President of the IPA

The president of the IPA is the elected head of the IPA Senate. Their vote counts three times a normal senator or ruler’s vote and they are often given more attention from the media. They are also considered the leader of the IPA.

Qualifications

As one of the most important roles in the entire galaxy, presidents of the IPA are not elected lightly. In order to be suitable for nomination, candidates must have enough experience to handle the immense workload that comes with the position. The most important qualification is that they are a current senator or another diplomatic official, generally with someone available to take their vacancy. They cannot be a ruler of a planet or the leader of another organization. They must have at least five years of experience in the IPA Senate and must be evaluated by a psychologist and doctor to determine they are of sound mind and body.

Requirements

Aside from experience and academics, there are few other requirements that allow a senator to be eligible for election to president. Species and gender are not considered important for the role, but the candidates must be at least thirty standard years old. There is no maximum age, due to the longevity of certain species.

Appointment

Every ten years, or shortly after the president dies during their term, the IPA senate is gathered together to vote for a new president. Up to ten senators can be nominated at the beginning of the process. Once the candidates have been chosen, their histories and connections are thoroughly examined to ensure they are eligible for election. During this phase, one or two candidates will often be eliminated. After all remaining candidates have been evaluated and approved, voting begins. There are several rounds of voting over the next week, with no one outside the senate building allowed to know of the results. Candidates are slowly narrowed down until the winner is chosen in the last round. The new president is announced to the public and inaugurated within a month.

Duties

The entire galaxy holds the IPA to the highest ideals, and even though those ideals are slowly crumbling, most people still look up to its leaders as role models and inspirations. As the most powerful individual in the IPA senate, this is especially true for the president. Upon appointment to their rank, the president is encouraged to keep to the highest modicum of integrity possible. In order to preserve this image of focus, self-control, and morally sound reasoning, IPA presidents carefully consider invitations to events, learn and relearn alliances and rivalries between senators, study planetary issues, and protect all aspects of their personal lives. Any association with characters of dubious intent can put black 

by Lilliana Casper

marks on their records, saying the wrong thing to the wrong people can cause their reputations to be tarnished, and failing to keep their lives secret can lead to blackmail, threats, and public backlash.

Responsibilities

The position of president is mostly a formality because of the democratic nature of the IPA. However, the president is required to approve of subjects sent to vote, sign documents, and inform news organizations of decisions. The president is the first one to reveal the results of important votes and anything the senate agrees on is stamped and signed by the president. The president is also expected to attend events that benefit the IPA such as dinners with senators, charity fundraisers, and political celebrations such as royal weddings, coronations, and diplomatic inaugurations.

Benefits

The position of President of the IPA is a prestigious title that nearly everyone in the galaxy knows about. Many people look up to them, seeing them as examples of what they could one day achieve. Even more people attempt to gain the president's favor, eager for attention from the most influential individual in the galaxy. On top of political power, the president is given an exorbitant salary, the exact digit of which is still unknown. They are also given an impressive suite of rooms in the senate building itself, where they and a few members of their family reside.

Accoutrements & Equipment

While there is no official uniform for the president, they are expected to wear formal clothes whenever they are in a public setting. Only in their private chambers are they allowed to relax and wear anything they choose. When in public, they are also required to wear a simple metal bracelet made of interlocking links to represent the IPA's declaration against slavery.

A draft of the IPA crest by Lilliana Casper

---

Type

Civic, Political

Status

Active

Form of Address

Mr/Ms President; Sir/Madam

Alternative Naming

Often referred to simply as the leader of the IPA

Equates to

The president is often seen as the most powerful political person in the galaxy and as such, they have very little competition. However, some planets insist that no one is equal to their ruler and other planetary alliances exist with their own power structures. It is generally believed that the president is equal in position to the leaders of other planetary unions.

Source of Authority

The IPA Senate, who elected the president to the rank

Length of Term

Ten years is the max a president can be in office for. They are never allowed to take the position again once their term has ended.

Related Locations

• Zenricho

Related Organizations

• The Interplanetary Peace Alliance

---

Notable Holders

President Aliyaah Rashaya, the president during the Polaris Collapse
President Johann Vetrusias, the president when slavery was outlawed
President Winthrop Reuben, the first president to be removed from office
President Calla Intsisia, the president when Haspanic joined the IPA
President Holly Bracken, the president during Jerczar Asuga's mission to Stelsa
President Peter Van Chesten, the current president

---

Removal or Dismissal

Very few presidents have been removed from their position, leading many to believe that the grounds for dismissal are difficult to find. In truth, most presidents have simply been good enough people that they have never violated the rules and restrictions placed upon their title. There have been presidents whose illegal activities and immoral hobbies caused them to be removed from the position, but the amount is in the minority.
The most famous example of a president removed from office is Winthrop Reuben, who was removed due to tax fraud and other illegal activities.