Imperial Senate/Legends



The Imperial Senate was, during the time of the Galactic Empire, the successor of the Galactic Senate of the Galactic Republic. It was established in 19 BBY after the Empire was founded by the self-appointed Emperor, Palpatine.

Besides the name, its organization differed somewhat from its Republican forebear. Whereas the Galactic Senate had held both legislative and executive power, the Imperial Senate held only legislative power (and even with much of that held by the Galactic Senate now in the hands of the Emperor).

The day-to-day head of the Senate was no longer the Vice Chair, but the Grand Vizier. Because of "Human High Culture", most of the alien Senators were replaced by Humans, who ended up representing worlds that were entirely non-Human.

The Senate was, at least in theory, responsible for choosing a new Emperor upon the death or abdication of the current holder of the throne.

However, it was still a prime (if often clandestine) source of resistance to Palpatine's authority, and despite its changes, came to be known as the "last remnant of the Old Republic".

In 0 BBY, Palpatine ordered the Senate shut down "for the duration of the emergency", ostensibly due to the widespread dissemination of the Declaration of Rebellion over the previous months; it was never revived. It was succeded as the Imperial legislature by various councils, most composed of Moffs: the Central Committee of Grand Moffs, the Interim Council, and finally, the Council of Moffs.

7 ABY marked the year that the Imperial Senate was succeeded by the New Republic Senate.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (mentioned)

See also:

 * Senators
 * Senate Hall