Political Parties of the New Republic

Two-Party System
The New Republic is governed essentially by a two-party system, the Populists and the Centrists. They are the most powerful and largest political factions in the history of the Galaxy, with the Populists being the oldest. Each party has a designated Chairman/woman who organizes Congressional and Presidential elections for their party.

Populist Party
The Populist Party is the progressive and liberal party of the New Republic. Prominent members are Ducau Zaoku, Serinna Vylantis, Padme Amidala-Skywalker, Mon Mothma, Leia Skywalker, Bail Organa, and Gial Ackbar. The Populists are about the people, and dedicate their work to social justice and equality among all peoples. The Populist Party is currently the longest standing political party in the Galaxy, nearly a thousand years old (founded during the Ruusan Reformation in 1,000 BBY). The Populists, however, were not among the most powerful. During the Old Republic, Populists were uncommon in the Senate, especially during the Clone Wars. Where conservative Benefactor Party officials took many Senate seats and continued to push the Old Republic into war.

Upon Zaoku's rise as Chancellor, he managed to push for many progressive agendas. This casted aside the Benefactors and Centrists, causing a massive surge of support for Populist leaders. Once the New Republic was founded, and Serinna Vylantis was elected President; the Populist Party took the majority of seats in the Senate and also the new Galactic House of Deputies.

The de facto leader of the Populist Party is President Serinna Vylantis, however, its Chairwoman is Leia Skywalker. Leia Skywalker is a Representative of the Jedi Order in the House of Deputies, and serves alongside the President in many events. She is the first Chairwoman of the Populist Party, appointed to the position in 1 ABY by the President herself.

Centrist Party
The Centrist Party is the largest conservative and politically moderate faction in the New Republic. Founded a few centuries before the Clone Wars, the purpose of this party was to hold a moderate view on military action and central power in the Galaxy. The Benefactors were more radial and extreme than the Centrists during their reign in the Senate, such as supporting Palpatine's emergency powers. Centrists in the New Republic have become a bit more radical; claiming that President Vylantis is a pawn of Zaoku, that Leia Skywalker is using the Force to control the Populists, etc. Centrists also believe that a larger military is the solution to protecting the New Republic, along with its corporate interests. They lean towards a more capitalistic society, rather than a social democracy.

The Centrists' leader is Chairman Yuro Pontaco of Corellia, one of Corellia's many Representatives in the House of Deputies. Other prominent Centrist leaders are House of Deputies Minority Leader Tina Sentoni of Anaxes, and also Senator Gorgon of Corulag.