(no subject)

[felis_ultharus]

So, yeah -- in political news, the government might fall on Monday.

The reason? The Harper government decided to do what did all last session -- throw nauseating things like banning government worker strikes and starving the opposition parties for cash -- into a budget. They figured that since a budget is a confidence motion and voting against causes the government to fall, they could force the Liberals to go along.

They badly miscalculated, though. See, the NDP and Bloc would have voted against it anyway, but they finally pushed the Liberals too far. Voting for the budget would be an act of suicide for the Liberal Party.

So what happens now? Either Harper backs down, or the government falls. Normally that means an election, but since we just had it, our governor general can use one of her "reserve powers," and give the opposition parties the chance to form a coalition.

So on Monday, we could have a new prime minister. Or an election. Or maybe Harper will learn how to back down and eat crow, but I suspect that's the least likely of all possibilities.

Comments

[infinitecomplex.livejournal.com]

It sounds like Harper is backing down: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/28/tories-fiscal.html

I sincerely hope the other parties vote against the motion anyway, as I'd hate to see the other financial measures go through.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

It's still going strong this week. Harper opened the box, and can't close it now.

[helenseidolon.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad I have you to give me political news, I really appreciate it. I've managed to completely dewtach from reality, I think.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you're keeping up well -- I've read your post on it.

[bronnyelsp.livejournal.com]

So on Monday, we could have a new prime minister. Or an election. Or maybe Harper will learn how to back down and eat crow, but I suspect that's the least likely of all possibilities.

I sure hope you're right. Door number one, unsurprisingly, appeals to me most!

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

I do, too ^_^

[siencyn.livejournal.com]

How much support does Harper actually have these days? It seems like he's such a ridiculous cock-up that he'd at least have low popularity, but then again it took fordamever for Bush's approval ratings to go down.

Although Dion doesn't seem that competent either.

[urbangeo.livejournal.com]

At the moment it sounds like the Liberal executive is going to replace Dion with Ignatieff as interim Leader.

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

A third of the country adores him, and two-thirds despises him. But the two-thirds is spread out among the centrist Liberals, and the left-wing NDP and Bloc.

His one-third support though is pretty solid in most provinces -- some sign his assholism is killing that in Quebec.

[greekcub.livejournal.com]

From the sounds of his News Conference this afternoon it doesn't sound like it.

Bring on the Liberal-NDP Coalition please

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Agreed!

[esprix.livejournal.com]

Good heavens you folks have interesting politics! :D

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

Most people complain it's boring, most of the time.

But imagine if the Democrats in your House and Senate could have forced out Bush and replace him with Gore using an obscure rule most people weren't aware existed, way back in 2006.

This is something similar, and you can imagine how polarizing it is for the country.

[urbangeo.livejournal.com]

Looks like it's been called off for a week by the Conservatives. Is there a limit to how many opposition days they're allowed to cancel?

His speech about "rights" was an outright lie. He really should read the constitution someday. A coalition government is actually more democratic since we'd be governed with the support of the majority in the house who represent the majority of Canadians. Plus the Conservatives as they stand now have shown they're not willing to work with the other parties.

[lux-apollo.livejournal.com]

^^ This.

I hope his government falls on its ass and we get a coalition. Hell, if an election wouldn't be a complete waste of money this soon, then I'd be all for it. But. A coalition government would be an interesting experiment to try, at least for a while. Maybe the opposition parties can try cooperation and make it work - at least somewhat - for a while.

[urbangeo.livejournal.com]

I'm not concerned about the "waste" of money for an election. If that's what it costs to keep a democracy, I think that's a small price to pay. I'd rather them spend that than choose to vote for bills that they believe are against people's interests. My only concern is that if there's an election nobody will bother voting.

[lux-apollo.livejournal.com]

The lack of voter turnout would be the heart of the waste I was refering too - why spend money on another election if the public will be apathetic and not show up and do their part?

[felis-ultharus.livejournal.com]

I don't know if they can keep putting it off. I know there are a minimum number of such days, but I don't know if they have to call them at any specific times.

And thing about Harper is that he lies so glibly. Most leaders in Canadian history, when caught in a lie, either apologize or try to justify themselves. Harper just relies on the hope that people have no memories.