Chapter 1497: 1403: An Election Without Suspense

Capítulo 1497: Chapter 1403: An Election Without Suspense

According to French election laws, any French citizen can participate in the House of Representatives election by submitting an application and obtaining the endorsement of 3,000 eligible voters.

Therefore, no political parties have formed yet, only loose faction alliances.

This also makes the election full of uncertainties.

In a building in the Western Suburb of Paris, candidate Buchard looked seriously at the chubby man sitting across from him and said: “Mr. Rochefort, you should at least add another 1,000 francs to the campaign funds.”

“You know, now a hundred-word campaign ad in the corner of the Paris Commercial News costs 300 francs.”

The lawyer named Rosh beside him nodded immediately: “Or I can give up running this time and leave the funds to Mr. Buchard; otherwise, neither of us will get elected.”

Yes, Rochefort sponsored two candidates at once, but only gave them 2,000 francs each.

“These heartless newspapers, at the beginning of the year, 300 francs were enough to post an ad on the second edition.” Rochefort exaggeratedly “protested” then smiled, “But trust me, the current funds are sufficient. I mean, for two seats.”

The two candidates exchanged helpless glances, choosing to temporarily bypass the issue of funding: “Then let’s discuss which faction to join.”

“Considering the current situation, without faction support, we would suffer greatly.”

The lawyer nodded: “I suggest choosing ‘Liberals,’ their street speeches are very effective. Most importantly, speeches don’t cost much money.”

“The ‘Trade Faction’ is also good. Currently, they seem to have the most people.”

Rochefort inquired about the current situation of election factions but frowned: “Excuse me for being straightforward, given the prominence of you and Mr. Rosh, it’s very likely you’ll be ‘overshadowed’ by other candidates in these larger factions.”

Buchard sighed: “Then the ‘Radical Faction’? But they advocate occupying Vienna, which is too crazy…”

Rochefort thought for a moment, then said: “Based on your descriptions of each faction’s stance, I don’t think any are optimal campaign strategies.”

“What do you mean?”

The chubby man flashed a crafty look in his eyes: “How about we form a faction ourselves?”

Buchard said dejectedly: “This might be difficult… it requires enormous appeal…”

Rochefort seemed highly confident: “What if we formed the ‘Crown Prince Faction’ with the core principle being absolute loyalty to His Royal Highness, following in His footsteps forever?”

The two candidates exchanged glances again and then shook their heads vigorously: “But, the House of Representatives exists to allow citizens to oversee royal power, isn’t what you’re proposing…”

Rochefort stared earnestly into his eyes: “What if the citizens’ choice is the Crown Prince? We’re merely following public opinion.”

“But…”

“It’s decided then. I’ll find a very famous lady to hold a salon, inviting many young candidates, and you will take the lead in organizing them!”

This House of Representatives election is based on provincial seat allocation, with Paris holding 102 seats of all 380.

As long as the ‘Crown Prince Faction’ gains influence in Paris, it can become a formidable force within the House of Representatives!

…

July 5, 1800.

The French House of Representatives election, attracting Europe’s attention officially commenced.

On the street next to the Paris Louvre District polling station, two ‘Crown Prince Faction’ candidates fervently shouted: “It is the great His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness, who entrusted parliamentary rights to us, is there any reason not to follow them?”

“May Jesus forever bless them!”

“Long live His Royal Highness!”

Hundreds of people nearby immediately joined in the excited shout, “Long live His Royal Highness!”

A little further away, besides them, the largest ‘Liberals’ gathered only less than a hundred people, completely overshadowed.

In front of the polling station, a group of veterans lined up neatly, handing ballots to the counting clerks one after another—

The French Army has Honorary Representatives teaching soldiers literacy, some even teach mathematics and geography. After retiring, soldiers can freely attend regular schools with the support of the Military Affairs Department, resulting in nearly half of the veterans having voting rights.

The voters were registered months ago. The polling station administrator announced: “Mr. Abel Chavariere votes for Mr. Henry Gaston Boucher.”

Yes, elections at this time are essentially signed ballots to prevent manipulations.

By 5 PM that day, when the polling station stopped counting, Buchard had already received over 600 votes here.

Mind you, this is just one district in Paris. Based on proportion, his votes today alone are almost enough to win a House of Representatives seat.

Paris voting will continue for ten days. The entire House of Representatives election concludes a month later.

…

July 27.

On the gravel path leading to the Petit Trianon Palace, Louis XVI looked bitterly at his son and said: “I have a brilliant idea that I urgently need to realize in the workshop, so how about we cancel this afternoon’s exercise?”

Joseph clutched his dad’s arm even more tightly: “See, over the past month and a half, your weight has reduced by 4 kilograms, which is a positive sign of health improvement.

“Furthermore, you must have noticed, you’re more energetic than you were over a month ago.”

Louis XVI nodded: “Indeed. Now even at eleven at night, I can still maintain a clear mind.”

“So exercise won’t affect your inventions, it’ll improve them.

“Moreover, only if you continue exercising can you encourage Mother to keep it up too. You know how important that is for her.”

Louis XVI stopped resisting and brought up the recently hot topic instead: “By the way, I heard the House of Representatives election is almost over?”

Although the election fully concludes a week later, 351 seats have already been decided, excluding North Africa and other remote areas.

Joseph nodded: “Yes, they are already nominating the Speaker.”

“Which faction will win the Speaker?”

“Uh…” Joseph seemed embarrassed and hesitated, “It might be ‘my’ faction.”

“Your faction?” Louis XVI was surprised, “You planted people in the House of Representatives?”

“I swear, this has nothing to do with me.” Joseph sighed, “I don’t know who created a ‘Crown Prince Faction’ and won 57 seats in Paris alone.”

Louis XVI laughed: “That’s very good. I sometimes worry strange people might control the House of Representatives.”