After election shrouded in controversy and debate, FRS is currently set to hold on to the position of WA Delegate and become the first WA Delegate to be re-elected, albeit unopposed.
In November, FRS stood unopposed for the position of WA Delegate and was approved by the region on a turnout of 7, with 5 in favour, 1 abstention and 1 against (FRS).
However, just 2 months later, FRS has been forced to fight for the role despite no challenge from the PSD or TNO. Initially, only 1 nation was in favour, with 4 abstentions and 2 against.
At that stage of the election, ONN projected FRS to end up on 3 approvals, 4 abstentions and 2 against.
Yet FRS saw a reverse of fortunes, as reluctant nations voted approve to the proposal. As the election has gone on, FRS crept up to 4 in favour, 4 abstentions and 1 against. With a majority excluding abstentions, FRS was now clearly going to be re-elected.
Several government nations have now switched their vote from either abstain or oppose. At this moment in time, the tally is 5 in favour, 3 abstentions and 1 against. However, not everyone is happy.
The TNO has been vocal critics of the FRS Delegacy, with Patec stating:
"The opposition was fashionably late to get word and agreed with and restated the plans that were made. I have slight issue with the oppositions handling of this little founder fiasco. I believe FRS showed some power hungry colors. Pushing to found a new region under a new name without consulting the entire region through a poll. And trying to undermine the voices of the nations of this order by trying to not allow proper time for other folks to weigh in. And resulting to “security threats” none notable, as a reason to push the idea that we had to move quickly and drastically. For that I will disapprove of a 3rd socilian opposition should they run alone and quopte Maricoen in saying that the Socilians are best suited for small gov positions."
Patec was clear in laying out the groundworks for a strong vote against FRS, but this initial momentum was lost when Speaker Meercovo specified that if approve didn't win it would take up more time as the vote would be re-run.
Maricoen has also been a vocal opponent of the FRS Delegacy, with some surprised that Maricoen didn't run in the election.
However, this election leaves an important question for the region. With this being, legally, FRS' final term as WA Delegate, and Patec's term as WM coming to a close, some are wondering what the face of the region will be in 2 months time.
Perhaps Patec will follow in FRS' and Meercovo's footsteps in retiring from the WM-ship and taking up the Delegacy afterwards.
However, the FRS-Patec period of regional history has been one of the most dramatic and surprising periods.
Meanwhile, the possibility of a constitutional amendment to allow for a third Patec run could be explored in the next few weeks. Patec is keen to get through vital legislation that will decide what the lasting legacy of the longest serving WM is.