Chancellor of the New Republic

The Chancellor of the New Republic, commonly just Chancellor, was the title given to the leader of the Galactic Senate of the New Republic. Mon Mothma of Chandrila was the first individual and founder of the office following the formation of the New Republic in 5 ABY. Though the title is rather formal and subject to extensive reformation and deprivation of powers, it still retains political weight in the galactic government and supports to maintain a common political consensus, most notably during the tenure of Mon Mothma, that allowed for a stable government to come to power permanently.

After her term ended and the New Republic found itself as the galactic authority, differing views emerged in the form of political factions, the Centrists and the Populists, who disagreed on the extent to which the Republic should have had centralized power as not to repeat the mistakes of the First Galactic Republic. A new and more powerful executive office, those of the First Senator, was proposed to replace the office of Chancellor, but the debates in the Senate do not end in consensus. The election of Leia Organa as Chancellor, whom Centrists as well as Populists regarded as suited for the office, largely ended the debate between both factions.

During the New Republic's existance, it has been ruled by six Chancellors so far, every one of those former senators of the Galactic Senate. Calls for reform that would enable politicians of the broader populous to be voted in as Chancellors have been made repeatedly.

Powers and abilities
Offically, the Chancellor is the president of the Galactic Senate and civilian commander-in-chief of the Combined Defense Forces of the New Republic. The position by itself is referred to by a number of titles: "Chancellor" in media and official correspondings, "Chief" in personal or government offices, and multiple variations based on translations from Basic. When addressing the Chancellor, they are usually referred to as either Chancellor or Chief.

A Chancellor is elected by a "fifty percent plus one" majority vote of the Galactic Senate. If the Chancellor was incapacitated, incommunicado, or dead, the chairman of the General Ministry would select an acting Chancellor from among the following: any former Chancellor, the current Minister of State, or any former Minister of State. This person would than act as an interim Chancellor until the proper Chancellor returned or the Senate could elect a new Chancellor.

The Chancellor could be recalled by a majority vote of the Senate on presentation of a petition of no-confidence by a majority of the General Ministry, or by a quarter of the members of the Senate. The Senate also enforces term limits for Chancellors: they are to hold the office for five years, and a re-election is not possible. However, in the case of a Chancellor not able to execute their office, a former Chancellor might rule as long as the Senate allows to.