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The 1945 Gelonian Great Council was an convocation of the Gelonian Clans to select the form of government of Gelonia, and ultimately served as the only royal election in Gelonian history. It took place at XXXX, in Durnovaria, on 2 May 1945 to 17 May 1945. Alan Rouanti was elected King of Gelonia.

Background

On 12 April 1945, the Ascanium Massacre occurred in Latium and resulted in the death of Constantine XIX Anicius and other members of the Latin Imperial Family, and marked the beginning of the Social War. At the time, Gelonia was a diocese of Latium under the governorship of Eligius Antistius, who was unpopular with the local populace. Initially, central government authorities maintained control in Gelonia, but increasingly faced protests and increasingly violent gatherings led by the GNF and other growing nationalist groups. On April 25, Imperial legions clashed with protestors and over 400 individuals were killed. A week later, two of the four legions stationed in Gelonia were recalled to Adrianople to support the Imperial war effort, which resulted in a gradual breakdown of Latin control in the Gelonian diocese with remaining forces spread thin.

On May 29, Vicar Antistius was recalled from Gelonia by newly proclaimed Empress Diana I Anicia, on the order of her regent Dowager Empress Alexandra. Antistius was ordered to returned to Latium with the sole remaining Gelonian-based legion. Aurelius Canbarico was appointed the last Vicar of Geloina, and would have been the first Gelonian-born vicar; however, he never assumed de facto control of the local government. The collapse of Latin control in Gelonia resulted in a gathering of the Gelonian clan chiefs, who despite their displacement and lack of involvement in the Latin power structure still maintained a place of honor and status in Gelonian society. On 2 May 1945, chiefs from 187 clans gathered in Durnovaria, at what would become Tinolea Palace, to hold the first Seanado in over three centuries. The chiefs first elected a leader of the Seanado, and subsequently laid out plans for restoring order to the diocese.

Despite the Seanado initially setting policy to safeguard Gelonia during the Social War, a number of chiefs began to call for a vote on independence and overthrow of Latin rule in Gelonia. The first vote for independence was held on May 6, but was tabled and later defeated as the chiefs later approved a measure to support the Imperial cause in the Social War in exchange for re-establishing the Seanado and self-government. The courier departed Durnovaria with these terms for Castellum; however, there were never reports that the courier reached Castellum and no Latin response was ever sent back to the Seanado. Due to the lack of response, the Seanado soon voted in favor of independence and the establishment of a Gelonian nation. After four votes, on 17 May 1945, Chief Speaker Comux Margana issued a proclamation for Gelonian independence and ordered any remaining Imperial officials out of "Gelonian lands." A second vote was held for the creation of a Gelonian Army and raising militias. Alan Rouanti was appointed Military Count of Gelonia by the Seanado on May 19.

Votes on form of government

On 21 May 1945, following the Seanado's declaration of independence, the Seanado began debate on establishing a government, with the Seanado appointing a series of interim officials to represent Gelonia internationally and call for support, and fill vacant offices left by Latin officials. Initially, the Seanado continued to maintain Latin government structure in Gelonia. By 1 June 1945, representatives from major Gelonian cities were invited to join the Seanado for debate on the formation of a Gelonian government. Representatives from Sasora were invited to join, but few representatives, if any, were able to travel due to a strong Latin naval presence around Sasora.

A number of factions began to form in the Seanado. While previously the factions were split based on an independence or autonomist basis, this time the line was drawn on monarchy or republic. The largest faction consisted of those that wished to establish a monarchy, with those inside the faction split on what sort of authority a monarch should have in Gelonia. The largest continent of the royalist faction consisted of those that wished to have a strong monarch, similar to that of Latium, while a lesser group wished to install a weaker, more ceremonial monarch, in an effort to win over some of the autonomist faction and Catholic chiefs. A second division evolved between a hereditary or elective monarch, the former favored by Protestant chiefs and the latter favored by Catholic chiefs.

Fabrian chiefs, who also consisted of a strong portion of the autonomist faction, began to offer lukewarm support for a noble republic; however, others in the republican faction, primarily representatives joined from rural cities and municipalities, supported a more typical republic. But it was due to the power of the Seanado that the group began to coalesce and draw up a proposal for classical, noble republic. A minor socialist group of chiefs or municipal representatives withdrew from the republican faction and later presented a proposal for a non-socialist republic.

[thing] Plan

The monarchists eventually settled on a quasi-hereditary monarchy, in which the king was nominally elected, or acclaimed, by the Seanado following the death of his predecessor. The king under the [thing] Plan, would have a series of executive functions, such as appointing the [head of government] and ministers, directing foreign policy, assenting to legislation, among others. The plan did not call for a specified monarch initially, and was expected by supporters to be debated among the Seanado once the plan was selected.

Original drafts of the [Thing Plan] called for a unicameral system, which would be comprised of clan representation alone. However, the plan allowed for clans to determine amongst themselves how to determine representation, in most cases either appointment of the clan chief or intraclan election. The plan evolved to later allow for the establishment of two legislative chambers, one consisting of clan representation and a second based on national election.

Royal election

Ria Rouanti was the senior claimant according to primogeniture.

Alan Rouanti was the senior claimant according to agnatic proximity.

Once the Seanado approved the re-establishment of the monarchy, it requested all claimants submit their claims to the throne within 96 hours. Nearly 15 claimants submitted claims to the Seanado, but only two were seriously considered and referred for a vote, that of Ria Rouanti and Chief Alan Rouanti. Both Ria Rouanti and Alan Rouanti were considered the most senior heirs of their shared grandfather, Riothamus Rouanti. The claim of Ria Rouanti was considered the senior claim according to primogeniture. However, the claim of Alan Rouanti was favored according to agnatic seniority and proximity as the most senior male heir of Riothamus Rouanti.