Raiko

President Raiko is a non-bender native to Republic City. As an assertive authority figure, he was elected to be the first President of the United Republic of Nations, following the dissolution of the United Republic Council in 171 ASC.

History
With financial backing from Varrick, Raiko managed to set up a decent election campaign, and he was subsequently elected as the United Republic's first president after the United Republic Council was disbanded due to its failure to represent the interests of the majority, as well as its handling of the Equalists' attack on Republic City.



Six months after the revolution, Raiko was visited by Avatar Korra and Varrick, who were requesting the United Forces be sent to aid the South in the Water Tribe Civil War. However, Raiko refused to send his forces, believing that the Republic had no business interfering with internal Water Tribe conflicts. When Varrick pointed out that the Republic was already involved in the conflict due to the bombing of the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center, the President merely stated that they were doing everything they could to bring the culprits to justice. He continued refusing to order the United Forces to the South, preferring to resolve the situation diplomatically. As he declared the meeting over, Korra stated that his passivity would lead to the destruction of the South.



Raiko later came by the police headquarters to talk to Chief Lin Beifong about the bombing of the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center the previous night, threatening to replace her unless she yielded some results. After the meeting, he passed by Mako's desk, complimenting him on his good work. Aware that Mako was dating the Avatar, he inquired whether or not he knew if Korra was plotting something that might compromise the security of Republic City. As Mako hesitated, Raiko reminded the young officer of his oath to uphold the law first and foremost at all times. As he turned to leave, Mako confessed that Korra intended to go directly to General Iroh for help. With that information, Raiko made his way down to the docks where the United Forces were stationed, and caught the general and the Avatar plotting to bring the fleet down to the South for training exercises as an excuse to engage the Northern forces. The president asserted his authority as commander-in-chief and warned Iroh against deploying his fleet without authorization, threatening to court martial him if he did. He also warned Korra against going behind his back again, strengthening her dislike of him even further.

Trivia

 * Raiko is the first democratic leader in the Avatar World.