Generally the process stops short of being an effective rule by Matriarchs, though, as many Matriarchs actively encourage younger asari to analyse and critique the contributions of their elders in political circles it is often considered disrespectful to advocate another’s position, even that of a Matriarch, without having thoroughly explored it first. In practice though, Matriarchs are hugely influential in setting Republican policy – while having no greater absolute authority than any other citizen, Matriarchs’ centuries of experience are shown great deference by the vast majority of asari, and where Matriarchs involve themselves in an issue, the discussion tends to revolve around exploring the merits of one Matriarch’s position against another. There are no political officials or representatives, nor any individuals or groups with special authority or right of veto.

Every adult citizen (including naturalised non-asari citizens) is able to access virtual legislative chambers – akin to extranet chat rooms in basic function – where opinions are shared and their merits debated, and ultimately political policy set by the direct consensus of the citizens themselves. The cornerstone of the Asari Republics is their practice of absolute democracy, made possible by dedicated communications infrastructure. The current Councilor is Irissa T’Aes, replacing Councilor Tevos Araeus, who stepped down to the position of Ambassador following the postwar reactivation of the mass relays. The only notable exception to this practice is the Republics’ representative on the Citadel Council. The Republican structure of government has no appointed leaders as such given the enormous deference they are shown, foreign governments typically look to the public statements of influential Matriarchs as indicators of the political direction of the asari people as a whole. Their military fleets patrol shipping lanes and colony space against smugglers arriving from the Attican Traverse. Easily the most economically powerful sector of the galaxy, the asari worlds of Outer Council Space traditionally used their financial clout to keep the galactic market stable. While the asari’s elcor neighbours are content with their home system and a small handful of colonies, the asari have settlements across the territory. The Asari Republics are collectively one of the major nations in Citadel Space actually a coalition of asari republican governments with a tradition of true and total democracy.

Asari homeworld