The President Pro Tempore of the United Federation of Planets is an office in the government of the Federation normally vacant but which is occupied by a Federation Councillor determined by the Federation Council upon the death, resignation, or disability of the President of the United Federation of Planets. Under the Articles of the Federation, the President Pro Tempore is empowered to discharge the duties and responsibilities of the presidency for a period of one standard month, during which time the Council, if the current president has resigned, died, or is permanently unable to discharge the office's duties, is legally obligated to call for a special election and to determine who may qualify for candidacy for the presidency. During this standard month, there is no President, and it is important to note the distinction between the office of the President and the office of the President Pro Tempore. Upon the election of a new president, the President Pro Tempore is removed from that office, which again becomes vacant, and retains his or her position on the Council.

Federation Councillor Ra'ch B'ullhy of Damiano served in this position after the resignation of Min Zife in 2379. (TNG - A Time to... novel: A Time for War, A Time for Peace)