Transfer Of Power

[Big Guy]

A country involved in a war on the other side of the world is split between two major factions. There is a long and heated campaign with one group wanting to take power away from the current government. It results in a close election: With 17.5 million people voting, the current majority government, a right wing Conservative party receives about 5.5 million votes but the center left wing Liberal party receives about 7 million votes and is entitled to a majority mandate. But also as a result, 10 million or 60% of voters did not get the government that they wanted

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/new-liberal-government-sworn-in-today

Soon, the day arrives when power has to be handed over to the new group. There are no riots and there are no soldiers in the streets. The thousands gathered in Ottawa do not form an angry mob but instead applaud enthusiastically as the members of the new Cabinet stroll, as a group, behind their leader, waving to the cheering crowd. As this parade approaches the government buildings to be sworn in, the leader and his wife are met by their three young children (and the leaders mother) who run out to embrace them.

The official transfer of power now takes place, not in a fortified bunker with soldiers and police guarding the occupants and periodic interruptions of the sound of gunfire but instead it takes place in a spacious hall filled with well wishers from around the world. This formal swearing in ceremony takes place interrupted periodically only with the sound of children singing. There has been a peaceful major shift in the governing power structure of the 35th largest nation on earth.

Canada, what a wonderful place to live!

Edited November 5, 2015 by Big Guy

[The_Squid]

Most western democracies don't have riots and soldiers after an election. Canada is not special in that regard.

[ToadBrother]

Most western democracies don't have riots and soldiers after an election. Canada is not special in that regard.

And actually, in our constitutional tradition, the peaceful transfer of power stems not from our democratic institutions per se, but from the Bill of Rights, 1689 Act of Settlement 1701, the former entrenching Parliament's supremacy over the executive, and the latter fixing the succession so there would be no more English Civil Wars, Cromwellian usurpations or Dutch invasions to save us from Catholic monarchs!