Chancellor Finis Valorum

Finis Valorum
Homeworld	Coruscant
Species	Human
Gender	Male
Height	1.7 meters
Hair Color	White
Eye Color	Blue
Affiliation	Galactic Republic

Finis Valorum (90 BBY - 21 BBY) of the Galactic Republic was the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic before Queen Padmé Amidala introduced a Vote of No Confidence into the Galactic Senate which then passed it. He was subsequently replaced by his colleague, Senator Palpatine of Naboo.

Biography

Valorum came from an ancient and distinguished family (among them Tarsus Valorum, Tullius Valorum, and Laeca Valorum) and at least one of his ancestors had served as Chancellor in the past. This background, ironically, worked against him, as many came to believe he had been elected solely because of his famous surname. Before his election as Chancellor, Valorum was Senator of the Lytton Sector.

Valorum was the one who instituted the vogue amongst the Coruscanti elite of going to operas; it was joked amongst his political enemies that he enjoyed them because they were only places where he could get any applause.

After his resignation, Valorum spent his retirement working with the Refugee Relief Movement on worlds such as Alderaan. He also wrote an autobiography, Holding Back the Tide, released in 22 BBY. It was widely panned.

Valorum was killed, shortly after the Battle of Jabiim, in a terrorist attack that was attributed to Separatists, but was really orcestrated by Darth Sidious in an attempt to get rid of Valorum because Valorum had been talking to Senator Bail Organa about Palpatine's political manueverings. Thus, Valorum could be the de facto founder of the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

Valorum was also known for his connections with various woman. He had "close ties" with Jedi Master Adi Gallia; was rumored to be having an affair with his Senior Administrative Assistant, Sei Taria, during his chancellorship; and after his retirement from politics, was sighted in the companionship of a "doe-eyed blonde number."

The Finis Valorum Memorial was constructed on Coruscant to honor the last being who served as Chancellor before Palpatine's rise to power.

Behind the scenes

• Valorum was played by actor Terence Stamp who has stated that the character was inspired by then president Bill Clinton. Stamp recalls that George Lucas described Valorum as a good but beleaguered man; Valorum's 'connections' with the above-stated women are probably references to Clinton.
• Valorum's appropriate first name, Finis (which means "the end,") was also given to him by the Expanded Universe.