Imperial Republic

The term Imperial Republic refers to the period of the Third Imperium from Year 475, when Cleon IV was elected by the Imperial Moot, to Year 622, when Arbellatra was elected temporary regent of the Imperium until she was elected permanent Empress in 629, in both cases by the same Moot. Most of the Emperors (except for certain Barracks Emperors and several of the Emperors of the Flag of the Civil War era, including Olav, Constantus, George, Donald, and Edmiri) were elected by the Imperial Moot instead of by hereditary right during this period. Even during the Civil War period from 604 to 622, several of the Emperors of the Flag with military backing went through the formality of Moot election in order to legitimize their rule. The term "Imperial Republic" first arose when Jerome and Jaqueline I were both elected by Moot majorities rather than inherit the Imperial throne. It was assumed that both the Zhunastu Dynasty and the Lentuli Dynasty were extinct by the second half of the 6th Century of the Imperial era.

Imperial Republic Reform Debate

Indeed, by the 7th Century of the Imperial era, several leading political scientists and theorists suggested that the Imperium's hereditary monarchy be abolished in favor of an Elected Monarch or Executive Council elected by the Moot either for life or a prolonged tenure of office (i.e. 10 to 30 years).

Opponents of the Imperial Republic concept continued to push for interstellar rule by a hereditary monarch on the Iridium Throne, largely organized into the Imperial Monarchist Movement.

Post-Imperial Republic Era

As recently as the reign of Paulo III, there was talk of amending the Warrant of Restoration to transform the Third Imperium into a type of Imperial Republic as described above, but the continuing popularity of the Alkhalikoi family dynasty largely quashed such talk by the reign of Strephon.