Imperial Parliament

The Imperial Parliament is the true political power within the Imperial Republic. It is composed of over 5000 members composed of hereditary nobles, representatives of planetary governments, and appointees of private corporations, guilds, religious groups, and other interest groups.

The Parlament is divided into a Council of Twelve, composed of 12 members of Parliament chosen by random lottery once a year, and the Regular Council, composed of virtually all members of the Imperial Parliament not sitting on the Council of Twelve. The parliamentary division into two councils has always occured since the foundation of the Republic in Year 23,786. Until Year 33,044, only half of the Council of Twelve was chosen by random lottery from the ranks of Parliament. Six members of the Council of Twelve until Year 33,044 were appointed by decree of the Emperor of the Republic from the ranks of the Parliament.

Both councils possess legislative powers, but the Regular Council can only vote on bills supported by a majority of the Council of Twelve (at least 7 out of 12 members). However, the Regular Council does possess veto power over the legislative agenda of the Council of Twelve.

Until Year 33,044, the Regular Council could vote on bills sponsored by the ruling Emperor of the Republic, any single member of the Council of Twelve, or any group of Regular Council members numbering at least 25 members. Even so, the Council of Twelve still had to approve any bill passed by the Regular Council.

Executive authority in the Imperial Republic is vested in the Prime Minister appointed by the Council of Twelve, and the Council of Ministers appointed by the Prime Minister. However, any member of the Council of Minister, including the Prime Minister, may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Regular Council.

Until Year 33,044, the Emperor of the Republic had absolute control over who served as Prime Minister or as a member of the Council of Ministers.

Judicial authority within the Imperial Republic is vested in the Supreme Tribunal, composed of 100 members elected by the Regular Counci from it's own ranks, and in subordinate courts appointed by the Supreme Tribunal.

Both the Council of Twelve and the Regular Council routinely meet in joint session.

The Landsraad that used to govern Galactic Primus alongside the planetary Emperors of House Corrino was the forerunner of the Parlament.