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The Selidov Administration & The 1900 General Election
Demian Selidov, lower-right, with the State Duma Committee; circa 1899
Historians have discussed the impact Demian Selidov had on the Osladian Empire and her subject states for decades. Some believe the liberal Prime Minister saved a faltering economy and opened the markets for more aspiring entrepreneurs, while others decry Selidov's reforms as being the first step towards the economic downturn of the 1930s and the complete collapse of multiple private industries, which were only restored under the nationalization efforts of the following decade. Regardless of one's stance on the man, his 12 year long administration shaped an era for the Empire and earned Selidov his place in the annals of Osladian history.
Starting in 1888, a young and spry liberal politician with fierce rhetoric of human rights and the freedom of trade, press, and faith, Demian Selidov won the hearts and minds of the general populace in Oslad proper and Loren. His fiery speeches decrying the political clique formed by the Union Party and her 'United Oslad', which in earnest was simply a front of conservative and monarchist politicians against the Liberal-Democrats. Despite his lack of experience, Selidov won his seat in the State Duma and through his popularity brought the Liberal-Democratic Coalition to the forefront of Osladian politics.
Forming a cabinet entirely of fellow members of the Liberal-Democrats, Selidov would spend six years easing state involvement in the economy and cutting taxes on landowners and businesses, much to the dismay of the socialist Agrarian Front and the protectionist Union Party. In addition to these liberal trends, the first Selidov administration brought forth a pacifistic government unwilling to fund colonial ventures to Serrathia or Settumu, instead putting funds to forging new relationships with the powers of the home continent and bringing the Osladian Empire to the front of continental diplomacy and neutrality. After decades of militarist and expansionist foreign policy, the Osladian Empire would enter a period of 'butter over guns' politics. Needless to say, the urban liberals in Oslograd and Toboskoy adored Selidov and when the time came for another election it was without question that the Liberal-Democrats would hold their majority in the Duma.
The Osladian State Duma circa 1894. The Liberal-Democrats (Yellow), Union (Blue), Kadets (Orange), and Agrarian Front (Red)
By 1899 the Selidov administration had been in power for 12 years and, needless to say, the 1900 election would be a life or death struggle between the frustrated Union conservatives and the bloated Liberal-Democrats. The Kadets, a centrist party with ties to both of the giant parties, would become a battleground faction with which both sides would fight to gain their ten seats in the hopes of securing or stealing a majority government. Regardless of the bloodshed of Osladian politics, Selidov himself promised a 'earnest, fair, and stable' electoral period and by January of 1899 plans were already being drawn by all parties and the Selidov government was organizing the 1900 general election.
The Yegorov Tour
Count Vasilyev Yegorov, known by many as 'The Count of Black' was a leading member of the Union Party, a General-leytenant in the Imperial Osladian Army, and the Provincial Governor of Tangary. Born into a noble Tangarian family, Yegorov was one of many 'horseless lords' or Tangarian nobility who had abandoned the traditions of the Tangar Tribes in favor of Osladian faith and culture, a choice that brought him much ridicule among his people. As a military commander Yegorov was a Tangarian at heart, and viewed the mobility of an army as more valuable than anything else. With the invention of steam powered trains and the growing interest in aerial power with the invention of the zeppelin Yegorov quickly began to fill his head with ideas of metal horses and steam powered war machines, however these were viewed as nothing more than fantasy to his peers of the time.
Count Vasilyev Yegorov, the Count of Black. Circa 1902
As a politician, Yegorov was the face of the traditional right-wing nobility in the Empire. Religious, culturally educated, and reformed of his 'heathenish heritage' Yegorov was the poster-boy for the Union Party's ideal leading member. Thus, with the election drawing ever closer, Yegorov began what would become known as 'The Yegorov Tour'. A cross-country tour of every major city in the Empire, calling for men of good faith and loyalty to their Tsar to 'throw out the degenerate' who dominated the Duma. Starting within his home province, the ambitious noble began an early campaign and gained much attention by both sides of the aisle for his bold attacks against the Prime Minister and his liberal policies. While the moderates in the Union party shifted uncomfortably at the idea of such a radical like Yegorov leading the party in any form, the reactionary wing could do nothing but smile and cheer on the count.
