The government of Persephone is made up of two major players: the Governor of Persephone and the Colonial Council.

The Governor of Persephone is appointed directly by the United Nations Security Council back on Earth and acts as their duly appointed representative on the planet. He has all the powers inherent in the Security Council, which include control over the military and foreign affairs. These powers are invested in his office as a representative of the Security Council; he is expected to obey the Security Council's will and they may strike down any of his actions if they so choose. The United Nations Security Force reports to the Governor rather than the Council, and the Council has no formal authority over the Security Force. The Governor can theoretically intervene in domestic affairs as well: he can override any edict of the Colonial Council that is not backed by a majority of at least five to two. But these reserve powers are seldom executed in practice.

The Colonial Council administers to all day-to-day domestic affairs for the colony, as well as the Colonial Police. There are a total of seven councillors elected by the residents of seven wards around Persephone: the SV Yuri Gagarin, the SV Marco Polo, the SV Christopher Columbus, the central hub, the old sector, the industrial sector, and the docking district. The predominantly Russian, Chinese, and European populations of the ships naturally tend to elect councillors representing those factions. In the industrial sector, the corporate vote is extremely strong, and the old sector tends to see a strong turnout for the pro-labour candidate. The other seats are generally in play at any given election, held once every four years or if a councillor ever loses the confidence of his constituency in a recall vote.

With a sufficient majority, the Colonial Council has the final word on all domestic affairs and can override the governor's edicts. However, any attempt to legislate military matters or matters of foreign affairs by the Council would be considered ultra vires (beyond their powers) regardless of the majority, and the Governor's word would prevail.