Rim faction

The Rim faction was one of the two major factions of senators and representatives in the Galactic Senate during the last years of the Old Republic. Racially most were alien, and geographically most came from the Mid Rim, Outer Rim, and the various special interest groups (such as the Techno Union and Trade Federation). They advocated reducing the power and influence of the Republic government, especially in economic and trade matters. Orn Free Taa was its leader, and they were opposed by the Core faction.

The Rim faction were strong opponents of Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum, and were quick to seize upon his weakness in the aftermath of the Eriadu Trade Summit disaster of 33 BBY. In the hope of restricting his ability to pass legislation unfavorable to them, Taa directed the Rim faction to elect Mas Amedda, one of their own, into the powerful position of Vice Chair.

The next year, it was the strong support of the Rim faction for Amidala's vote of no confidence that enabled the toppling of Valorum and the ensuing election for Chancellor. Once more on the nomination of Taa, Palpatine, despite being independent of any Senate political grouping, was the Rim faction's nomination for Chancellor. It is possible that because of his neutrality, a rogue section of the Rim faction backed Ainlee Teem for Chancellor. However, Palpatine won.

Taa's hope that Palpatine could be controlled, or at least counted on to not be a nuisance, were eventually realized as false when he ensured the Core faction's attachment to him. During the Separatist Crisis and Clone Wars, a large number of the Rim faction's membership became Separatists and either left or were expelled from the Senate. Despite the continued loyalty of Taa and Amedda, this cobmined with Palpatine's courting of the Core faction resulted in great weakning of the Rim faction. Following the end of the Clone Wars and the establishment of the New Order, the nationalization of major corporations by the Galactic Empire and the implementation of High Human Culture presumably effectively eliminated the Rim faction from the Imperial Senate.