Georgeland Presidential election, 2008

The Georgeland Presidential election of 2008 will be the first in Georgeland since 1954. All Presidents from 1958 to 2004 have been appointed by Parliament. In 2004, constitutional reforms brought the directly-elected Presidency back.

Timing
The election may not occur in 2008 at all. When the Constitution of Georgeland was altered in 2004 it grandfathered incumbent President Charlotte Lang, declaring there would be an election at the end of her term. If Lang resigns, retires or dies prior to her term ending (in 2008), there is some confusion as to whether her successor would be elected. It could be argued that though Lang would no longer be President, her term nevertheless does not end until June 1, 2008 (the date specified) and that somebody could be appointed as President to complete Lang's term rather than have to face an election. The issue has not yet been put to the Supreme Court. President Lang has given no indication she does not intend to serve a full term.

Assuming President Lang remains in office until the conclusion of her term, the Presidential election will take place on May 2, 2008, with the winner to be sworn in on June 1.

Potential Candidates
The 2008 election will be the first at which political parties will be allowed to field candidates for the Presidency. As such, speculation is rife about who each party will choose. Prime Minister Campbell Rhodes and his predecessor, Michael Elderton, have both suggested a U.S.-style primary election for the choice of candidates.

So ar, no candidates have nominated for the election.

Liberal Democratic Party of the United Islands
Potential
 * Campbell Rhodes. Retiring at the end of July 2005, speculation is rife Rhodes may attempt a Presidential run in 2008. As a former Prime Minister, and a popular one at that, Rhodes would probably have little difficulty achieving the nomination of his party and could very easily win the election. It should be noted that Rhodes was opposed to an elected Presidency. Rhodes, at 45, would be Georgeland's youngest President if he were to be elected.
 * Robin Sales. The Chief Minister of Long Island has long been thought to have designs on federal politics but has been unable to get enough support. A Presidential run could easily provide him with the opportunity to switch from state to federal politics.
 * Matthew Graham, Mayor of Topstad

Conservative Party of Georgeland

 * Michael Fisch. Another former PM (however briefly), Fisch could be considered as a method for the Right to stop Rhodes winning the Presidency.
 * Patrick Gunning. The Governor of Scoita is nominally Independent but has strong Tory views and is an inactive party member. Popular in Scoita, Gunning's candidacy would be popular in his own state.
 * Kyle Jonas, former Chief Minister of Bradmarch. In June 2005, when asked by an interviewer if he planned a return to politics, Jonas replied "I rule nothing out. Maybe I'll run for President - who knows?"

Georgeland Alliance

 * Michael Elderton was a strong advocate for an elected Presidency. Some consider him a potential candidate, though he has denied any interest.
 * John Bedford. Elected to the Senate in 2005, Bedford is one of the Alliance's few recognised names and one of the only contemporary Georgeland politicians with military experience.

Others/Independents

 * Susan O'Byrne. Opinion polls have shown the former President, who will be 68 in 2008, would win the election in a landslide if she chose to run. O'Byrne has reportedly expressed a desire to serve in public office again.
 * Martin Harrod. The left-wing actor who ran for Governor of West Mainland in 2004 has ties to the Green Party of Georgeland. In an interview on February 17, 2005, Harrod said "The Presidency would give me a chance to get my views heard."
 * Maryanne Hislop. The former Chief Minister of Delmago Island has strong name recognition. Though her United Islands Labour Party no longer exists, Hislop could potentially mount a strong third-party or independent campaign.
 * Charlotte Lang. The incumbent President has given no indication whether or not she intends to run for re-election. Most consider the prospect unlikely, as prior to her appointment she showed no interest in the Presidency. However, as Governor of East Mainland she was very popular, and she has the advantage of incumbency and national visibility.

Implications
The election of a President in Georgeland will alter to some degree at least the nature of Georgeland politics. Critics of a directly-elected Presidency claim the President will claim a mandate and thus try to influence government, creating conflict with Prime Minister and Cabinet. Supporters of an elected Presidency argue that the President would be aware of the conventions of Westminster government, and point out that an elected, but ceremonial, Presidency exists and works in many countries, notably Ireland. They also argue that rarely, if ever, do elected State Governors intervene in the day-to-day business of government.