La Gazzetta di Messelia

ADM Coalition Leads First Senate Vote
Marta Pezzaloni

Senator Salucci is the Speaker of the Merchant Rights Association

Messelia. A coalition led by the Merchant Rights Association (ADM) placed first in the vote held today by the Senate in search of a majority, though it did not have enough votes to claim the right to select a First Councillor.

Held shortly before noon, the vote resulted in a four-way split that cast doubts into the initial expectation that the incumbent coalition would maintain its unity. Instead, the Alliance for Sustainable Development came in second place with 122 votes, its 90 votes having received the backing of the Liberal Party, with 32 votes. In third place came the Social Progress Party and the Youth Movement, whose combined 114 votes were not enough to keep it sufficiently competitive. There was a tense mood in the chamber as ASS and PPS/MG votes were cast, particularly when it became evident that the coalition would not stand.

In turn, the ADM received the 18 votes of the far-right Forward Party and the 26 votes of the Movement for National Renewal, for a combined total of 131 votes. While considerably short of the 205 needed to form a majority, Senator Mario Salucci, who is widely expected to become Second Councillor, who his coalition obtain a majority, expressed confidence in the initial vote, and said that subsequent votes would confirm the upwards trend. "As we better explain our platform, I am sure that more parties will grant us the opportunity to work together as a majority", he said.

In fourth place came the Socialist Party, with 41 votes, which was widely expected to run its traditional standalone ticket on the first vote. It is unclear how it will swing in subsequent votes. It remained in opposition this past government, having deemed it too centrist, though it has supported the Social Progress Party and the Youth Movement in the past.

A second vote is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, following what are expected to be extensive negotiations between all parties in the Senate.