The Head of State, also referred to as the Imperial Head of State or the Galactic Empire Head of State, served as the political leader of the Imperial Remnant. This position came into being in 41 ABY at the conclusion of the Second Galactic Civil War. In the war's final weeks, the Council of Moffs of the Remnant had been in charge following the death of Supreme Commander Gilad Pellaeon. However, when the Jedi Coalition presented them with an ultimatum—face trials for war crimes related to the deployment of a nanovirus that they had recently authorized, or join forces with the Coalition and compel the Confederation, the other party in the war, to surrender—the Moffs consented. The condition was that Jagged Fel, a young starfighter pilot from a family with deep Imperial connections, would be appointed as the Remnant's new leader to ensure the Moffs' compliance. Jedi Master Luke Skywalker proposed this to the Moff Council without first informing Fel, taking the pilot by surprise. Nevertheless, he accepted the role to end the conflict.
Fel governed the Remnant for several years. In 43 ABY, he traveled to Coruscant, the Alliance's capital world, to participate in a Unification Summit aimed at repairing the damaged relationships among the major governments of the galaxy. While there, he became the target of assassins and an attempted coup led by Moff Drikl Lecersen. Upon his return to Imperial Space, Admiral Natasi Daala, driven by ambition, also tried to kill him and seize power. Although her scheme failed, her significant public support within the Remnant prompted Fel to call a general election and transform the Head of State position into an elected office through a series of democratic reforms. With Fel's endorsement, Admiral Vitor Reige emerged victorious in the election.