Tardis

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{{rename|The main title should be general and gender-free: maybe [[President of the High Council]], to mirror [[President of the United States]] et al?}}
 
{{rename|The main title should be general and gender-free: maybe [[President of the High Council]], to mirror [[President of the United States]] et al?}}
The '''[[President]] of the [[High Council|Supreme Council]] of [[Gallifrey]] and All Her Dominions, Holder of the Wisdom of [[Rassilon]], Preserver of [[the Matrix]], Guardian of the Legacy of [[Omega]]''', often simply '''Lord President''' or '''Lady President''', governed the [[High Council]] of [[Time Lord]]s, making him or her the holder of the most powerful office on [[Gallifrey]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Inquiry (audio story)|The Inquiry]]'')
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The '''President of the Supreme Council of Gallifrey and All Her Dominions, Holder of the Wisdom of [[Rassilon]], Preserver of [[the Matrix]], Guardian of the Legacy of [[Omega]]''', often simply '''Lord President''' or '''Lady President''', governed the [[High Council]] of [[Time Lord]]s, making them the holder of the most powerful office on [[Gallifrey]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Inquiry (audio story)|The Inquiry]]'')
   
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The powers of the Lord [[President]], as well as ex-Presidents, were outlined in the [[Presidential Charter]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Eight Doctors (novel)|The Eight Doctors]]'')
Alternatively, the [[Seventh Doctor]] once introduced himself as '''[[President-elect]] of the High Council of Time Lords, Keeper of the Legacy of Rassilon, Defender of the [[Laws of Time]], Protector of Gallifrey'''. ([[TV]]: ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'')
 
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== Alternative titles ==
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Whilst most often known as Lord President, ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Weapon of Choice (audio story)|Weapon of Choice]]'', etc.) the office was also known as the "Lord High President of the Supreme Council of Time Lords", ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Mindbomb (audio story)|Mindbomb]]'') shortened to "High President of Gallifrey" ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Appropriation (audio story)|Appropriation]]'') or simply "High President". ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Weapon of Choice (audio story)|Weapon of Choice]]'', ''[[Nevermore (audio story)|Nevermore]]'', ''[[Dark Universe (audio story)|Dark Universe]]'')
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[[Goth|Chancellor Goth]] and [[Borusa|President Borusa]] called the office "President of the Council". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'', ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'')
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The [[Fourth Doctor]] claimed his right as "President of the Council of Time Lords". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'')
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The [[Seventh Doctor]] once introduced himself as "[[President-elect]] of the High Council of Time Lords, Keeper of the Legacy of Rassilon, Defender of the [[Laws of Time]], Protector of Gallifrey". ([[TV]]: ''[[Remembrance of the Daleks (TV story)|Remembrance of the Daleks]]'')
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== Selection ==
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Before the Lord President left their office, they had to name their successor. Failure to do so would cause a constitutional crisis, requiring an [[election]] to take place within forty-eight hours. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'') This was a rare occurrence, happening due to death or [[impeachment]]. If the President had a [[High Chancellor]], they would automatically become President. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Mindbomb (audio story)|Mindbomb]]'') However, this was apparently not always the case. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'') Candidates often belonged to a senior position in Time Lord society, such as Chancellor ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'') or [[Inquisitor Prime]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Mindbomb (audio story)|Mindbomb]]'')
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Per [[Article 17]] of the [[Constitution of the Time Lords]], no [[candidate]] for the office could be "debarred or restrained" from presenting their claim, granting them [[immunity]]. However, this guarantee of [[liberty]] did not extend to [[murderer]]s ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'') or former Presidents who had been [[impeachment|impeached]]. Candidates had the opportunity to debate in public prior to election to garner support. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Mindbomb (audio story)|Mindbomb]]'') Following the results of the election, Article 17 could no longer be invoked. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'')
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The High Council had emergency powers which they could exercise to appoint a President. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'')
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== Investiture ==
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Once a Lord President was appointed, politeness dictated that the acceptance of the [[Lord Cardinal|Cardinal]]s was required, although this was not legally necessary. Until the elected Time Lord was confirmed and inducted as President, their powers were limited.
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The investiture of the President took place in the [[Panopticon]], attended by the High Council, the Cardinals and other Time Lords. The [[Gold Usher]] asked if anybody contested the inductee's right to the [[Sash of Rassilon|Sash]], [[Rod of Rassilon|Rod]] and [[Great Key of Rassilon]] respectively before striking three times. If there was no contest, the Usher gave them the Sash and Rod and told them to search for the Great Key. After promising to uphold the laws of Gallifrey, follow in the wisdom of [[Rassilon]] and swear to protect the law and wisdom, the President was invested and given access to [[the Matrix]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'')
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Upon becoming President, tradition dictated that one should [[pardon]] all [[political prisoner]]s. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'', [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Mindbomb (audio story)|Mindbomb]]'')
   
 
== Prerogatives ==
 
== Prerogatives ==
The ceremonial privileges of the President included access to the [[APC Net]] by means of the [[Crown of Rassilon|Matrix Crown]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time]]'') and the possession of the [[Sash of Rassilon|Sash]] and [[Rod of Rassilon|Rod]] of [[Rassilon]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin]]'') Donning the sash also affected a permanent change to the [[biodata]] of the Time Lord who wore it as President, providing the Doctor and others with access to secret biodata codes that would grant access to some of the Time Lords' greatest and most powerful secrets. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Alien Bodies (novel)|Alien Bodies]]'')
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The ceremonial privileges of the President included access to the [[APC Net]] by means of the [[Crown of Rassilon|Matrix Crown]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'') and the possession of the [[Sash of Rassilon|Sash]] and [[Rod of Rassilon|Rod]] of [[Rassilon]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'') Donning the sash also affected a permanent change to the [[biodata]] of the Time Lord who wore it as President, providing [[the Doctor]] and others with access to secret biodata codes that would grant access to some of the Time Lords' greatest and most powerful secrets. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Alien Bodies (novel)|Alien Bodies]]'')
   
The President also had the formal responsibility, not attempted in reality except by the [[Fourth Doctor]], to seek the [[Great Key of Rassilon]] — a separate artefact from the Rod of Rassilon, which was also sometimes referred to as the Key of Rassilon. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time]]'')
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The President also had the formal responsibility, not attempted in reality except by the [[Fourth Doctor]], to seek the [[Great Key of Rassilon]] — a separate artefact from the Rod of Rassilon, which was also sometimes referred to as the Key of Rassilon. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'')
   
The Lord President could not be put on trial, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mysterious Planet]]'') but he or she could certainly be called to give evidence in a judicial investigation. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Inquiry (audio story)|The Inquiry]]'')
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The Lord President could not be put on [[trial]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Mysterious Planet (TV story)|The Mysterious Planet]]'') but they could certainly be called to give evidence in a judicial investigation. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Inquiry (audio story)|The Inquiry]]'')
   
When Romana II's presidency was impeached and she was nearly deposed, in her present incarnation she wasn't permitted to contest the presidency against Inquisitor [[Darkel]] and Lord Cardinal [[Matthias]], but she said she would go under voluntary [[regeneration]] and contest it in her next incarnation. This didn't happen as she wasn't deposed. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Appropriation (audio story)|Appropriation]]'')
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When [[Romana II]]'s presidency was [[impeachment|impeached]] and she was nearly deposed, in her present incarnation she wasn't permitted to contest the presidency against [[Inquisitor]] [[Darkel]] and Lord Cardinal [[Matthias]], but she said she would go under voluntary [[regeneration]] and contest it in her next incarnation. This didn't happen, as she wasn't deposed. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Appropriation (audio story)|Appropriation]]'')
   
 
== Holders of the office of president ==
 
== Holders of the office of president ==
[[File:Rassilon in Hell Bent.jpg|thumb|Lord President [[Rassilon]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Hell Bent]]'')]]
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[[File:Rassilon in Hell Bent.jpg|thumb|Lord President [[Rassilon]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Hell Bent (TV story)|Hell Bent]]'')]]
 
[[Rassilon]] was the first President and founder of modern [[Time Lord]] society. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'')
 
[[Rassilon]] was the first President and founder of modern [[Time Lord]] society. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'')
   
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[[Pandora]] was the first female President. She was overthrown by her [[High Council]] after claiming the title of [[Imperiatrix]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Lies (audio story)|Lies]]'')
 
[[Pandora]] was the first female President. She was overthrown by her [[High Council]] after claiming the title of [[Imperiatrix]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Lies (audio story)|Lies]]'')
   
According to a nightmare the [[Fifth Doctor]] had under the influence of the [[Celestial Toymaker]], [[Drall]] was President during the [[First Doctor]]'s time at [[Time Lord Academy|the Academy]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Divided Loyalties (novel)|Divided Loyalties]]'')
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According to a [[nightmare]] the [[Fifth Doctor]] had under the influence of the [[Celestial Toymaker]], [[Drall]] was President during the [[First Doctor]]'s time at [[Time Lord Academy|the Academy]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Divided Loyalties (novel)|Divided Loyalties]]'')
   
A [[President (Birth of a Renegade)|male President]] changed the [[Constitution]] of the Time Lords to enable the President to name his own successor. That President's grandson, [[Pundat the Third]], himself became a corrupt President, and was succeeded by [[Slann]], who was President at the time of the Doctor's departure from Gallifrey, and was assassinated by [[the Master]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Birth of a Renegade (short story)|Birth of a Renegade]]'')
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A [[President (Birth of a Renegade)|male President]] changed the [[Constitution of the Time Lords|Constitution]] of the Time Lords to enable the President to name his own successor. That President's [[grandson]], [[Pundat the Third]], himself became a corrupt President, and was succeeded by [[Slann]], who was President at the time of the Doctor's departure from Gallifrey, and was assassinated by [[the Master]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Birth of a Renegade (short story)|Birth of a Renegade]]'')
   
According to another source, President [[Pandad VII]] ordered [[Irving Braxiatel]], then [[Lord Burner]], to burn "[[First Doctor|an old man]]" and "[[Susan Foreman|his granddaughter]]" from history. Braxiatel disobeyed this order, and the intended victims stole a [[The Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] and fled [[Gallifrey]]. The very same day, President Pandad died when a power relay in his office overloaded; an inquiry headed by Braxiatel found that this was an accident. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Disassembled (audio story)|Disassembled]]'')
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According to another source, President [[Pandad VII]] ordered [[Irving Braxiatel]], then [[Lord Burner]], to burn "[[First Doctor|an old man]]" and "[[Susan Foreman|his granddaughter]]" from history. Braxiatel disobeyed this order, and the intended victims stole [[The Doctor's TARDIS|a TARDIS]] and fled [[Gallifrey]]. The very same day, President Pandad died when a power relay in his office overloaded; an inquiry headed by Braxiatel found that this was an accident. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Disassembled (audio story)|Disassembled]]'')
   
 
[[Morbius]] was a president who led a war of conquest. He was overthrown by the [[High Council]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Brain of Morbius (TV story)|The Brain of Morbius]]'') [[Saran]] was Morbius' [[Vice President]] and became President after his expulsion from [[Gallifrey]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Warmonger (novel)|Warmonger]]'')
 
[[Morbius]] was a president who led a war of conquest. He was overthrown by the [[High Council]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Brain of Morbius (TV story)|The Brain of Morbius]]'') [[Saran]] was Morbius' [[Vice President]] and became President after his expulsion from [[Gallifrey]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Warmonger (novel)|Warmonger]]'')
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When the [[Fourth Doctor]] returned to [[Gallifrey]], finding the planet without a President and led by Lord Chancellor [[Borusa]], he claimed his right to the Presidency from the old election, and he briefly became the 407th President ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Ancestor Cell (novel)|The Ancestor Cell]]'') before surrendering the title and leaving again. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'') The [[Fifth Doctor]] later discovered that this short term had been officially stricken from the record, ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Time in Office (audio story)|Time in Office]]'') though it was known to students on Gallifrey shortly before the outbreak of the [[War in Heaven]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Ancestor Cell (novel)|The Ancestor Cell]]'')
 
When the [[Fourth Doctor]] returned to [[Gallifrey]], finding the planet without a President and led by Lord Chancellor [[Borusa]], he claimed his right to the Presidency from the old election, and he briefly became the 407th President ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[The Ancestor Cell (novel)|The Ancestor Cell]]'') before surrendering the title and leaving again. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'') The [[Fifth Doctor]] later discovered that this short term had been officially stricken from the record, ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Time in Office (audio story)|Time in Office]]'') though it was known to students on Gallifrey shortly before the outbreak of the [[War in Heaven]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Ancestor Cell (novel)|The Ancestor Cell]]'')
   
[[Borusa]] served as President after the Doctor resigned from his role, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time]]'', ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'') but he eventually fell from grace when the stress of his new position drove him insane, causing him to seek the secret of [[immortality]] from Rassilon. This ended when Rassilon turned Borusa into living stone. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'')
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[[Borusa]] served as President after the Doctor resigned from his role, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion of Time (TV story)|The Invasion of Time]]'', ''[[Arc of Infinity (TV story)|Arc of Infinity]]'') but he eventually fell from grace when the stress of his new position drove him insane, causing him to seek the secret of [[immortality]] from Rassilon. This ended when Rassilon turned Borusa into living stone. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'')
   
 
After Borusa's apparent disappearance, the [[High Council]] appointed the [[Fifth Doctor]] to be his successor, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'') and though he tried to evade his role as President, he was eventually forced to take on the responsibilities, and he enacted several political reforms before appointing [[Lowri]] as his acting successor and leaving again to travel. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Time in Office (audio story)|Time in Office]]'')
 
After Borusa's apparent disappearance, the [[High Council]] appointed the [[Fifth Doctor]] to be his successor, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'') and though he tried to evade his role as President, he was eventually forced to take on the responsibilities, and he enacted several political reforms before appointing [[Lowri]] as his acting successor and leaving again to travel. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Time in Office (audio story)|Time in Office]]'')
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Flavia was appointed as acting President by the Fifth Doctor when he chose to depart Gallifrey, before she was overthrown in favour of [[Niroc]], a puppet of the [[Celestial Intervention Agency]] who oversaw [[Operation Ravolox]] and the [[Sixth Doctor]]'s trial. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Eight Doctors (novel)|The Eight Doctors]]'') Flavia was again President for a period, then was challenged and beaten for presidency by [[Romana II]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Eight Doctors (novel)|The Eight Doctors]]'', ''[[Happy Endings (novel)|Happy Endings]]'')
 
Flavia was appointed as acting President by the Fifth Doctor when he chose to depart Gallifrey, before she was overthrown in favour of [[Niroc]], a puppet of the [[Celestial Intervention Agency]] who oversaw [[Operation Ravolox]] and the [[Sixth Doctor]]'s trial. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Eight Doctors (novel)|The Eight Doctors]]'') Flavia was again President for a period, then was challenged and beaten for presidency by [[Romana II]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Eight Doctors (novel)|The Eight Doctors]]'', ''[[Happy Endings (novel)|Happy Endings]]'')
   
[[Lord President (The Sirens of Time)|A male President]] served as interim president during Romana II's imprisonment by the [[Dalek]]s, ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Apocalypse Element]]'') and was involved in the affair of the [[Sirens of Time]] before it was erased from history. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Sirens of Time (audio story)|The Sirens of Time]]'') [[Lord President (The Great War)|Another male President]] ruled for a time, sending [[Straxus]] on a mission to [[World War I]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[X and the Daleks (audio story)|X and the Daleks]]'')
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[[Lord President (The Sirens of Time)|A male President]] served as interim president during Romana II's imprisonment by the [[Dalek]]s, ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Apocalypse Element (audio story)|The Apocalypse Element]]'') and was involved in the affair of the [[Sirens of Time]] before it was erased from history. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Sirens of Time (audio story)|The Sirens of Time]]'') [[Lord President (The Great War)|Another male President]] ruled for a time, sending [[Straxus]] on a mission to [[World War I]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[X and the Daleks (audio story)|X and the Daleks]]'')
   
Romana II and [[Pandora]] (inhabiting the body of [[Romana I|Romana's first incarnation]]) both claimed the title of [[Imperiatrix]] when [[Darkel]] invoked a "right of challenge" for the Presidency. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Imperiatrix (audio story)|Imperiatrix]]'') After Pandora's defeat, [[Valyes]] became acting President while Romana was incapacitated; upon his resignation, Darkel, [[Matthias]], and Romana each claimed the Presidency. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Appropriation (audio story)|Appropriation]]'') Despite this, the title went to [[Irving Braxiatel]], who extremely quickly named [[Matthias]] his successor and resigned. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Mindbomb (audio story)|Mindbomb]]'') Matthias saw Gallifrey almost destroyed by the [[Free Time]] [[Dogma Virus]], ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Mindbomb]]'', ''[[Panacea (audio story)|Panacea]]'') and after his efforts forced him to resign, Romana II returned to office. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Ascension (audio story)|Ascension]]'')
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Romana II and [[Pandora]] (inhabiting the body of [[Romana I|Romana's first incarnation]]) both claimed the title of [[Imperiatrix]] when [[Darkel]] invoked a "right of challenge" for the Presidency. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Imperiatrix (audio story)|Imperiatrix]]'') After Pandora's defeat, [[Valyes]] became acting President while Romana was incapacitated; upon his resignation, Darkel, [[Matthias]], and Romana each claimed the Presidency. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Appropriation (audio story)|Appropriation]]'') Despite this, the title went to [[Irving Braxiatel]], who extremely quickly named [[Matthias]] his successor and resigned. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Mindbomb (audio story)|Mindbomb]]'') Matthias saw Gallifrey almost destroyed by the [[Free Time]] [[Dogma Virus]], ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Mindbomb (audio story)|Mindbomb]]'', ''[[Panacea (audio story)|Panacea]]'') and after his efforts forced him to resign, Romana II returned to office. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Ascension (audio story)|Ascension]]'')
   
Romana II regenerated while trying to stabilise the engines of the ''[[Moros]]'', ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Enemy Lines (audio story)|Enemy Lines]]'') and [[Romana III]] was President during the rise of the [[Adherents of Ohm]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Intervention Earth (audio story)|Intervention Earth]]'') In preparation for the subsequent [[War in Heaven|war]], ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Enemy Lines (audio story)|Enemy Lines]]'') she declared herself [[War Queen]] and constructed [[Nine Gallifreys|nine decoy Gallifrey]]s to distract [[the enemy]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Shadows of Avalon (novel)|The Shadows of Avalon]]'')
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Romana II regenerated while trying to stabilise the engines of the ''[[Moros]]'', ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Enemy Lines (audio story)|Enemy Lines]]'') and [[Romana III]] was President during the rise of the [[Adherents of Ohm]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Intervention Earth (audio story)|Intervention Earth]]'') In preparation for the subsequent [[War in Heaven|war]], ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Enemy Lines (audio story)|Enemy Lines]]'') she declared herself [[War Queen]] and constructed [[Nine Gallifreys|nine decoy Gallifreys]] to distract [[the enemy]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Shadows of Avalon (novel)|The Shadows of Avalon]]'')
   
 
During an invasion of Romana's Gallifrey by a far-future sect of [[Faction Paradox]], [[Greyjan the Sane]] was resurrected to challenge her rule, and the [[Eighth Doctor]] destroyed the planet. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Ancestor Cell (novel)|The Ancestor Cell]]'') Many other decoy Gallifreys were destroyed during the [[War in Heaven]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Alien Bodies (novel)|Alien Bodies]]'', ''[[The Taking of Planet 5 (novel)|The Taking of Planet 5]]'', ''[[The Brakespeare Voyage (novel)|The Brakespeare Voyage]]'')
 
During an invasion of Romana's Gallifrey by a far-future sect of [[Faction Paradox]], [[Greyjan the Sane]] was resurrected to challenge her rule, and the [[Eighth Doctor]] destroyed the planet. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Ancestor Cell (novel)|The Ancestor Cell]]'') Many other decoy Gallifreys were destroyed during the [[War in Heaven]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Alien Bodies (novel)|Alien Bodies]]'', ''[[The Taking of Planet 5 (novel)|The Taking of Planet 5]]'', ''[[The Brakespeare Voyage (novel)|The Brakespeare Voyage]]'')
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As the [[Doom Coalition]] began to put their plans into actions in destroying the future, [[Padrac]] became President for a short while, before the Coaltion's plans were stopped by the [[Eighth Doctor]], [[Liv Chenka]] and [[Helen Sinclair]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Songs of Love (audio story)|Songs of Love]]'', ''[[Stop the Clock (audio story)|Stop the Clock]]'')
 
As the [[Doom Coalition]] began to put their plans into actions in destroying the future, [[Padrac]] became President for a short while, before the Coaltion's plans were stopped by the [[Eighth Doctor]], [[Liv Chenka]] and [[Helen Sinclair]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Songs of Love (audio story)|Songs of Love]]'', ''[[Stop the Clock (audio story)|Stop the Clock]]'')
   
Before her death, Romana III sent [[Irving Braxiatel]] into her past to undo her regeneration on the ''[[Moros]]''. After he rescued Romana II, he persuaded her to prevent the war by stepping down from the Presidency and appointing her political opponent [[Livia]] as her successor. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Enemy Lines (audio story)|Enemy Lines]]'') However, this did not stop war from coming: at the start of the [[Last Great Time War]], Livia stepped down and orchestrated [[Valerian (Desperate Measures)|Valerian]]'s rise to power, despite Romana II's candidacy in the election. When a video of Romana making a deal with the [[Dalek Emperor]] was uncovered, Valerian was elected Lord President, and in fulfillment of Livia's plans, [[Rassilon]] was resurrected into his body. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Desperate Measures (audio story)|Desperate Measures]]'')
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Before her death, Romana III sent [[Irving Braxiatel]] into her past to undo her regeneration on the ''[[Moros]]''. After he rescued Romana II, he persuaded her to prevent the war by stepping down from the Presidency and appointing her political opponent [[Livia]] as her successor. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Enemy Lines (audio story)|Enemy Lines]]'') However, this did not stop war from coming: at the start of the [[Last Great Time War]], Livia stepped down and orchestrated [[Valerian (Celestial Intervention)|Valerian]]'s rise to power, despite Romana II's candidacy in the election. When a video of Romana making a deal with the [[Dalek Emperor]] was uncovered, Valerian was elected Lord President, and in fulfillment of Livia's plans, [[Rassilon]] was resurrected into his body. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Desperate Measures (audio story)|Desperate Measures]]'')
   
 
Rassilon was still President through the end of the Time War, ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Engines of War (novel)|Engines of War]]'') and he led Gallifrey's return to the [[end of the universe]], but, upon the [[Twelfth Doctor]]'s arrival on the planet, he was [[Coup against Rassilon|overthrown and banished]], along with the rest of the [[High Council]], due to his role in [[Clara Oswald]]'s death.
 
Rassilon was still President through the end of the Time War, ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of Time (TV story)|The End of Time]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Engines of War (novel)|Engines of War]]'') and he led Gallifrey's return to the [[end of the universe]], but, upon the [[Twelfth Doctor]]'s arrival on the planet, he was [[Coup against Rassilon|overthrown and banished]], along with the rest of the [[High Council]], due to his role in [[Clara Oswald]]'s death.
   
Following this coup, the Twelfth Doctor became Lord President of Gallifrey himself. However, this coup was a ruse in order to gain access to a Time Lord [[extraction chamber]] to save Clara's life, and he quickly fled Gallifrey in [[TARDIS (Hell Bent)|a stolen TARDIS]], abandoning the title yet again. ([[TV]]: ''[[Hell Bent (TV story)|Hell Bent]]'') A [[Lord President (Supremacy of the Cybermen)|female President]] succeeded the Doctor, inheriting [[Rassilon's gauntlet]], but her reign was cut short when Gallifrey was invaded by [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cybermen]] led by Rassilon, who killed her with a [[staser]] before reclaiming his gauntlet and title of Lord President. Due to the Doctor and Rassilon reversing these events, this President was restored to life. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Supremacy of the Cybermen (comic story)|Supremacy of the Cybermen]]'')
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Following this coup, the Twelfth Doctor became Lord President of Gallifrey himself. However, this coup was a ruse in order to gain access to a Time Lord [[extraction chamber]] to save Clara's life, and he quickly fled Gallifrey in [[TARDIS (Hell Bent)|a stolen TARDIS]], abandoning the title yet again. ([[TV]]: ''[[Hell Bent (TV story)|Hell Bent]]'') A [[Lady President (Supremacy of the Cybermen)|female President]] succeeded the Doctor, inheriting [[Rassilon's gauntlet]], but her reign was cut short when Gallifrey was invaded by [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Cybermen]] led by Rassilon, who killed her with a [[staser]] before reclaiming his gauntlet and title of Lord President. Due to the Doctor and Rassilon reversing these events, this President was restored to life. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[Supremacy of the Cybermen (comic story)|Supremacy of the Cybermen]]'')
   
 
=== Alternate timelines ===
 
=== Alternate timelines ===
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[[pt:Presidente de Gallifrey]]
 
[[pt:Presidente de Gallifrey]]
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[[ru:Лорд-Президент]]
 
[[Category:Time Lord titles and offices]]
 
[[Category:Time Lord titles and offices]]
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[[Category:High Council]]

Revision as of 18:27, 9 February 2020

This topic might have a better name.

The main title should be general and gender-free: maybe President of the High Council, to mirror President of the United States et al?

Talk about it here.

The President of the Supreme Council of Gallifrey and All Her Dominions, Holder of the Wisdom of Rassilon, Preserver of the Matrix, Guardian of the Legacy of Omega, often simply Lord President or Lady President, governed the High Council of Time Lords, making them the holder of the most powerful office on Gallifrey. (AUDIO: The Inquiry)

The powers of the Lord President, as well as ex-Presidents, were outlined in the Presidential Charter. (PROSE: The Eight Doctors)

Alternative titles

Whilst most often known as Lord President, (AUDIO: Weapon of Choice, etc.) the office was also known as the "Lord High President of the Supreme Council of Time Lords", (AUDIO: Mindbomb) shortened to "High President of Gallifrey" (AUDIO: Appropriation) or simply "High President". (AUDIO: Weapon of Choice, Nevermore, Dark Universe)

Chancellor Goth and President Borusa called the office "President of the Council". (TV: The Deadly Assassin, The Five Doctors)

The Fourth Doctor claimed his right as "President of the Council of Time Lords". (TV: The Invasion of Time)

The Seventh Doctor once introduced himself as "President-elect of the High Council of Time Lords, Keeper of the Legacy of Rassilon, Defender of the Laws of Time, Protector of Gallifrey". (TV: Remembrance of the Daleks)

Selection

Before the Lord President left their office, they had to name their successor. Failure to do so would cause a constitutional crisis, requiring an election to take place within forty-eight hours. (TV: The Deadly Assassin) This was a rare occurrence, happening due to death or impeachment. If the President had a High Chancellor, they would automatically become President. (AUDIO: Mindbomb) However, this was apparently not always the case. (TV: The Deadly Assassin) Candidates often belonged to a senior position in Time Lord society, such as Chancellor (TV: The Deadly Assassin) or Inquisitor Prime. (AUDIO: Mindbomb)

Per Article 17 of the Constitution of the Time Lords, no candidate for the office could be "debarred or restrained" from presenting their claim, granting them immunity. However, this guarantee of liberty did not extend to murderers (TV: The Deadly Assassin) or former Presidents who had been impeached. Candidates had the opportunity to debate in public prior to election to garner support. (AUDIO: Mindbomb) Following the results of the election, Article 17 could no longer be invoked. (TV: The Deadly Assassin)

The High Council had emergency powers which they could exercise to appoint a President. (TV: The Five Doctors)

Investiture

Once a Lord President was appointed, politeness dictated that the acceptance of the Cardinals was required, although this was not legally necessary. Until the elected Time Lord was confirmed and inducted as President, their powers were limited.

The investiture of the President took place in the Panopticon, attended by the High Council, the Cardinals and other Time Lords. The Gold Usher asked if anybody contested the inductee's right to the Sash, Rod and Great Key of Rassilon respectively before striking three times. If there was no contest, the Usher gave them the Sash and Rod and told them to search for the Great Key. After promising to uphold the laws of Gallifrey, follow in the wisdom of Rassilon and swear to protect the law and wisdom, the President was invested and given access to the Matrix. (TV: The Invasion of Time)

Upon becoming President, tradition dictated that one should pardon all political prisoners. (TV: The Deadly Assassin, AUDIO: Mindbomb)

Prerogatives

The ceremonial privileges of the President included access to the APC Net by means of the Matrix Crown (TV: The Invasion of Time) and the possession of the Sash and Rod of Rassilon. (TV: The Deadly Assassin) Donning the sash also affected a permanent change to the biodata of the Time Lord who wore it as President, providing the Doctor and others with access to secret biodata codes that would grant access to some of the Time Lords' greatest and most powerful secrets. (PROSE: Alien Bodies)

The President also had the formal responsibility, not attempted in reality except by the Fourth Doctor, to seek the Great Key of Rassilon — a separate artefact from the Rod of Rassilon, which was also sometimes referred to as the Key of Rassilon. (TV: The Invasion of Time)

The Lord President could not be put on trial, (TV: The Mysterious Planet) but they could certainly be called to give evidence in a judicial investigation. (AUDIO: The Inquiry)

When Romana II's presidency was impeached and she was nearly deposed, in her present incarnation she wasn't permitted to contest the presidency against Inquisitor Darkel and Lord Cardinal Matthias, but she said she would go under voluntary regeneration and contest it in her next incarnation. This didn't happen, as she wasn't deposed. (AUDIO: Appropriation)

Holders of the office of president

Rassilon in Hell Bent

Lord President Rassilon. (TV: Hell Bent)

Rassilon was the first President and founder of modern Time Lord society. (TV: The Five Doctors)

Pandak was one of the early Time Lord Presidents and one of the founders of Time Lord society. (PROSE: Lungbarrow, The Ancestor Cell) Several later Presidents were named after him, (PROSE: Lungbarrow) including Pandak III, who at one point ruled for over 900 years. (TV: The Deadly Assassin)

Pandora was the first female President. She was overthrown by her High Council after claiming the title of Imperiatrix. (AUDIO: Lies)

According to a nightmare the Fifth Doctor had under the influence of the Celestial Toymaker, Drall was President during the First Doctor's time at the Academy. (PROSE: Divided Loyalties)

A male President changed the Constitution of the Time Lords to enable the President to name his own successor. That President's grandson, Pundat the Third, himself became a corrupt President, and was succeeded by Slann, who was President at the time of the Doctor's departure from Gallifrey, and was assassinated by the Master. (PROSE: Birth of a Renegade)

According to another source, President Pandad VII ordered Irving Braxiatel, then Lord Burner, to burn "an old man" and "his granddaughter" from history. Braxiatel disobeyed this order, and the intended victims stole a TARDIS and fled Gallifrey. The very same day, President Pandad died when a power relay in his office overloaded; an inquiry headed by Braxiatel found that this was an accident. (AUDIO: Disassembled)

Morbius was a president who led a war of conquest. He was overthrown by the High Council. (TV: The Brain of Morbius) Saran was Morbius' Vice President and became President after his expulsion from Gallifrey. (PROSE: Warmonger)

A male President ruled when Omega tried to return by draining power from Gallifrey. (TV: The Three Doctors) Perhaps the same popular-yet-unnamed male President resigned from the position after a term of office that was short in comparison with the 900-year precedent set by Pandak III. However, before he could name his successor, he was assassinated by Chancellor Goth, who was plotting with the Master to frame the Fourth Doctor and take power uncontested. The Doctor ran against Goth in the election to buy himself time to investigate the death; he succeeded in unraveling the scheme, but in the process, the Master killed Goth, leaving the Doctor as the next President. Because the Doctor didn't want this responsibility, he left in his TARDIS. (TV: The Deadly Assassin)

Despite his total lack of intent to seriously become President, Greyjan the Sane was left in charge after the two other candidates unexpectedly withdrew from the race. His Presidency lasted for only three years before he killed himself. During those three years, Faction Paradox purchased the eleven days between the 2nd and 14th September 1752. (PROSE: The Ancestor Cell)

When the Fourth Doctor returned to Gallifrey, finding the planet without a President and led by Lord Chancellor Borusa, he claimed his right to the Presidency from the old election, and he briefly became the 407th President (TV: The Invasion of Time, PROSE: The Ancestor Cell) before surrendering the title and leaving again. (TV: The Invasion of Time) The Fifth Doctor later discovered that this short term had been officially stricken from the record, (AUDIO: Time in Office) though it was known to students on Gallifrey shortly before the outbreak of the War in Heaven. (PROSE: The Ancestor Cell)

Borusa served as President after the Doctor resigned from his role, (TV: The Invasion of Time, Arc of Infinity) but he eventually fell from grace when the stress of his new position drove him insane, causing him to seek the secret of immortality from Rassilon. This ended when Rassilon turned Borusa into living stone. (TV: The Five Doctors)

After Borusa's apparent disappearance, the High Council appointed the Fifth Doctor to be his successor, (TV: The Five Doctors) and though he tried to evade his role as President, he was eventually forced to take on the responsibilities, and he enacted several political reforms before appointing Lowri as his acting successor and leaving again to travel. (AUDIO: Time in Office)

Flavia was appointed as acting President by the Fifth Doctor when he chose to depart Gallifrey, before she was overthrown in favour of Niroc, a puppet of the Celestial Intervention Agency who oversaw Operation Ravolox and the Sixth Doctor's trial. (PROSE: The Eight Doctors) Flavia was again President for a period, then was challenged and beaten for presidency by Romana II. (PROSE: The Eight Doctors, Happy Endings)

A male President served as interim president during Romana II's imprisonment by the Daleks, (AUDIO: The Apocalypse Element) and was involved in the affair of the Sirens of Time before it was erased from history. (AUDIO: The Sirens of Time) Another male President ruled for a time, sending Straxus on a mission to World War I. (AUDIO: X and the Daleks)

Romana II and Pandora (inhabiting the body of Romana's first incarnation) both claimed the title of Imperiatrix when Darkel invoked a "right of challenge" for the Presidency. (AUDIO: Imperiatrix) After Pandora's defeat, Valyes became acting President while Romana was incapacitated; upon his resignation, Darkel, Matthias, and Romana each claimed the Presidency. (AUDIO: Appropriation) Despite this, the title went to Irving Braxiatel, who extremely quickly named Matthias his successor and resigned. (AUDIO: Mindbomb) Matthias saw Gallifrey almost destroyed by the Free Time Dogma Virus, (AUDIO: Mindbomb, Panacea) and after his efforts forced him to resign, Romana II returned to office. (AUDIO: Ascension)

Romana II regenerated while trying to stabilise the engines of the Moros, (AUDIO: Enemy Lines) and Romana III was President during the rise of the Adherents of Ohm. (AUDIO: Intervention Earth) In preparation for the subsequent war, (AUDIO: Enemy Lines) she declared herself War Queen and constructed nine decoy Gallifreys to distract the enemy. (PROSE: The Shadows of Avalon)

During an invasion of Romana's Gallifrey by a far-future sect of Faction Paradox, Greyjan the Sane was resurrected to challenge her rule, and the Eighth Doctor destroyed the planet. (PROSE: The Ancestor Cell) Many other decoy Gallifreys were destroyed during the War in Heaven. (PROSE: Alien Bodies, The Taking of Planet 5, The Brakespeare Voyage)

On another Gallifrey, perhaps the original, (PROSE: The Taking of Planet 5) an obstructionist President took charge. This President was killed while trying to prove the nonexistence of the enemy, leaving the useless Umbaste in charge. (PROSE: The Book of the War) At one point, this Lord President was briefly incapacitated and appointed Voran to be Acting President in his stead. (PROSE: The Infinity Doctors) Finally, Umbaste committed apparent suicide and was replaced by the reformed renegade who first warned the Great Houses about the enemy. This renegade declared himself the War King and led the Homeworld through the first fifty years of the War in Heaven. (PROSE: The Book of the War)

Sometime after the War's fiftieth year, (PROSE: The Book of the War) the War King started losing his power over the War Council, and ultimately he was deposed when the 101-form timeship Lolita gained popular support and killed him by absorbing him into her interior dimensions. (AUDIO: Body Politic) However, Lolita's rule ended shortly afterwards, when Horus led an army of Osirians to invade the Capitol and kill her. (AUDIO: The Judgment of Sutekh)

As the Doom Coalition began to put their plans into actions in destroying the future, Padrac became President for a short while, before the Coaltion's plans were stopped by the Eighth Doctor, Liv Chenka and Helen Sinclair. (AUDIO: Songs of Love, Stop the Clock)

Before her death, Romana III sent Irving Braxiatel into her past to undo her regeneration on the Moros. After he rescued Romana II, he persuaded her to prevent the war by stepping down from the Presidency and appointing her political opponent Livia as her successor. (AUDIO: Enemy Lines) However, this did not stop war from coming: at the start of the Last Great Time War, Livia stepped down and orchestrated Valerian's rise to power, despite Romana II's candidacy in the election. When a video of Romana making a deal with the Dalek Emperor was uncovered, Valerian was elected Lord President, and in fulfillment of Livia's plans, Rassilon was resurrected into his body. (AUDIO: Desperate Measures)

Rassilon was still President through the end of the Time War, (TV: The End of Time, PROSE: Engines of War) and he led Gallifrey's return to the end of the universe, but, upon the Twelfth Doctor's arrival on the planet, he was overthrown and banished, along with the rest of the High Council, due to his role in Clara Oswald's death.

Following this coup, the Twelfth Doctor became Lord President of Gallifrey himself. However, this coup was a ruse in order to gain access to a Time Lord extraction chamber to save Clara's life, and he quickly fled Gallifrey in a stolen TARDIS, abandoning the title yet again. (TV: Hell Bent) A female President succeeded the Doctor, inheriting Rassilon's gauntlet, but her reign was cut short when Gallifrey was invaded by Cybermen led by Rassilon, who killed her with a staser before reclaiming his gauntlet and title of Lord President. Due to the Doctor and Rassilon reversing these events, this President was restored to life. (COMIC: Supremacy of the Cybermen)

Alternate timelines

In an alternate timeline, the Sixth Doctor was Lord President Admiral of Gallifrey in the War in Heaven against the Enemy, who were being aided and abetted by the Master. (PROSE: The Quantum Archangel)

In a timeline in which it was standard policy for the Time Lords to sell their temporal technology to the highest bidder and regenerations could be extracted and sold, Leela and K9 Mark I accompanied the Fourth Doctor on his search for the Key to Time. She was the only human to hold the Key to Time in her hands. Consequently, when Leela's counterpart from the proper timeline visited this alternative Gallifrey, she was appointed Lady President. (AUDIO: Reborn)

In a timeline in which the Time Lords regularly altered history through the Temporal Intervention Agency, Romana II became Lady President as in the proper timeline but was considerably more ruthless than her counterpart. Her Interrogator General was Leela, who murdered her predecessor Narvin to achieve the position, while the Doctor, by then in his sixth incarnation, served as Lord Burner, the President's personal temporal assassin who "burned" people from history. Vansell served as Castellan. (AUDIO: Disassembled)

In a timeline in which Rassilon failed to finish the Eye of Harmony before his death, Romana II reigned as Lady President over a Gallifrey which never achieved time travel and where slavery still existed. She was assassinated on the orders of Lord Chancellor Narvin but was immediately replaced by her counterpart from the proper timeline, who claimed that the victim of the assassination was a decoy. After the alternative Narvin was killed by the Krilig, the Narvin from the proper timeline assumed his identity. (AUDIO: Forever)

In an alternate timeline in which the Daleks were peace-loving academics and friends of the Time Lords, a Lord President was cured by Dalek surgeons who removed a microaneurysm from his brainstem. (PROSE: The Ripple Effect)

In an alternate timeline in which the Doctor never left Gallifrey, Susan Foreman ran for the presidency. (AUDIO: Auld Mortality) She won the election after the Doctor left Gallifrey. (AUDIO: A Storm of Angels)