How to increase oligarch senate seats

[Montelbon]

I'm playing as the Bosphoran League and am trying to become a dictatorship without having to go through a civil war. I need to increase the olgarch support to 80 but no matter what I do I can't seem to get them above 38 seats in the senate. What can I do to increase their senate seats to 80? I have already given every single government office to a member of the oligarch party and use the 'manipulate candidates' as often as I can. However the senate seats is actually ticking down to 37 instead of moving up at all. What am I missing?

 

[IsaacCAT]

Senate influence is mainly provided by power base. You need to give powerful Oligarchs the best positions in goverment and negate the other factions powerful characters the chance to influence the Senate.

There are two positions in the Senate that give you more senate influence, the Agoranomus (+10% senate influence) and the Themostete (+15% senate influence). You want to designate the most power base oligarch in your nation in both positions. Normally, Heads of Family.

On the other hand, to negate other heads of families that are not oligarchs to have any senate influence, you should send them as legates or governors. Because this is dangerous, you should choose a small region or legion to put these heads of families so they do not become rebellious.

Finally, your admiral should also be an oligarch, as admirals do not have their senate influence negated and they can be very powerful depending on how many units they have in their command.

Themosthete Senate Influence bonus

Governor -100% senate influence

Legate -100% senate influence

Admiral Senatorial Influence based on navies

List of democrat influential characters that you have to negate

Characters by power base: the first three are heads of families you have to negate their senate influence as they are not oligarchs​

 

[Montelbon]

excellent, thank you so much for taking the time to make this detailed explanation. I had no idea that these mechanics even existed. This will be very helpful.

 

[Hootieleece]

One way to help is makes sure the Themosthete (or the equivalent of Censor) is an Oligarch. That office influences the characters into drifting toward that party if the character isn't a party leader. Especially good to influence young characters.

Also, appoint as few Democrats to government positions as possible.....even if they have better stats!

Also try to make sure your ruler is an Oligarch and has high Oratory Skill to make Friends with promising characters you want to convert to Oligarchs.