Coruscant's provisional government

Coruscant's provisional government was established on the planet Coruscant in the aftermath of the collapse of the Galactic Empire, forming from the regime's local authorities on Coruscant. Grand Vizier Mas Amedda was designated to lead this transitional government, who retained his position for his part in ending the Galactic Civil War, which New Republic observers were tasked with monitoring the provisional government.

Throughout the Empire's reign, Coruscant was the political and cultural center of the galaxy. With the death of Galactic Emperor Sheev Palpatine in 4 ABY, however, the planet fell into a state of civil war as rebellious citizens fought against Imperial forces across much of Coruscant. During the conflict, the Emperor's nominal successor, Grand Vizier Mas Amedda, was imprisoned in the Imperial Palace by forces loyal to Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax, who seized power as the self-styled Counselor to the Empire.

Following the Battle of Jakku, the Galactic Empire was represented by Amedda at the signing of the Galactic Concordance, a peace treaty that officially ended the war in 5 ABY. The New Republic then allowed a provisional government to be formed on Coruscant with Amedda as its figurehead.

History

Origins

Main articles: Galactic Empire and Coruscanti government

Throughout the millennia the galaxy's political power was concentrated on the Core World Coruscant,^[6] and the alleged homeworld of humanity^[7] became a galactic hub of cultural diversity from the age of the Galactic Republic to the reign of the Galactic Empire.^[8] When Galactic Emperor Sheev Palpatine was killed at the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY,^[9] the Empire splintered into various political and military factions^[10] such as Governor Ubrik Adelhard's domain in the Anoat sector.^[11] At the same time, the Alliance to Restore the Republic capitalized on its victory at Endor by reforming itself into the New Republic.^[12] Meanwhile, the Empire's authority became increasingly diminished across the galaxy.^[13]

Coruscant fell into a state of civil war between Imperial forces and Rebel factions fighting for control of the Federal District as well as other government sectors.^[1] Grand Vizier Mas Amedda sought to negotiate his personal surrender to the New Republic. He secretly met with a Republic delegation on Velusia during the final months of the war, seeking amnesty for his role in the Emperor's regime. Neither Chancellor Mon Mothma nor Senator Leia Organa were willing to settle for Amedda alone, however, and demanded that he instead surrender the whole of the Galactic Empire. Their conditions left the Grand Vizier stunned; despite his legal authority, he did not have the power to force the Empire to capitulate.^[5]

Amedda returned to Coruscant where he contemplated suicide, knowing that the Republic would not accept a treaty unless he could give them the Empire's unconditional surrender.^[5] As Amedda's influence waned, Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax assumed de facto control of the regime as the self-styled Counselor to the Empire. His supporters on Coruscant seized custody of Amedda and placed him under house arrest in the Imperial Palace, forcing the Grand Vizier to become Rax's figurehead for propaganda purposes.^[1]

Formation

Within a year of the Emperor's death, the Empire was decisively defeated by the Republic at the Battle of Jakku, resulting in the death of Counselor Rax. Though a few Imperial remnants continued to persist in their resistance, the Galactic Civil War came to an end^[1] in 5 ABY.^[9] Following the collapse of the Galactic Empire, a provisional government on Coruscant was established under the transitional leadership of Mas Amedda. The Grand Vizier had represented the remaining Imperial government at the signing of the peace treaty, known as the Galactic Concordance, on Chandrila. The New Republic in turn allowed Amedda to lead the provisional government on Coruscant, but only as a powerless figurehead.^[1]

The conditions of the Concordance required the transfer of Coruscant from Imperial control,^[14] with a provisional government formed to rule in the interim. As such, New Republic observers were tasked with monitoring the provisional government.^[1]

Despite Amedda being designated^[1] as provisional leader,^[15] the people of Coruscant celebrated the New Republic's victory over the Galactic Empire and the official end of the Galactic Civil War. Unlike before, after the Battle of Endor, the Coruscanti were allowed to celebrate in public by the provisional government. The New Republic encouraged this festive atmosphere that spread across Coruscant and other planets throughout the galaxy, as a way to distinguish the New Republic Era from the Empire's reign.^[1]

Legacy

The provisional government was ultimately followed by Coruscant joining the New Republic, thereby allowing it to have representation in the Galactic Senate as a member world of the fledgling democracy. During the later years of the New Republic, Coruscant was part of a political bloc that advocated the adoption of a stronger military and centralized government, informally known as the Centrists. By the time of the Napkin Bombing in 28 ABY, Coruscanti political interests were represented by Senior Senator Arbo and Junior Senator Orris Madmund, both of whom supported the goals of the Centrist faction. Senator Arbo was well known for his war hawk views and support of the New Republic Defense Force.^[17]

Organization

Main article: Grand Vizier

Coruscant's provisional government was a powerless regime^[1] led de facto^[15] by Mas Amedda, the Grand Vizier of the former Galactic Empire. Although Amedda was allowed to continue his rule on the former Imperial capital, having played his part in surrendering the Empire and ending the Galactic Civil War, the New Republic's overseers on Coruscant ensured that he would only serve as a figurehead for the provisional government.^[1]

Coruscant was in a state of turmoil at the time of the provisional government's formation,^[1] having experienced a decline in public order^[18] and the planetary civil war that followed in the wake of Emperor Palpatine's death.^[19] With the signing of the Galactic Concordance, the provisional government lacked the power to suppress the Coruscanti who celebrated the Empire's downfall. Under the New Republic's oversight, the provisional government allowed the civilian population to openly celebrate in the streets of Imperial City without the threat of reprisal.^[1]

Behind the scenes

Coruscant's provisional government was first mentioned in the 2017 novel Aftermath: Empire's End, which was written by Chuck Wendig.^[1]

Appearances

• Aftermath: Empire's End (and audiobook) (First mentioned)

Sources

• Star Wars: On the Front Lines (Indirect mention only)
• Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition (First identified as Coruscant's provisional government)
• The Star Wars Book (Indirect mention only)
• Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy

Notes and references