Galactic Emperor/Legends

"By bringing the entire galaxy under one law, one language, and the enlightened guidance of one individual, the corruption that plagued the Republic in its later years will never take root."

- Palpatine

Galactic Emperor was the title of the Head of State of the Galactic Empire and, later, the new Galactic Empire.

Powers and functions
"As the Emperor wills it, so shall it be."

- Darth Vader

The Galactic Emperor's power and authority were mainly derived from those of the Supreme Chancellor and the additional rights bestowed upon that office by the Galactic Senate during the Separatist crisis and Clone Wars. The Emperor was the head of the Imperial Inner Circle, and at least technically was advised by the Senate.

The Emperor was the head of state, a heavy head of goverment, and commander-in-chief of the Empire, and had absolute authority over the military and the Empire. The Emperor had sole power to appoint and dismiss the regional governors. The Emperor declared the budget and economy, ordered the Imperial Senate into session, and dismissed it from meeting. The Emperor could introudce, pass, and veto Senate legislation. The Emperor had the power to be a strong dictator, replace the Empire, and had the power to enforce laws and head every single descion. The Emperor also had power to appoint other offcials in goverment and declare orders.

Succession
Palpatine was the first and only official Emperor of the first Galactic Empire&mdash;most of the Imperial leaders who followed were not recognized by all Imperials or never made use of the title of Emperor. One, Sate Pestage, seems to have legitimately held the title in the interim between Palpatine's death at Endor and his expected return; however, Pestage was killed before Palpatine did return, leaving the throne apparently unoccupied.

Emperor Palpatine's official heir would normally be Darth Vader as his Sith apprentice; however, there were indications that he never intended this to happen&mdash;he wanted Vader's son, Luke Skywalker, to take his father's place at Palpatine's side by killing Vader. However, Palpatine had prepared clone bodies of himself to take his place after his deaths, so there was never an official method for choosing a new Emperor.

In the Declaration of a New Order, Palpatine's speech had indicated that the Imperial Senate would elect the Galactic Emperor, but no one in the Imperial High Command had any desire to restore a body that would probably dissolve the Empire, so many Imperial commanders became rogue warlords after the Battle of Endor.

Under the Imperial Remnant, the role of Imperial Head of State was assumed by Supreme Commander of the Imperial Fleet.

It was unclear what led to the appointment of Fel I as Emperor, but the title clearly became hereditary; i.e., not dependent upon election or appointment. The Council of Moffs opposed this concept when Princess Marasiah Fel was to be future Empress of the Empire. Some, like Admiral Veed, silently schemed to usurp the throne.

When the New Sith Order took over Darth Krayt abolished this system in his faction, thus becoming the absolute ruler of the empire. Roan Fel, on the other hand, retained this system in his faction, making Princess Sia his heir apparent and future ruler over what was left of their territory.

List of Galactic Emperors and other interim rulers
See list of Galactic Empire rulers.

Behind the scenes

 * Kyle Katarn becomes the new Emperor in the alternative non-canon option of Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, succeeding Jerec.


 * There is some confusion as to whether Ysanne Isard actually claimed the title Empress or not. While Evil Never Dies: The Sith Dynasties referred to her as Empress, other works such as Wedge's Gamble contradict this, and it is possible that this reference was figurative.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith novel
 * ''Star Wars Empire: Betrayal
 * Star Wars Journal: The Fight for Justice
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope novel
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * Star Wars Missions 8: Togorian Trap
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back novel
 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * Shadows of the Empire novel
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi novel
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Boba Fett: Agent of Doom
 * Star Wars Legacy: Broken
 * Star Wars Legacy 4: Noob
 * Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II