The Candidates: Next Presidential Election

Day 706, 17:11 • Published in South Africa South Africa • by Oceanus
Hello South Africa!

The Presidential elections are only nine days away! Whats happening? Who is running?
Look here http://www.erepublik.com/en/presidential-candidates/country-51
Two experienced candidates, both are Senior Ministers, Sol Advisory Representatives, and Congressmen. And they are from two of South Africa's top parties. This isn't the way we usually do things in South Africa. All of the elections from South Africa's 3rd Republic (After both Croats and Invasion) have been the same old story. Experienced and qualified candidate (Steven, Ines) vs. Recently emigrated non experienced ANA candidate (Ajay, Maxpayne, Mossad).

So what is happening here? We have Good Candidate vs. Good Candidate. A chance for real democracy. A chance to weigh your options between two serious and dedicated South Africans, to exercise your voting power based on policy and debate rather than having only one real choice.

Oceanus Vs. Enoch Root
How did this come to be? As Steven stepped into his second term as president he wrote this in his address.

"Lastly, I think it is time that in this term some actual presidential candidates step up. This is my challenge to you: Work at getting a public image, figure out what's going on in the country. Come up with viable ideas. Build the country and the people will vote for you.
I'd really like to see a vibrant election next month."

Both Enoch and I have been working hard for South Africa. Many have expected one of us to be the next golden presidential candidate. But this is not how its going to happen. Rather than accept the nearly oligarchical succession of presidents in the recent past, Enoch and I will both be running.

A Friendly Debate
Enoch and I are certainly not political enemies. In fact we have been working together quite effectively for some time. We are friends, and I expect that neither of us will give in to personal attacks. I would like to see this same civility from our supporters.
This will be an opportunity for real debate, for streamlining policy and cabinet assignments, and for optimizing the efficiency of government. This election will force both candidates to work for it.

To top it off, we have agreed to be each others Vice President, depending on who wins. The one who loses will become VP. I agree that both of us would be great presidents, now its up to you, the South African people, which one becomes the Head of State. And for those who support the losing candidate your votes will be represented in the office of VP.
I am hoping that this election will inspire mature debate on the improvement of South Africa. A tradition that can be continued onwards in future elections. With citizenship put into place and past threats from the ANA dying down, we can have one of our first truly free elections in quite some time. Let the next presidential race begin!

Keep your eyes out for the first campaign articles.

Oceanus,
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sol Advisory Representative
Congressman