More coalitions likely on the horizon!

Marriages of political convenience, personality splits within political party rank and file, leadership uncertainties and potential budget blow outs. The list goes on and on but it seems jockeying for positions to win favour with potential voters, will be high on the agenda as the 2 main political parties (DEMO and CIP) and 2 minor parties (Independent and Te Kura O Te Au) gear up for campaign mode in the build up to the general elections.
An important question that remains high on the minds of the voting public as they wait with bated breath will be whether or not Prime Minister Jim Marurai will call a snap election within the next few weeks or will he take it to the wire. From an outside perspective, the perceived performance or lack of from our politicians, has brought about mounting cries from a disillusioned public pushing for change irrespective of political allegiances.
Primarily, this involves those who are referred to as “the old guard” including Maoate, Vavia, Marurai, Wigmore, Tangi, Ioane and Taia from the DEMO camp to Marsters, George and Peua from the CIP. Included in this category are non performers Nicholas, Rua, Pukeiti, Tupa although young guns Rasmussen, Pickering, Maoate Jnr, Glassie, Eggleton, Piho and Heather Jnr have yet to prove themselves. Exceptions are believed to be popular MP’s Teina Bishop, Ngamau Munukoa and Teariki Heather.
Although the CIP seem to have the current advantage of remaining relatively uncontroversial and have gotten on with the preparation and planning process for an election, the DEMOs on the other hand, have had to constantly struggle with leadership, identity and personality issues that have left them reeling and struggling to retain any sense of credibility that has created major splits within its own ranks and could possibly cost them the elections.
Any attempts at trying to reunite can only be construed as “cosmetic or politically convenient” in what is seen as a last minute attempt to win support but the general public are much wiser and smarter and are unlikely to be fooled as they were in 2006.
Emerging trends show voter shifts within the major parties and a general lack of confidence and suspicion towards them. There is also a move towards voting for the person rather than for the party and this is likely to have consequential impacts on the voting outcomes for each party constituency and candidate.
Newcomers on the political scene the Independents and Te Kura O Te Au, the party that initially claimed it was not a political party but a movement instead, will add an interesting twist to the possible outcome of the elections and will more than likely influence and change the political environment that we have been traditionally used to in the past.
Of course not forgetting the introduction of new candidates with no political experience whatsoever who display a sense of self determination to win no matter what the price but are likely to have a major influence or impact on this election outcome.
Another concern following closer analysis, is a scary suspicion of “viper tactics” applied by one or two candidates who have been going through the Puna’s offering “incentives” on the provision they vote for a certain candidate. This strategy can be regarded as “dirty politics” and there is no room for this type of politicking. But the harsh reality remains, that our Cook Islands political system that we have been traditionally accustomed to, is in dire need for change.
Voting patterns are definitely changing. Candidate selections are likely to be much wider to encompass all sectors of our society including the call for more gender representation but it is questionable as to whether or not, we are ready for this change given our cultural, traditional and political structures.
There is also a certain sense of political naivety amongst our current and intending politicians, some who lack depth, wisdom and experience but who are likely to influence the future of our political system.
Although the experience with coalitions over the past 10 years has not been encouraging in terms of economic stability and development, the current trends indicate the emergence of potential coalition partnerships as there is no clear direction which party is likely to win the confidence and support of the majority of a voting population that is currently starved of leadership stability, policy direction and future political uncertainty.
Although coalition partnerships are not regarded as politically ideal, they cannot be ignored. The inevitable question is will they be any better than what we’ve got! That certainly will be food for thought and a challenge for this coming election.

Herald Issue 463 10 June
- World famous activist assisting residents
- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
- Forestry project sucking Mangaia dry
- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?