Cardassian Union

The Cardassian Union is an interstellar political entity, headed by the civilian Detapa Council and the military Central Command, based on planet Cardassia Prime.

The balance of political power between the Detapa Council and Central Command has shifted numerous time through history, influenced at times by the Obsidian Order, Cardassia's secretive intelligence organization. In 2372, the Detapa Council took control of the government, sparking suspicions of a Dominion-influenced coup and leading to a Klingon invasion. (DS9 episode: "The Way of the Warrior") In 2373, Gul Dukat, then military advisor to the Detapa Council, secretly negotiated an alliance with the Dominion, making himself the nominal head of the Cardassian Union. (DS9 episode: "By Inferno's Light")

In the aftermath of the Dominion War, a democratic government was established, headed by Alon Ghemor. (DS9 novel: A Stitch in Time)