Current Events > New Zealand election delivers one of the best results for minor parties ever.

(+) Yeah! (+)

For some background info, NZ uses a MMP system similar to Germany, so third parties are very much not irrelevant unlike in the US; but we're still dominated by two big ones. They just usually have to work together with at least one minor one.

Anyway, the recent election has seen both ACT and the Greens (the most significant right wing and left wing minor parties respectively) flip the vote in several regions away from the big parties and towards them. David Seymour was always going to win Epsom, but Chloe Swarbrick held Auckland Central and between the parties they picked up three more. They also both polled around 10% in the party vote, which is amazing considering that a few years back ACT was lucky to hit 1% and Greens usually hovered around 5-6%. NZ First made a good comeback too although, they're perhaps the kind of party we'd be better off without, but still a good sign of support for minor parties.

Maybe we're finally in the process of seeing the boomer parties on their way out... One can hope anyway. The election as a whole was won by our major right wing party (note that they'd be left wing by US standards, just not as much so as our left wing major party), but they'll need to work with ACT to actually form a government and ACT will make up about 20% of said government.

Yay we're all going to be poorer and experience more racism while the boomer landlord class lectures us about "muh woke."

I wonder if people will stop using te reo in an English context for fear of upsetting David Seymour.

sfcalimari posted...

Yay we're all going to be poorer and experience more racism while the boomer landlord class lectures us about "muh woke."

I wonder if people will stop using te reo in an English context for fear of upsetting David Seymour.

At least it's looking likely that after special votes NZF will be needed to make a government. You'd hope that they will stop National from implementing some of their dumber policies (foreign buyers allowed to buy "luxury" homes etc).

ArkThompson posted...

At least it's looking likely that after special votes NZF will be needed to make a government. You'd hope that they will stop National from implementing some of their dumber policies (foreign buyers allowed to buy "luxury" homes etc).

Given their buddying up to the fringe types and their overtly boomer-centric policies, not to mention the general character of many of their politicians, Winston included, I'd much rather NZF stay out of it tbh; and I say this as someone who's supported them in the past. Actually, the only relevant parties I've never voted for are National, Te Pti Mori and I guess if you count them as relevant now, TOP. Likely never will vote for the first two and likely won't ever vote Labour again but I'm definitely open to TOP if they continue on their current track.

Hard to say who is worse, ACT or NZF. Seymour likes to pretend he hates conspiracy theorists, yet he wants to end co-governance which is like issue #1 for conspiracy theorists. Winston Peters meanwhile fully embraced the conspiracy theorists to make himself relevant again.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/1/2/AAKd0vAAE70s.jpg

Trumble posted...

Maybe we're finally in the process of seeing the boomer parties on their way out... One can hope anyway. The election as a whole was won by our major right wing party (note that they'd be left wing by US standards, just not as much so as our left wing major party),

Ok now you're just making me feel bad

Where my girl Jacinda at?

JuanCarlos1 posted...

Where my girl Jacinda at?

She retired from politics in January. Chris Hipkins has been leader of that party since.