Fantastic Racism: Before Lotor's top generals and himself, who are half-breeds, being half-Galra or less was grounds to bar individuals from military service.

Much of Lotor's reign consists of using the Voltron Force as catspaws to stamp them out. Lotor claims the throne and wins the ceremonial challenge to become Emperor, but many of Zarkon's top lieutenants refuse to accept his leadership and rebel.

Evil Power Vacuum: Zarkon's death halfway through the series causes this.

Several warlords, of whom Sendak is the most powerful, are all fighting for control and there doesn't seem to be anybody on the throne.

As of Season 7, Lotor himself is also apparently dead and Haggar is missing.

Lotor takes the throne, but many high-ranking commanders such as Trugg and Ladnok are attempting to carve out their own territory, while his generals have sided with Haggar, who is off pursuing her own agenda.

The empire completely fractures in Season 5 when Lotor kills his father.

In Season 4, there existed at least four factions within the Empire actively working against each other: The majority who's loyal to Zarkon, Prince Lotor who was declared public enemy number 1, the Creepy Good Blade of Marmora who are allies to Voltron, and Lotor's Generals whose loyalty is unclear.

They're a despotic race of conquerors ruled by an Emperor.

Catchphrase: 'Vrepit sa', or 'Victory or death'.

We've seen Galra with horns, mohawk-like growths, and bald heads, human-like ears and furry bat-like ears, and hair that grows in short stiff spikes and long braids.

Cast of Snowflakes: They have a huge variety of different physical appearances, likely a result of long term cross-breeding with other races.

Whoever can make it to the top of the ceremonial temple and light the flames of the Kral Zera while fighting off rivals becomes emperor.

Asskicking Equals Authority: How the crowning of a new Emperor works.

Later subverted with the revelation that not every Galra is a part of the military or even a part of its empire.

Aliens Are Bastards: Seeing how the Galra have conquered most of the Universe and ruled for over ten thousand years in tyranny.

Voltron legendary defender galra