MONARCHISTS RETAIN SENATE CONTROL, REPUBLICANS GAIN MORE SEATS

POLARCUS — The monarchist faction has retained their majority in the Senate but lost six seats to the republican faction.

The historic special senatorial elections was held across the Kingdom after the tragic attack in the Senate that claimed the lives of twenty senators from both sides of the aisle.

At the start of the year, the monarchists held 35 seats which were later reduced to 21 because of the attack. Meanwhile, the republicans only held 15 which later went down to nine.

After the elections, the monarchists regained eight seats while the republicans held on to their initial six seats and picked up six more, winning at least one seat in every province and the capital city.

"We were shocked by the results," said Senate President Victor Sorensen, also the leader of the monarchist faction. "We expected to retain the majority, but we didn't expect to lose one seat per province. We won, but we lost at the same time."

But a win is still a win. As soon as the Senate resumes its session, Sorensen said that they will put on the floor King Alphonse's request for dictatorial powers. He's confident that the motion will pass.

"We deem it as urgent so we'll be voting on it as soon as possible," Sorensen added. "We have the numbers. We only need 26 votes, a simple majority. We have 29."

Meanwhile, young opposition leader Maeve Flannigan said the republican faction is "very satisfied" with the election results.

"We only aimed to regain six seats that were left vacant because of the untimely demise of our colleagues," Flannigan said. "Expanding our ranks to 21 seats was beyond our expectations."

Asked what changed in their campaign strategy, Flannigan said that they focused on the concerns of the common people.

"I believe that our message has resonated with the Arcerean people," she added. "At this chaotic time, we've offered them stability and liberty. The monarchists promised to keep them safe. We promised to keep them safe and free."

Even though they won more seats this time, their numbers aren't enough to block any motion by their counterparts, such as the king's request for dictatorial powers.

"It's clear as day that we don't have the numbers. We're five votes short," Flannigan said. "That's why I'm appealing to my fellow senators to preserve the prestige of the Senate and to not sacrifice the liberty of our people for the sake of a wobbly promise of peace and order."

The Senate willresume its session this week at the Royal Library while the original Senate building is undergoing repairs.