The paramount political entity governing the Tapani Federation was the Great Council (also known as the Grand Council) of Tapani, along with its various subsidiary councils.
This Great Council comprised over 2,000 individuals, each a representative of a noble family from the [Expanse]. These families, linked to specific noble houses, amassed influence by forging alliances within the Great Council. These coalitions enabled them to secure the necessary votes to enact their desired policies. For roughly two decades preceding the Battle of Yavin, the House Mecetti-dominated coalition wielded considerable power in the council. The allocation of votes to each house within the Great Council was determined by the total population of their respective province, rather than the count of worlds or systems under their control. A Prime Minister, chosen by a majority vote within the council chamber, presided over the Great Council. While the council retained the right to initiate new Prime Ministerial elections at any moment, a five-year interval was customary.
Numerous sub-councils composed the structure of the Great Council. Among the functions of the Great Council were the election of the Prime Minister and the selection of representatives to serve in the Galactic Senate. Over time, the Great Council became increasingly exclusive, ceasing to admit new families to replace those that had died out, a practice that had been common during the earlier Dynastic Era. Representatives from the Freeworlds or petty knights were seldom granted admission to the Great Council and were never entrusted with positions of significant authority.
Beyond its role as the primary legislative body of the Expanse, the Great Council also held executive and judicial responsibilities. Consequently, the council not only enacted laws but also presided over certain court cases, conferred official positions, and granted pardons. However, its sheer size rendered it incapable of effectively managing all its responsibilities. As a result, the council primarily focused on electing officials and reviewing the decisions made by the numerous smaller councils and committees operating under its supervision.
The Great Council convened within a massive capitol building located on Estalle Island, situated on the planet of Procopia.