The book actually features a backstory pretty close to the Prequels with Senator Palpatine using the "massive organs of commerce" to gain power and become president of the Republic.
The biggest difference is that by the time of the book, he's pretty much a puppet to people like Tarkin.
The year is 2024 A.D. Germany has set a new renewable energy record. Well not entirely! One small state of unprogressive Bavarians still holds out against the modern technologies.