The second set of results is out, and Zongongians have rejected the nationalisation of all “essential industries” by 69% to 31%. This was the Communist Party’s question originating out of the coalition deal, and was also expected to fail according to opinion polling. Neighbouring Lauchenoiria, which has had a troubled history with communism, will be breathing a sign of relief at the party’s failure to turn the coalition deal into major societal change.
This was the most unclear of the referendum questions, with each coalition party producing documentation describing their plans for success in detail. While the other four parties were clear about how their policies would play out; the Communist documentation was significantly less clear regarding the scope of which industries they deemed “essential”. Past legislation would suggest that gas, electricity, domestic transportation and analogue telecommunications all fall clearly under this category, but changes in the modern world may challenge this definition. For example, it was unclear if digital communications was included; an industry which has never had state involvement in Zongongia before. Commentators have suggested, however, that the lack of clarity was designed to allow the party to take a more expansive definition if the referendum passed rather than to allow restriction. The question is now, of course, academic.
Invalid and spoiled ballots were back to their usual <1%, with turnout differing only in the second decimal place (all voters were handed all five papers – a voter was only discounted as present for an individual question if they refused to take the paper – once a paper was handed to a voter, a blank return was counted as an invalid, but cast, vote).
Communist leader Anja Aalto told assembled reporters: “this is of course disappointing, but not unexpected. We will continue to work to convince Zongongians of the merits of rejecting the capitalistic private control which large multinational companies have over the essential aspects of their day-to-day living. This is not a question settled forever – only for now.”
