1900 Viridi federal election

Federal Elections were held in Viridi for the inaugural Parliament of Viridi on Thursday 1 February 1900 to elect all 501 members to the Viridi Chamber of Deputies. The elections followed the signing of the Charter of Viridi and the establishment of the United Kingdoms of Viridi on 1 January 1900.

The first Prime Minister of Viridi, Edward Hopetoun, went into the inaugural 1900 federal election as the appointed head of a Liberal Party caretaker government. The Liberals emerged as the largest party in terms of votes and seats, but were 90 seats short of a majority. The incumbent government remained in power by forming a coalition with the Conservatives, with the support of the Republicans on basis of confidence and supply, while the Democratic Labour Party formed the opposition.

Then Prime Minister Edward Hopetoun entered parliament at this election, as did two future Prime Ministers, Joseph H. Macdonald and E. V. Everett.

Background
The Charter of Viridi of the 19 kingdoms and 4 republics of Andalusia came into effect on 1 January 1900 to establish the United Kingdoms of Viridi. An election was held across Viridi on 2 February 1900 to elect all 501 members to the inaugural Viridi Chamber of Deputies. Under article 3 of the Charter of Viridi the Senate of Viridi was appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister of Viridi and the heads of the 19 individual kingdoms to represent the nobility of Viridi.

By the time of the election five large parties had formed, the Liberal Party, led by Edward Hopetoun, the Democratic Labour Party led by Joseph H. MacDonald, the Republicans led by former Aurelian President Chris Howe, the pro-business Conservatives led by Norman Peters and the Protectionist Party, led by Elbert Valaria.

Edward Hopetoun was appointed interim Prime Minister by Accius I to act on a caretaker basis during negotiations of the charter in 1894. He formed the Liberal Party in 1895 and his cabinet contested the election as the incumbent government, advocating for the introduction of old aged pensions, a national army, the construction of a transcontinental railway, the breaking up of large land monopolies owned by wealthy nobles and the redistribution of these to smaller co-operatives and the establishment of large national parks.

The Democratic Labour Party was formed weeks before the election by disillusioned Hopetoun cabinet minister, Joseph H. MacDonald, to campaign for the anti-Liberal vote. The DLP advocated the retention of tarrifs, opting to leave most trade to the states and advocating for the the smallest possible federal government to leave most important matters like old aged pensions and defence to member kingdoms and republics.

The Republicans mainly advocated the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a Republic similar to the United States of America, with the majority of their support coming from the former republics of Aurelia, Haevum, Icobi-Johannes and Molnas. Chris Howe, the former President of Aurelia was known to despise Accius I, which prompted him to form the party in 1894 after his coronation. This would be the only election in which the Republicans would play any pivotal role.

The anti-socalist Conservatives advocated for a smaller federal government, but unlike the DLP, advocated for a strong national army. They were led by Italo-Ethiopian war hero Norman Peters.

The Protectionists, led by unionist Elbert Valaria advocated the protection of local industries through the imposition of tariffs on imported goods, and the establishment of a national army. This would be the only election contested by the party, merging into the Democratic Labour Party before the 1903 election.

All mainstream parties supported the Charter of Viridi.

Results
Chamber of Deputies

Under Article 9 of the Charter of Viridi universal suffrage was granted to every citizen of Viridi over the age of 21. Voter turnout was 78.1%.