Finis Valorum
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Finis Valorum (92 BBY - 22 BBY) is a fictional character from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. He was the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic before Queen Padmé Amidala introduced a successful Motion of No Confidence into the Galactic Senate. He was subsequently deposed and replaced by his colleague, Senator Palpatine of Naboo, who ends up being the last Chancellor of the Republic, and the first Emperor of the Galactic Empire.
Before his election as Chancellor, Valorum was Senator of the Lytton Sector.
Valorum was played by actor Terence Stamp who has stated that the character was inspired by then United States President Bill Clinton. Stamp recalls that director George Lucas described Valorum as a good but beleaguered man.
According to material published as part of the Expanded Universe, Valorum comes from an ancient and distinguished family, and at least one of his ancestors had served as Chancellor in the past. This background, ironically, works against him, as many come to believe he had been elected solely because of his famous surname. Valorum's appropriate first name, Finis (which means "the end"), was first mentioned in Expanded Universe material.
Valorum was killed shortly after the Battle of Geonosis, in a terrorist attack that was attributed to Separatists. However, Valorum had earlier been meeting with Senator Bail Organa, and had revealed that he was suspicious about Palpatine's political maneuverings. It is reasonable to conclude that the future Emperor had orchestrated Valorum's death.
The Finis Valorum Memorial was constructed on Coruscant to honor the last person to serve as Chancellor before Palpatine's rise to power.
| Preceded by: Kalpana | Chancellor of the Galactic Republic 40–32 BBY | Succeeded by: Palpatine |