2023 Finolia presidential election

The **2023 Finolia presidential election** was the [] triennial presidential election in Finolia. It was held on February 1, 2023. The Green Party ticket of incumbent president Arhan Ruubé won re-election in a landslide, receiving the highest percentage of votes since the 1922 election. Primary elections took place on October 1, 2022, in which every registered party in Finolia nominated a candidate for President.

## Procedure

Any Finolian citizen over the age of 25 can run for president under any political party, or they may choose to run as a non-partisan candidate. When voting for president, all citizens over the age of 16 are eligible to vote and may vote for any candidate. The candidate with the single highest number and percentage of votes wins the election and assumes office on June 1 of that year; there is not a certain minimum percentage of votes needed to win. In the case of primary elections, Finolia uses a ranked-choice voting system, where a voter's top three candidates in a party are chosen on their ballot; once a candidate reaches 33% of the popular vote, secondary and tertiary votes are counted until three candidates remain with the highest popular vote. These three candidates continue onto the final primary election, of which voters choose one candidate to nominate for that party. Independent or non-partisan voters can vote in a maximum of two primary elections. One each party has nominated a candidate, the first round of voting begins, and the three candidates with the highest percentage of votes are selected to participate in the second round. Whoever wins the second round is elected president.

All citizens over the age of 16 may vote for a candidate regardless of what state, territory, or military base they reside in. Citizens are often encouraged to vote, and voter turnout is usually over 70%. Laws denying citizens the right to vote based on race, skin color, sexual orientation, gender identity, criminal history, religion, physical and mental ability, or political position are considered unconstitutional under the first article of the Finolian Constitution.

## Campaign issues

### Disaster preparedness

Following the hyperactive 2020 and 2021 Finolian Ocean hurricane seasons, which included several catastrophic storms, such as Hurricane Marta in 2020 and Hurricane Patricia in 2021, the former of which was the costliest and deadliest tropical cyclone in Imperiyan history, many politicians have advocated for better disaster preparedness. Green Party candidate and incumbent president Arhan Ruubé has called for and implemented higher government funding for the Finolian Meteorological Centre and the Finolian Disaster Recovery Society, in hopes of creating more accurate hurricane forecasts and stronger recovery responses after disasters. Representative Hajka Marnuu (FCP-TE), along with other conservative activists, have opposed increased funding for the FMC, considering it an "unimportant use of our tax dollars", and instead suggest funding only the FDRS and possibly the National Guard to help with disaster recovery. The Party for Finolian Solidarity claims to support hefty increases in funding for the FMC and FDRS, but also local governments to encourage self-reliance in the case of a natural disaster. The Finolia First party does not support funding these institutions, calling disaster preparedness a "non-issue."

Following the December 16-19 winter storm, Ruubé's approval rating improved, especially in states affected by the storm. Ruubé was quick to begin recovery efforts and provide emergency services for the millions of Finolians affected, and his response was seen favorably by many.

### Toujirian monarchy influence

Toujire, a constitutional monarchy, has seen an increase in monarchist influence by the royal family. Conservative parties support non-interventionism in this regard, claiming that "the Toujirian people know what's best for their nation," and "Toujire is a democracy and will not let the royal family influence its government's choices." Progressive parties, such as the Green Party and Party for Finolian Solidarity, support urging the royal family to step down in order to let Toujire transition into a full-fledged republic. Factions of the Finolian Liberals also seem to support this policy.

## Results

Arhan Ruubé won the election in a landslide, receiving 56.3% of the popular vote, the highest percentage of votes in a presidential election in decades. His campaign was able to solidify the Green coast, while also making gains in the crucial central states of Sentran, Kalima, Anguul, and Buumo. These victories made for an easy re-election; as Ruubé won a majority of votes, a runoff election was not held. Xako Kantor came in second with 34.7% of the popular vote. His loss was attributed to several scandals, his moderate positions on issues, the popularity of Ruubé, and poor advertisement campaigns. Much of the right-wing faction of the Federal Conservative Party disliked Kantor for his generally moderate positions, and instead opted to vote for Fuukaj Xara, the Finolia First candidate who came in third place. Xara received 19.3% of the popular vote, the best showing ever for the Finolia First party. Kuukuura Lekau, candidate for the Party for Finolian Solidarity, came in fourth place with 9.9% of the popular vote. Despite the party's generally unexpected showing, it was not enough to spoil the Green Party vote; progressive Green Party members will sometimes vote for the more progressive Party for Finolian Solidarity if there is a moderate Green party candidate on the ballot. Other candidates received less than 5% of the popular vote nationwide.