- "We have always fought the Empire. But the Empire is gone now. Only bands remain. Someday we must move beyond the Rebellion and into a true government. Part of that, Leia, is accepting those who lived under the Empire but did not serve it."
- ―Mon Mothma, to Leia Organa Solo
In 17 ABY, the Senate of the New Republic passed a amnesty bill granting full voting rights to former personnel of the Galactic Empire and allowed for any to run for elected office and hold political positions in the New Republic. Chief of State Leia Organa Solo also amended the bill to ensure that former governors, stormtroopers, and high-ranking officials were excluded from amnesty.
Description[]
- "These people were serving the Rebellion too, in their own way."
- ―M'yet Luure
The amnesty bill was championed by Senator M'yet Luure after several planets had petitioned the Senate to allow former Imperials who had served as minor functionaries in the Empire to gain office as elected officials. While supported by former Chief of State Mon Mothma, but bitterly opposed by current Chief of State Leia Organa Solo. If passed by the Senate, it would grant full voting rights to former Imperials and allowed to run for office, and to hold political positions in the New Republic.[1] The purpose of the bill was also to make the possibility of a lasting peace seem more attractive to the Imperial Remnant, which was still in conflict with the New Republic at the time.[2]
Passage[]
- "This is wrong. This is how it all started before."
- ―Leia Organa Solo
Ultimately, Luure case was strong and the Senate passed the bill, but the Chief of State Organa was still able to amend the election law with the help of her supporters to ensure that former Imperial governors, stormtroopers, and high-ranking officials would still be excluded from amnesty and barred from gaining higher office in the New Republic.[1]
Aftermath[]
- "We can't be afraid of our colleagues forever. We voted to allow former Imperials into the Senate. We have to accept them now."
- ―C-Gosf
The passage of the bill was followed by elections to the Senate which returned a large number of pro-Imperials, including Meido, immediately causing a political crisis in the New Republic after the Bombing of the Senate Hall at the start of the Almanian Uprising.[1]
Ironically, while the bill was supported by pro-Imperials in the New Republic and despite its goal for promoting an eventual peace, the Moff Council saw it as the New Republic preparing to invade the Imperial Remnant, and led to them launching the Imperial Skirmishes later that year.[2]
Appearances[]
- The New Rebellion (First mentioned)
Sources[]
- The Essential Chronology
- The New Essential Chronology
- The Essential Atlas
- The Essential Guide to Warfare