Imperial Senate/Legends



"I am the Senate."

- Palpatine

The Imperial Senate was, during the time of the Galactic Empire, the successor of the Galactic Senate of the Republic.

History
The Imperial Senate was established in 19 BBY after the Empire was founded by the self-appointed Galactic Emperor Palpatine. Although at the time of the Empire's formation a supermajority of senators were loyal to Palpatine, the Imperial Senate 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 remnants of the Old Republic". Certain Senators (many of whom later joined the Rebellion) were known for using the Senate as a platform to voice proposals attempting to moderate Palpatine's rule, although always under the guise of perfect loyalty.

In 0 BBY (35:3:5), Palpatine ordered the Senate to be 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 succeeded as the Imperial legislature by various councils, most composed of Moffs: the Central Committee of Grand Moffs, the Interim Ruling Council, and finally, the Council of Moffs.

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

Powers
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) by orders of the Senate Constitution. The Senate could advise the Emperor and work on the Imperial budget. However, the Emperor could both introduce and veto Senate legislation, and both called and dismissed the Senate to meeting.

The Senate could pass amendments to the Imperial Charter, and apparently had at least nominal oversight of the Imperial Military.

The day-to-day head of the Senate was no longer the Vice Chair, but the Grand Vizier. 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.

Composition
The Imperial Senate was made up of groups of Senators and representatives, representing sectors in the Empire. Some were elected directly, while others were appointed by a planet's ruler.

Because of "Human High Culture", most of the alien Senators were replaced by Humans, who ended up representing worlds that were entirely non-Human. However, alien senators were not unheard of, especially in the early days of the Empire.

Documents
Documents relating to the Imperial Senate included:


 * Capital Powers Act
 * Decree 77-92465-001
 * Emergency Military Powers Act
 * Imperial Charter
 * Senate Constitution

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
 * The Last of the Jedi: Death on Naboo
 * The Princess Leia Diaries
 * First Impressions
 * Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
 * The Rebel Club
 * X-wing: Rogue Squadron
 * Children of the Jedi