Conservative Front

The **Conservative Front** (CF) is a right-wing political party in Salva, which was founded by Azad Gasimov in 1997, following Salvanian independence from the Iranian State. The party is known for promoting conservative, nationalist, and populist ideals, and has remained the oldest active political party in Salva. The party's ideology is based on the principles of the free market, individualism, and conservatism.

The Conservative Front has played a significant role in the politics of Salva, holding power from 2003 to 2015, when it was defeated by the Liberal Coalition in the 2015 general election. The party has since remained as the second largest party in the Magizhatsti, and has been a strong opposition force.

Mikhail Garakhanov, the former director of the National Security Commission, took over the leadership of the Conservative Front on September 15, 2022, succeeding Elariz Saleh. Garakhanov is the second National Security Commission director to hold the post. Currently, the Conservative Front holds 89 seats in the Magizhatsti, making it the second largest party in the parliament.

The Conservative Front has been known for its strong stance on fiscal conservatism, national security and its commitment to fighting terrorism. Under the leadership of Azad Gasimov, the party successfully implemented policies aimed at improving Salva's infrastructure, attracting foreign investment, and reducing taxes, which led to a period of economic growth and stability in the country.

## History

The Conservative Front was founded in 1997 by Azad Gasimov, and won little seats in the 1999 general election. The Conservative Front was elected to a slim minority government in 2003, outperforming the Liberal Coalition by four seats, however an agreement was reached with the right-wing National Party to uphold the government. It maintained power again following the 2009 general election, this time attaining a majority government.

During its years in power, the Conservative Front implemented policies aimed at reducing taxes, promoting free market capitalism, and improving Salva's infrastructure. The party's pro-business policies led to an increase in foreign investment, which in turn resulted in a period of economic growth and stability.

In late 2013, the Sangachal Affair scandal broke, which revealed large misappropriations of funding following the Sangachal Summit, a major political event in Salva. The scandal implicated members of the Conservative cabinet, leading to the resignation of several Conservative MPs and cabinet ministers, and a failed vote of no confidence against the government.

### Azad Gasimov

#### 2003 general election and first term

In the 2003 general election, Azad Gasimov led the Conservative Front to its first election victory, outperforming the Liberal Coalition by only four seats. The campaign focused on reducing taxes, increasing foreign investment, and improving infrastructure, which resonated with the Salvanian electorate. In order to uphold the government, an agreement was reached with the National Party, which held 16 seats in the parliament. This marked the first time that the Conservative Front had held power in Salva, ending the post-independence Liberal Coalition government.

Gasimov's administration implemented policies aimed at modernizing Salva's economy, which included the privatization of state-owned enterprises, deregulation of the financial sector, and increased incentives for foreign investment. The government also launched a massive infrastructure development program, aimed at improving the country's transportation, energy, and telecommunications systems. Under Gasimov's leadership, the government also took a strong stance on national security and the fight against terrorism.

#### 2009 general election and majority government

In the 2009 general election, the Conservative Front won a majority government, securing 160 seats out of the 294-seat parliament. Azad Gasimov was re-elected as president and continued to implement his party's pro-business policies, promoting economic growth and foreign investment.

During this term, the Conservative Front faced criticism from the opposition for their handling of the economy, with some arguing that the party's focus on free market policies and tax cuts had led to a widening income gap and a neglect of social welfare programs. Despite the criticism, the Conservative Front remained popular among many Salvanians, particularly those in the middle and upper classes, who saw the party as promoting individualism and personal responsibility.

In the international arena, Salva continued to strengthen its relationships with neighbouring countries and expand its trade partnerships. The government also placed a greater emphasis on national security, with increased funding for the National Security Commission and increased military spending.

##### 2013 Sangachal Affair

The Sangachal Affair was a major political scandal that occurred during the Conservative Front's government in Salva. The scandal broke in late 2013 and revealed large misappropriations of funding following the 2012 Sangachal Summit, a major political event in Salva.

The investigation found that significant amounts of funds allocated for the Summit had been misused by members of the Conservative cabinet, who were accused of taking bribes and engaging in corrupt practices. The scandal implicated several high-ranking members of the government, including the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, whom of which resigned.

The Conservative Front government initially denied any wrongdoing, but the investigation continued and evidence against the government officials continued to mount. As the scandal unfolded, pressure grew on the government to take action against those implicated in the scandal. The scandal eventually led to the resignation of several Conservative MPs and cabinet ministers, and a failed vote of no confidence against the government. The affair was a significant blow to the Conservative Front's reputation and resulted in a loss of public trust, dropping the Conservative Front below the Liberal Coalition shortly before the 2015 general election.

The Sangachal Affair also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in Salvanian politics. The scandal led to calls for reforms to prevent future incidents of corruption and misuse of public funds. In response to the scandal, the Liberal Coalition, the main opposition party, called for early elections and campaigned on a platform of cleaning up corruption in government. The scandal was a major factor in the 2015 general election, which saw the Conservative Front lose power to the Liberal Coalition.

#### 2015 general election

The 2015 general election in Salva was a historic event that marked the end of the Conservative Front's 12-year rule in the country. The election saw the Liberal Coalition win a landslide victory, with Mirzy Amirbeyzov becoming the new president of Salva.

The election was held on 1 January 2015 to elect the 4th Salvanian parliament. The Liberal Coalition, ran on a platform of progressive policies, including expanding social welfare programs, increasing investment in education and healthcare, and strengthening civil liberties. The Conservative Front, led by Azad Gasimov, campaigned on a platform of fiscal conservatism and national security, but struggled to gain traction with voters, much because party was still reeling from the Sangachal Affair scandal, which had severely damaged its reputation.

In the end, the Liberal Coalition won a sweeping victory, taking 155 seats in the Magizhatsti, while the Conservative Front won 123 seats. The National Party won the remaining 16 seats.

Mirzy Amirbeyzov was sworn in as President of Salva on 10 January 2015, marking the first time in 12 years that the Conservative Front was not in power. The Liberal Coalition formed a new government, with Amirbeyzov as President and Nazim Ashabarov as prime minister.

Gasimov later resigned as leader of the party on 17 May 2015, with Elariz Saleh being elected as leader of the party on 17 July 2015.

### Elariz Saleh

Elariz Saleh served as the leader of the Conservative Front from 2015 to 2022, succeeding Azad Gasimov, who had stepped down shortly after the party's defeat in the 2015 general election. Saleh, former minister of infrastructure, was elected as the new leader of the party with 64.28% of the vote on 17 July 2015.

As the leader of the Conservative Front, Saleh continued to promote the party's core values of fiscal conservatism, national security, and its commitment to fighting terrorism. He also sought to broaden the party's appeal by focusing on issues such as immigration, healthcare, and education. Under Saleh's leadership, the Conservative Front remained a strong opposition force, consistently challenging the policies and decisions of the Liberal Coalition government. Saleh was a vocal critic of the government's handling of the economy, accusing it of overspending and increasing the national debt.

Saleh's tenure as leader of the Conservative Front was not without controversy. In 2019, he was embroiled in a scandal involving the party's fundraising activities, which had allegedly violated campaign finance laws. Saleh denied any wrongdoing, but the scandal damaged his reputation and led to calls for his resignation. Despite the scandal, Saleh remained in his position as leader of the Conservative Front, and continued to lead the party until his resignation in 2022. During his tenure, he was instrumental in shaping the party's policies and ensuring its relevance in Salvanian politics. His legacy as leader of the Conservative Front is one of strong leadership and unwavering commitment to the party's core values.

#### 2021 general election

Elariz Saleh played a crucial role in the 2021 general election. The election marked a significant turning point for the party, as it sought to regain power after being defeated by the Liberal Coalition in the previous election.

Saleh campaigned on a platform focused on national security, economic growth, and job creation. He promised to increase military spending, strengthen border security, and enhance Salva's international trade relationships. Saleh also emphasized the need to create more jobs by investing in small businesses and lowering taxes for middle-class families.

The Conservative Front lost a significant amount of seats in the election, winning 31.7% of the popular vote and securing only 116 seats in the Magizhatsti. Despite the failures, Saleh stated he would not resign as leader, and continued to lead the party until his resignation in September 2022.

#### 2022 general election

Elariz Saleh led the Conservative Front into the 2022 general election, hoping to regain power after the party's defeat in the previous election. However, the recently ended war with Iran had caused a drop in the party's popularity, as many Salvanians were unenthusiastic about a change of government at the time. Saleh and the Conservative Front campaigned on their record of fiscal conservatism and national security, however emphasizing their experience and ability to handle the challenges facing the country, promising to increase military funding.

Despite their efforts, the Conservative Front suffered a crushing defeat in the 2022 election, losing a significant number of seats in the Magizhatsti. The Liberal Coalition, led by Mirzy Amirbeyzov, won a decisive majority, while the Conservative Front remained as opposition in the parliament.

Saleh, taking responsibility for the Conservative Front's defeat, announced his resignation as party leader in a speech following the election. He acknowledged that the war had taken a toll on the party's support and that the Conservative Front needed new leadership to regain its footing.

### Mikhail Garakhanov

#### 2022 leadership election

*(Main article)*

The Conservative Front's 2022 leadership election took place on September 15, 2022, following the resignation of Elariz Saleh as party leader. The election saw five candidates vying for the party leadership, including Krystian Sokolovsky, Viktor Isayev, Sonya Voronin, Vlasiy Petrov, and eventual winner Mikhail Garakhanov.

Garakhanov won the election with 57.3% of the vote, making him the new leader of the Conservative Front. As a former director of the National Security Commission, Garakhanov was well-known for his expertise in national security and defence issues. His victory was largely attributed to his strong background and experience in these areas.

Sokolovsky came in a strong second place in the leadership election, with a showing thanks to his background as an experienced economist. Isayev focused heavily on military issues during his campaign, while Sonya Voronin was considered the farthest-right candidate. Vlasiy Petrov initially focused on environmental topics, but later dropped out of the race after failing to gain much traction after the debates.

Garakhanov's victory marked a new chapter for the Conservative Front, as the party sought to rebuild and move forward after the resignation of Saleh and the defeat in the 2022 general election. The party hoped that Garakhanov's leadership would help it regain its former status as a dominant force in Salvanian politics.

#### Present day

As of present day, Mikhail Garakhanov leads the Conservative Front as its third leader, and was elected to the Magizhatsti after having won the by-election in the district of Khoshbulakh on October 1, 2022. Garakhanov's leadership has brought about some changes within the party, with a renewed emphasis on national security and a more assertive stance on foreign policy.

Under Garakhanov's leadership, the Conservative Front has continued to be a strong opposition force in the Magizhatsti, with 89 seats in the parliament. The party's recent victory in the Navaleh by-election on February 21, 2023, where Szamo Ilyin was elected as MP for the district, has increased the party's seat total by one.

The Conservative Front has been actively working to engage with the public, holding town hall meetings and community events to hear the concerns and opinions of the people. The party has also been vocal in its criticism of the current government's handling of the ongoing conflict with Iran, calling for a stronger stance on national security and a more aggressive approach to foreign policy.

## Principals and policies

The Conservative Front is known for its conservative, nationalist, and fiscally conservative policies, which have helped shape its ideology since its inception in 1997. However, in recent years, the party has also become more socially liberal and progressive, while still rejecting "woke policy." Some of the key policies of the Conservative Front include:

### Economy

The Conservative Front's economic policy is based on principles of free-market capitalism, fiscal conservatism, and a focus on infrastructure investment. The party strongly believes in the power of the market and competition to drive economic growth, and supports policies that encourage entrepreneurship, investment, and innovation. One of the party's main economic goals is to reduce taxes and regulations to encourage businesses to invest and grow. The Conservative Front has advocated for tax cuts for both individuals and corporations, arguing that it would stimulate economic growth and create jobs.

In addition, the party has consistently pushed for infrastructure investment, particularly in areas such as transportation, energy, and telecommunications. The Conservative Front believes that investing in infrastructure is crucial to support economic growth and competitiveness, and has proposed policies to increase public and private investment in infrastructure. The party has also supported free trade agreements and international cooperation, recognizing the benefits of global economic integration. The Conservative Front has advocated for the removal of trade barriers, including tariffs and quotas, and has sought to increase access to foreign markets for Salvanian businesses.

#### Foreign policy

The Conservative Front has historically emphasized the importance of a strong foreign policy, particularly in regards to national security and regional stability. The party supports a foreign policy that is based on diplomatic engagement, national interest, and a strong military.

The party believes in strengthening relationships with its allies, including the United States, United Kingdom, and other western countries. The Conservative Front supports free trade agreements that benefit Salva's economy and seeks to maintain a strong economic relationship with neighboring countries. The party has been vocal about the need to combat terrorism and extremism, both domestically and internationally. It supports military intervention when necessary to protect national security and prevent terrorist attacks. The Conservative Front has been a strong advocate for the continued presence of Salvanian troops in areas of conflict, including the ongoing conflict with Iran.

In addition, the Conservative Front advocates for the protection of human rights and democracy around the world. The party has been critical of countries that do not adhere to democratic principles and has called for sanctions against regimes that engage in human rights violations.

#### Social policy

The Conservative Front has traditionally been known for its conservative and nationalist policies, but in recent years, the party has also adopted more progressive stances on social issues, including support for same-sex marriage and abortion rights. Despite this, the party officially rejects "woke policy" and maintains a moderate conservative stance.

In terms of LGBT rights, the party has been supportive of same-sex marriage. The party officially recognizes and supports the rights of LGBT individuals and opposes discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

On the issue of abortion, the Conservative Front has taken a more progressive stance, supporting the right of women to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. The party has recognized that this is a complex issue, and has expressed support for policies that seek to reduce the need for abortions through education and access to contraception.

However, the Conservative Front has also supported policies aimed at cutting social welfare programs and public spending to reduce the national deficit.