Federation Council (Star Trek)
Encyclopedia
The Federation Council is an organization in the fictional Star Trek
universe. It is the legislature
of the United Federation of Planets
and will be located in what is now the Presidio of San Francisco
, United States
(or Paris
, France
in the non-canonical novels) on Earth
. Seats on the Council are filled by elected representatives from the various Federation Member Planets.
)
In the late 23rd century, the Federation Council was depicted as primarily based in a complex at the Presidio overlooking San Francisco Bay
and the Golden Gate Bridge
. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
)
As of the mid-2370s, the Council continued to utilize the same facility. This can be derived from Species 8472
's encounters with the USS Voyager
in the Delta Quadrant. Species 8472 reproduced part of San Francisco using holographic technology in an attempt to infiltrate the Federation with spies. One of the major installations included in the simulation was the Federation Council. (VOY: "In the Flesh"
)
was the only person to have refused a seat on the Council as of 2266. (TOS: "Amok Time")
The election
of Federation Council members was one of the tasks that Bajor would have to complete if it joined the Federation. (DS9: "Rapture"
)
Jonathan Archer
served on the Federation Council, representing Earth, from 2175 to 2183 before being elected Federation President in 2184. (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II"
)
Jaresh-Inyo represented his world, Grazer, on the Federation Council before he was elected Federation President.
's violation of orders, and his theft and destruction of the USS Enterprise
. The Council dismissed all but one charge and demoted Kirk to the rank of Captain. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
)
In 2366, the Council was called into emergency session when a Romulan
defector provided information on a possible Romulan invasion fleet arming near Nelvana III. They decided that the Enterprise should assume anything Admiral Alidar Jarok says is a lie. (TNG: "The Defector"
)
In 2370, the Council imposed a warp 5 speed limit on all Federation vessels, except in dire circumstances. This law was removed when improvements in warp drive
were achieved. (TNG: "Force of Nature"
)
Later that year, the Council ratified the Federation-Cardassian
peace treaty, an agreement that annexed several Federation colonies to the Cardassian Union. This decision would lead to the formation of the violent Maquis
resistance movement (TNG: "Journey's End"
, TNG: "Preemptive Strike"
, DS9: "The Maquis"
).
In 2372, the Federation Council condemned the Klingon
invasion of the Cardassian Union and agreed to provide twelve industrial replicators
to help rebuild the devastated Cardassian
industrial base. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior"
, "For the Cause"
)
Later that year, Gowron
sent a message to the Council, telling them that the Empire would not give up their captured Cardassian planets. He also told them to withdraw Federation forces from the Archanis sector and Archanis IV. (DS9: "Broken Link"
)
In 2375, Starfleet Admiral Matthew Dougherty claimed that the Federation Council had been responsible for the decision to forcibly relocate the Ba'ku from their world in cooperation with the Son'a. (Star Trek: Insurrection
).
Later that year, the Federation Council was responsible for the decision not to give the Founders the cure to the morphogenic virus. (DS9: "The Dogs of War"
)
, the Federation Council is depicted as being housed in a 15-story building in Paris
called the Palais de la Concorde. The Council chambers are located on the first floor, while the presidential office is located on the top floor; the Council itself determines who may run for the office of the presidency, and is divided into a number of "sub councils," to which the president appoints members with the full Council's approval. The Security Council, for instance, deals with matters of Federation security
, while the Judiciary Council can make rulings on judiciary
matters (that seem to overrule those of the Federation Supreme Court). As of 2379, the President of the Federation is Nan Bacco, a human woman who hails from Cestus III.
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
universe. It is the legislature
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
of the United Federation of Planets
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
and will be located in what is now the Presidio of San Francisco
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio of San Francisco is a park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(or Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in the non-canonical novels) on Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. Seats on the Council are filled by elected representatives from the various Federation Member Planets.
Canon
The Council's location was identified as "San Francisco, USA" on a display aboard the USS Defiant (NCC-1764), circa 2268. (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II"In a Mirror, Darkly (Enterprise episode)
"In a Mirror, Darkly" is a two-part episode of Star Trek: Enterprise. "In a Mirror, Darkly " was the 700th live-action Star Trek episode broadcast...
)
In the late 23rd century, the Federation Council was depicted as primarily based in a complex at the Presidio overlooking San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay is a shallow, productive estuary through which water draining from approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers from the Sierra Nevada mountains, enters the Pacific Ocean...
and the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, the structure links the city of San Francisco, on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to...
. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is a 1986 American science fiction film released by Paramount Pictures. It is the fourth feature film based on the Star Trek science fiction television series and completes the story arc begun in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and continued in Star Trek III: The...
)
As of the mid-2370s, the Council continued to utilize the same facility. This can be derived from Species 8472
Species 8472
Species 8472 is a fictional extraterrestrial race in the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager. They inhabit another dimension called fluidic space. These beings are rendered by animation from Foundation Imaging, Inc...
's encounters with the USS Voyager
USS Voyager (Star Trek)
The fictional Intrepid-class starship USS Voyager is the primary setting of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Voyager. It is commanded by Captain Kathryn Janeway....
in the Delta Quadrant. Species 8472 reproduced part of San Francisco using holographic technology in an attempt to infiltrate the Federation with spies. One of the major installations included in the simulation was the Federation Council. (VOY: "In the Flesh"
In the Flesh (Voyager episode)
"In the Flesh" is the fourth episode of Star Trek: Voyagers fifth season. It originally aired on November 4, 1998. As of July 2010, the episode had an average rating of 3.9/5 on the official Star Trek website...
)
Council members
Membership in the Council is considered an incredible honor. T'Pau of VulcanVulcan (Star Trek)
Vulcans, or sometimes Vulcanians, are an extraterrestrial humanoid species in the Star Trek universe who evolved on the planet Vulcan, and are noted for their attempt to live by reason and logic with no interference from emotion. They were the first extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek...
was the only person to have refused a seat on the Council as of 2266. (TOS: "Amok Time")
The election
Election
An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates since the 17th century. Elections may fill offices in the legislature, sometimes in the...
of Federation Council members was one of the tasks that Bajor would have to complete if it joined the Federation. (DS9: "Rapture"
Rapture (DS9 episode)
"Rapture" is the tenth episode of the fifth season of the television science fiction program series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.-Plot:When Sisko sees a painting depicting B'hala, Bajor's legendary lost city, is returned by the Cardassians, Sisko is inspired to search for the famed site...
)
Jonathan Archer
Jonathan Archer
Jonathan Archer is a fictional character in the Star Trek franchise. He is the protagonist of the television series Star Trek: Enterprise, where he is played by Scott Bakula...
served on the Federation Council, representing Earth, from 2175 to 2183 before being elected Federation President in 2184. (ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II"
In a Mirror, Darkly (Enterprise episode)
"In a Mirror, Darkly" is a two-part episode of Star Trek: Enterprise. "In a Mirror, Darkly " was the 700th live-action Star Trek episode broadcast...
)
Jaresh-Inyo represented his world, Grazer, on the Federation Council before he was elected Federation President.
Council decisions
In 2285, the Federation Council met to consider Admiral James T. KirkJames T. Kirk
James Tiberius "Jim" Kirk is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. Kirk was first played by William Shatner as the principal lead character in the original Star Trek series. Shatner voiced Kirk in the animated Star Trek series and appeared in the first seven Star Trek movies...
's violation of orders, and his theft and destruction of the USS Enterprise
USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)
The USS Enterprise, NCC-1701, is a fictional starship in the Star Trek media franchise. The original Star Trek series depicts her crew's mission "to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before" under the command of Captain James...
. The Council dismissed all but one charge and demoted Kirk to the rank of Captain. (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home is a 1986 American science fiction film released by Paramount Pictures. It is the fourth feature film based on the Star Trek science fiction television series and completes the story arc begun in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and continued in Star Trek III: The...
)
In 2366, the Council was called into emergency session when a Romulan
Romulan
The Romulans are a fictional alien race in the Star Trek universe. First appearing in the original Star Trek series in the 1966 episode "Balance of Terror", they have since made appearances in all the main later Star Trek series: The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager...
defector provided information on a possible Romulan invasion fleet arming near Nelvana III. They decided that the Enterprise should assume anything Admiral Alidar Jarok says is a lie. (TNG: "The Defector"
The Defector (TNG episode)
"The Defector" is the 58th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Overview:A Romulan defector demands asylum aboard the Enterprise with vital information about a possible Romulan invasion.-Plot:...
)
In 2370, the Council imposed a warp 5 speed limit on all Federation vessels, except in dire circumstances. This law was removed when improvements in warp drive
Warp drive (Star Trek)
Warp drive is a faster-than-light propulsion system in the setting of many science fiction works, most notably Star Trek. A spacecraft equipped with a warp drive may travel at velocities greater than that of light by many orders of magnitude, while circumventing the relativistic problem of time...
were achieved. (TNG: "Force of Nature"
Force of Nature (TNG episode)
"Force of Nature" is the 161st episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Overview:In this episode, a pair of sibling scientists show that warp drive propulsion is harming the very fabric of space...
)
Later that year, the Council ratified the Federation-Cardassian
Cardassian
The Cardassians are an extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. First introduced in the 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded", the species originating on the fictional Alpha Quadrant planet Cardassia Prime...
peace treaty, an agreement that annexed several Federation colonies to the Cardassian Union. This decision would lead to the formation of the violent Maquis
Maquis (Star Trek)
In the American Star Trek science-fiction franchise, the Maquis are a 24th Century paramilitary organization or terrorist group first introduced in the 1994 episode "The Maquis" of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, who subsequently also appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation and...
resistance movement (TNG: "Journey's End"
Journey's End (TNG episode)
"Journey's End" is the 172nd episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Overview:Wesley Crusher questions his future as the Enterprise is under orders to forcibly remove the descendants of North American Indians from a planet being yielded to the...
, TNG: "Preemptive Strike"
Preemptive Strike (TNG episode)
"Preemptive Strike" is the 176th episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation.-Overview:"Preemptive Strike" concluded the plotline involving the character Ro Laren...
, DS9: "The Maquis"
The Maquis (DS9 episode)
"The Maquis" is a two-part episode from the second season of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The Maquis, and their dissatisfaction with the Federation, would recur in future episodes such as "For the Cause", "For the Uniform", and "Blaze of Glory"...
).
In 2372, the Federation Council condemned the Klingon
Klingon
Klingons are a fictional warrior race in the Star Trek universe.Klingons are recurring villains in the 1960s television show Star Trek: The Original Series, and have appeared in all five spin-off series and eight feature films...
invasion of the Cardassian Union and agreed to provide twelve industrial replicators
Replicator (Star Trek)
In Star Trek a replicator is a machine capable of creating objects. Replicators were originally seen used to synthesize meals on demand, but in later series they took on many other uses.-Origins and limitations:...
to help rebuild the devastated Cardassian
Cardassian
The Cardassians are an extraterrestrial species in the Star Trek science fiction franchise. First introduced in the 1991 Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Wounded", the species originating on the fictional Alpha Quadrant planet Cardassia Prime...
industrial base. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior"
The Way of the Warrior (DS9 episode)
"The Way of the Warrior" is a feature-length episode of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It is the season premiere of the fourth season and marks the arrival of Worf as a permanent crew member aboard Deep Space Nine...
, "For the Cause"
For the Cause (DS9 episode)
"For the Cause" is an episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the 22nd episode of the fourth season.-Plot:...
)
Later that year, Gowron
Gowron
Gowron is a fictional character in the Star Trek universe. Portrayed by Robert O'Reilly and featured in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine...
sent a message to the Council, telling them that the Empire would not give up their captured Cardassian planets. He also told them to withdraw Federation forces from the Archanis sector and Archanis IV. (DS9: "Broken Link"
Broken Link (DS9 episode)
"Broken Link" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the final episode of the fourth season. It has an average fan rating of 4.2/5 on the official Star Trek website....
)
In 2375, Starfleet Admiral Matthew Dougherty claimed that the Federation Council had been responsible for the decision to forcibly relocate the Ba'ku from their world in cooperation with the Son'a. (Star Trek: Insurrection
Star Trek: Insurrection
Star Trek: Insurrection is a 1998 American science fiction film directed by Jonathan Frakes, written by Michael Piller , and with music composed by Jerry Goldsmith. It is the ninth film in the Star Trek franchise, and the third to feature the cast from the television series Star Trek: The Next...
).
Later that year, the Federation Council was responsible for the decision not to give the Founders the cure to the morphogenic virus. (DS9: "The Dogs of War"
The Dogs of War (DS9 episode)
"The Dogs of War" is an episode from the finale arc of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the eighth of the ten final chapters, based on a story by Peter Allan Fields...
)
Non-Canonical
In the novel Articles of the Federation by Keith R. A. DeCandidoKeith R. A. DeCandido
Keith Robert Andreassi DeCandido is an American science fiction and fantasy writer and musician, who works on comic books, novels, role-playing games and video games, including numerous media tie-in books for properties such as Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Doctor Who, Supernatural,...
, the Federation Council is depicted as being housed in a 15-story building in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
called the Palais de la Concorde. The Council chambers are located on the first floor, while the presidential office is located on the top floor; the Council itself determines who may run for the office of the presidency, and is divided into a number of "sub councils," to which the president appoints members with the full Council's approval. The Security Council, for instance, deals with matters of Federation security
Security
Security is the degree of protection against danger, damage, loss, and crime. Security as a form of protection are structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition. The Institute for Security and Open Methodologies in the OSSTMM 3 defines security as "a form of protection...
, while the Judiciary Council can make rulings on judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
matters (that seem to overrule those of the Federation Supreme Court). As of 2379, the President of the Federation is Nan Bacco, a human woman who hails from Cestus III.