Opposition announces candidates

The official opposition in the Tiegist Republic, the Aliança Democrática Nacional (National Democratic Alliance) has announced their candidates for the three elections in response to the Frente. The incorrectly named ADN is an anti-Frente umbrella group, self-styled as an "alliance of progressive forces" - it contains the former PNB, the Partido Social Demócrata, and the tiny Partido Obrero de Liberación Marxista.

While this initially implies an alliance of parties in similar style to the Frente Popular, it is easy to see that the vast majority of its members are or were members of the PNB, with two defectors rounding off the complement. Even though a great show has been made of union, with the parties standing "shoulder to shoulder", the ADN's command, lead by returning citizen Thomas la Antonio, has stopped short of declaring a second Frente.

The ADN candidate for President is Devante Covas, of the Partido Social Demócrata.

The ADN candidate for Minister-General is Jesus Pablo Santiago of the Partido Democrático Nacional.

The ADN candidates for the Council of State are:

1. Thomas la Antonio of the Partido Democrático Nacional.
2. Kuralyov of the Partido Obrero de Liberación Marxista.
3. Christo de Loutrado of the Partido Social Demócrata.

The shock choice of a relatively new micronationalist in the contest for the presidency, Devante Covas, may signify the ADN's acceptance of an inevitable victory by incumbent Alarico Veto Julia. The President's position is by no means unassailable, but for Covas it will be an uphill battle.

By contrast, the prospective Minister-General, the well-respected and pragmatic Jesus Pablo Santiago, recently nominated for the "Best New Micronationalist" FNORD, will pose a much greater threat to the Frente Popular. The ADN has made considerable political capital out of the long-term absence of incumbent Minister-General Antonio Vitores Ramon, whereas Frente candidate Erasmo Jacqueras Carrar has focussed on his strong record as Minister of the Exterior. A win here for Santiago would be a considerable victory for the ADN.

The Council of State candidates are micronational heavyweights; Kuralyov and la Antonio are famous, or infamous, throughout the micro-world, while de Loutrado is most noted for his work on "New Democracy" in Babkha. Given the similar reputations of the Frente candidates, the distribution of seats will most likely be determined by the choice of voting system, and in such a close contest, Electoral Commissioner Rico Noriega will certainly have a hard decision. It is rumoured that an STV (Single Transferable Vote) system will be in operation.

The surprise in this announcement is the ommission of de facto PSD leader Jose Barrio-Martinez, whose vitriolic attacks on the Frente administration have seen him compared to contraversial Supreme Leader of the PNB, Xavier Cervantes. Cervantes himself appears to have been airbrushed out of the equation, either lost to inactivity or determined impolitic. Whatever the reason for his dismissal, the new face of the PNB appears to pose a greater threat to Frente government than ever before.