transition of power
Authority changes hands
A transition of power is the transfer of political authority from one leader or administration to another.
The phrase appears most often in discussions of government succession, especially after elections: The peaceful transition of power is a hallmark of democracy.
A smooth transition implies cooperation between outgoing and incoming officials; a contested one suggests conflict or resistance.
- abdicationFormal surrender of power
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- successionFollowing in order
- passing the torchTransferring responsibility to another
- decolonizationEnding imperial control
impeachment · crown · regime change · delegation · social movement · oath · election · lame duck · outgoing president · interregnum · restructuring · throne · ideological shift · signature · handshake · keys to the kingdom · nuclear codes · executive order
transition of powercoup
Abrupt seizure of power
coup d'état · seizure of power · violent overthrow · putsch · insurrection
transition of powerincumbency
Holding an official position
entrenchment · power consolidation · dynasty · one-party rule · dynastic succession
transition, power, transit, transitory, transient, transitional, transitions, transitioning, transitioned