

During the 2018 Electoral Referendum held on 29 October, Saint-Castin witnessed a diverse political landscape reflecting the varied ideologies within the community. The Castinian Labour Party, positioned at the center-left, secured significant support with nearly 73% of the votes, establishing a commanding presence. In contrast, the Liberal Party, advocating a center-right liberal stance, garnered 18% of the votes, underscoring the diversity of political perspectives. The conservative local Social Credit Party secured 8% of the votes, contributing to the range of voices in the electoral process.

As a result, three councillors from the Castinian Labour Party and one from the Catholic Workers' Party, a party included in the Castinian Labour Party's presented list, were appointed to the Legislative Council. This decision was made out of the 5 available positions by Neugrave Louis-Philippe 1st.

Acknowledging the outcomes, the Liberal Party, while standing as the main opposition party once again, continues to adhere to its commitment to a strong center-right liberal ideology. Embracing its role within the democratic process, the party remains dedicated to constructive contributions and upholding its core values in the service of the people of Saint-Castin.

Second Mandate in Opposition

Throughout the Liberal Party of Saint-Castin's second term as the primary opposition representative, the party staunchly upheld a robust center-right liberal stance. This period was characterized by heightened debates within the Legislative Council, focusing on diplomacy, exchanges, and administrative reforms. While maintaining continuity, the Liberals actively championed significant changes, playing a pivotal role in drafting a new constitution and advocating for a defense and diplomatic policy centered on peaceful conflict resolution, aligning with their commitment to ensuring the sustainable development of the Castinian state. Notably, the party emphasized its dedication to complete secularism, distinguishing itself from the Labour’s minor coalition partner, the Catholic Workers' Party, which leaned toward social Christian values.

First Emergency Law

A notable event during this tenure was the introduction of the First Emergency Law on 22 October 2019. Led by Dominic Desaintes and Jacob Donaldson, the bill aimed at implementing emergency measures, including the creation of the drachma for economic stability during a global crisis. Despite being accepted on 4 January 2020, the Liberal Party vehemently opposed the idea of granting the Minister of Defence the authority to declare emergency measures.

Role in the Adoption of the 2020 Constitution

The Liberal Party played a pivotal role in the adoption of the 2020 Constitution, initially resisting the call for a constitutional referendum by Marshal Jacob Donaldson. However, after negotiations, the party became an ally to the proposed constitutional changes. This transformation turned the Castinian State into a parliamentary monarchy, initially met with opposition from the Liberal Party but eventually supported after careful negotiation.

Marie-Philippe's Accession

Following the demise of Louis-Philippe 1st, the Newgravine Marie-Philippe assumed office in January 2021, ensuring a respectful transition that maintained continuity in the political leadership of the Castinian Labour Party and once again placing the Liberal Party of Saint-Castin in the opposition.

Monetary Integration and Defence Policies

In terms of monetary integration, the Liberal Party maintained a firm critical stance on the Labour Party's collaboration with Bérémagne to establish a common currency, the Laurentian Piastre. Additionally, the Liberals expressed reservations about the professionalization of the Castinian Newgravial Defense Forces and the implementation of humanitarian and strategic defense policies, led jointly with the Catholic Workers Party.

Ongoing Discussions and Projected Electoral Referendum for 2024

In early April 2024, discussions within the Laurentian Micronational Cooperative Union witnessed the active engagement of the Liberal Party of Saint-Castin with center-right parties and interest groups from Bérémagne and Sancratosia. As a projected electoral referendum for 2024 approaches, ongoing negotiations within the Legislative Council focus on potential changes in regional distribution. The Liberal Party remains steadfastly involved, representing its strong center-right liberal perspective and actively contributing to the democratic dialogue in Saint-Castin.

Principles and policies

The Liberal Party of Saint-Castin firmly aligns itself with the liberal principle of free trade, proudly occupying a prominent position as a center-right political force within the castinian political spectrum.

At the heart of the party's ideology lies a deep commitment to individual rights, asserting that every person possesses inherent fundamental rights that precede any collective association. The party staunchly defends the freedom of expression, advocating for a society where individuals can openly express their views without fear of censorship or undue interference.

In the economic domain, the Liberal Party champions center-right liberal policies, emphasizing the importance of private initiative, free competition, and a market-oriented economy. This approach underscores the party's belief in fostering an environment conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation, where businesses can thrive through fair competition, driving economic growth and prosperity.

Despite its unwavering commitment to these principles, the Liberal Party currently finds itself in the role of the main opposition party. Undaunted by this position, the party remains dedicated to advancing its strong center-right liberal perspective, actively contributing to the democratic dialogue and striving to represent the diverse views and values of the people of Saint-Castin.

Electoral history

The Liberal Party of Saint-Castin

Election	Leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position
2016	—	N/A	%	1 / 5	—	Majority government Coalition with Labour Party
2018	—	N/A	%	1 / 5	—	Opposition

Party leadership

Portrait	Name	Term start	Term end	Term length	Date of birth and age	Notes
	M. Trepanier

External links

• Webpage about Castinian political parties