The Enabling

The Enabling was a political controversy in Urcea during the early 1900s which took place during the Restoration era. Following the conclusion of the Red Interregnum enactment of the Constitutional Settlement Act of 1902, Urcea's Constitutional order remained fragile or non-existent, and the next regularly scheduled election was not to occur until 1905. Accordingly, the Conshilía Purpháidhe passed the Enabling Act of 1903, which gave the Apostolic King of Urcea extraordinary executive powers (including those normally reserved to the Procurator) until such time of an election could take place. The extent of this act - expiring in 1905 - created significant disruption among the National Pact, which Patrick III selected to form a provisional government in his name. Members of the party from the Ionian Plateau - a traditionally Royalist area - sought the Enabling Act to be effective until 1910 and sought "Royal reconstruction" of the nation, prioritizing the strong hand of the King in restoring the economy, security, and institutions of Urcea. The mainstream of the party, however, believed such an act would destroy the Constitutional order and prioritized a return to normal constitutional proceedings as soon as democratic elections could take place. The Enabling Act was eventually narrowly passed by the Conshilía Purpháidhe with the 1905 end date. This division lead to the Ionians splitting from the Pact and establishing the monarchist Julian Party, which would become a significant political party throughout the 20th century.