Galactic Republic Chancery election, 3653 BBY

Around 3,653 BBY, the Galactic Senate of the Republic convened to elect a new Supreme Chancellor to lead the democratic government. After the assassination of the previous Chancellor during the Sacking of Coruscant, Cerean Senator Paran Am-Ris took control of Senate activities for an interim period. When the Senate was finally able to gather after the Sith attack, it unanimously voted to relieve the Cerean of his duties and install Senator Dorian Janarus of Coruscant as the new Supreme Chancellor, in recognition of his strong leadership of the planet in the crisis's aftermath.

Background
The Galactic Republic had been enmeshed in the Great Galactic War with the Sith Empire for a number of decades by the year 3,653 BBY, when the Empire ended the war with a surprise attack. The Empire's forces invaded the Republic's capital world, Coruscant, while the Republic's military forces were focused on outlying areas and the two factions had envoys negotiating a peace treaty. The Sith overwhelmed Coruscant quickly. The Jedi Temple was ransacked, Supreme Chancellor Berooken was assassinated before the Republic's peace envoy was compelled to sign the Treaty of Coruscant that forced it to divide the galaxy between the factions and abandon allies in the outer regions in exchange for ending hostilities. This brought about a Cold War between the two factions.

Until an election could be held to formally select a new Chancellor, Senator Paran Am-Ris, was appointed for the interim. Meanwhile, longtime Coruscanti Senator Dorian Janarus took charge in the aftermath of the Sacking of Coruscant, assessing the damage and directing efforts to help the people in their time of need. He was viewed as a great leader not only to the Coruscanti, but also to the entire Republic.

Candidates
Senator Dorian Janarus was a representative in the Galactic Senate for Coruscant for many years before the emergence of the Sith Empire in 3,681 BBY and the beginning of the Great Galactic War, but these events made him a prominent figure. While he felt his position was fulfilling, he always aspired to gain the Chancellorship and the prestige that came with it. On Coruscant, he acted to maintain the civility of Coruscant by pacifying the people following the Sith attack.

Election and aftermath
The Coruscanti people and the Republic's politicians were glutted by hope in response to the leadership of Senator Janarus and the thousands of representatives in the Galactic Senate voted unanimously to replace the acting Chancellor with Janarus for a four year term.

In the years after his election to the position, Janarus's support waned as the costs to rebuild Coruscant grew: many of the Republic's representative star systems were strained economically by this. He was also disliked by the military, who were irritated by his refusal to combat sedition in the government. Despite this, Janarus was re-elected to his position in 3,649 and 3,645 BBY. These were small affairs as the candidates feared assassination by the Sith Empire.

Behind the scenes
Dorian Janarus was an influential character in Star Wars: The Old Republic, a video game released by BioWare. To hype their game, BioWare released a number of articles through the game's official website, in the Holonet section, that provided background information on various subjects. Janarus's article documented his unanimous election to the position of Supreme Chancellor, which he held during the game.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: The Old Republic