In 1,011 ABY, after the Third Galactic Civil War began, Bastele was elected Chief of State after establishing himself as a strong proponent of military action against the New Sith Imperium. During his time in office, the Alliance suffered numerous losses. He was briefly kidnapped by the Mandalorians, who used him as a hostage in order to safely pass through Alliance territory and reclaim their planets, which had previously been occupied by the Sith. After frequent policy disagreements, Bastele ultimately labeled the New Jedi Order as traitors when, after it became clear that the Battle of Coruscant was a certainty, the Jedi decided to flee Coruscant and leave the Alliance to fight against the Sith on their own.