Liberty News

[Alfonso Velez]

BIOLOGICAL ATTACKS ERODE L&D OPPOSITION TO RASPUR PACT, AUMF

Last week, there were indications that the L&D caucus was likely to split significantly in its votes on joining the Raspur Pact and approving the AUMF against the Iron Company. Sources indicate that at least a third of the L&D caucus and up to a majority of the caucus were considering voting against ratifying the Raspur Pact, and somewhere between a quarter to a third of the caucus were considering voting against the AUMF. Frustration also boiled with the Prime Minister, Alfonzo Velez, seen by many of the "purists" in the party as abandoning core L&D principles. 

"Velez is abandoning key L&D principles of non-intervention in foreign affairs. He's done a complete 180 in his approach to the Iron Company's aggression against foreign powers. Alduria has not been directly threatened--and there is no reason for us to intervene," a senior L&D MP commented to Liberty News on the condition of anonymity.

While the Government appeared poised to have an embarrassing number of L&D defections according to an L&D whip, the situation changed dramatically after the Iron Company's biological attack against the Florian Republic.

"All but the strongest voices of non-intervention are now on board with the AUMF, and while many still have reservations about joining the Raspur Pact, recent developments have made it difficult for L&D MPs to oppose Velez on this," a senior L&D MP commented, "While I still expect to see some dissenting votes, the caucus is likely to be united behind Velez's actions now--whereas a week ago, there were murmurs of discontent and even discussions of a leadership contest for L&D."