Saionji Kinmochi
In 1914, after heated debate, Hara was appointed the president of the "Rikken Seiyūkai" to replace the outgoing leader, Saionji Kinmochi. Under Hara's leadership, "Rikken Seiyūkai" first lost its majority control of the Diet in the 1915 general elections, but regained its majority in the 1917 general elections.