Guild Wars 2 is entering the take-no-prisoners world of fake politics. The "Cutthroat Politics" update is coming on July 23, with a host of changes and a little light political satire in tow.

You'll find yourself choosing between one of two candidates hoping to earn the coveted seat on the Captain's Council of Lion's Arch. Ellen Kiel is an old war hero, and Evon Gnashblade is a prominent local merchant. It's the classic "veteran versus CEO" choice that's not uncommon in actual elections. You'll use support tokens and coins to help determine the winner, as the campaign lasts until August 5. The official site even has made some campaign ads for the two.

This is also part of the new two week update schedule, so the big political event is coming alongside several smaller changes. It packs a Southern Survival event in which you scavenge for goods and face off against other players, an Aspect Arena, and Candidate Trials in which you take on waves of enemies to support your candidate. New rewards include the Desert Rose and Zephyr Rucksack items, and a mini versions of the candidates.