Josephine Alvarez has resigned as leader of the Liberal Party after the Conservatives pushed the party out of first place in Sunday’s election. Alvarez, who remains Prime Minister until a coalition can be formed, told press that she is “respecting the wishes of voters” by standing down, and she intends to step back from politics to “focus on family”. The Liberal Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will nominate an interim leader, while planning leadership elections where the full party membership will select a replacement; which will take place in approximately a month.
Possible replacements include Rodrigo Montaña, the current Defence Secretary; who is popular among the interventionists in the party, but leans somewhat to the left on domestic issues. This combination has led to his being respected across the party, even among those who disagree with his stance on some issues. Also in the running is Education Secretary Nacio Navarro, who may be seen as a safe pair of hands having led a department post-civil war that has had remarkably few controversies or scandals.
Domestic Affairs Secretary Adelita Cabello is popular, and still considered a possibility by bookies; but she has previously indicated that she would be stepping down from the cabinet after this election with a view to retire in 2028. The last likely candidate is Juan Pablo Estevez, Pavía’s replacement in Foreign Affairs, who is a newer addition to the cabinet yet has been far less controversial in the role than his predecessor. He caught some heat in the press for his handling of last year’s WOE terrorist attacks; but many now agree that those incidents were something of a no-win scenario.
Averforth Meets With Pavía
Thomas Averforth, leader of the Conservative Party, has been seen meeting with Sandra Pavía of Together for Lauchenoiria. Sources close to both leaders have suggested that the meeting was productive, and that the pair may have already come to an agreement to form a coalition, with or without a third party. Either the Liberals or Greens would allow Averforth to form a government; but it is unknown whether either party will be willing to be the third partner in such a coalition; or enter a confidence-and-supply agreement.
The Greens lean considerably left of an Averforth-Pavía coalition, and therefore it seems unlikely that they would be willing. However, with the Liberals licking their wounds and lacking a leader, it will be up to the interim appointee to decide if the membership would accept coalition with the party who defeated them. A poll of the Liberal membership is also possible, though lacks precedent in this situation within the party. A confidence-and-supply agreement with the Liberals is more likely, though again their NEC will have to appoint an interim leader for negotiations to commence.
