President Pro Tempore of the United Federation of Planets

The President Pro Tempore of the United Federation of Planets is an office in the government of the Federation normally vacant but which is occupied by a Federation Councillor determined by the Federation Council upon the death, resignation, or disability of the President of the United Federation of Planets. Under the Articles of the Federation, the President Pro Tempore is empowered to discharge the duties and responsibilities of the presidency for a period of one standard month, during which time the Council is legally obligated to call for a special election and to determine who may qualify for candidacy for the presidency. During this standard month, there is no President, and it is important to note the distinct between the office of the President and the office of the President Pro Tempore. Upon the election of a new president, the President Pro Tempore is removed from that office, which again becomes vacant, and retains his or her position on the Council. (A Time For War, A Time For Peace by Keith R.A. DeCandido.)