self-coup

American  

[self-koo] / ˈsɛlfˈku /

noun

1. a coup d'état performed by the current, legitimate government or a duly elected head of state to retain or extend control over government, through an additional term, an extension of term, an expansion of executive power, the dismantling of other government branches, or the declaration that an election won by an opponent is illegitimate.

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Etymology

Origin of self-coup

First recorded in 1995–2000; translation of Spanish autogolpe, equivalent to auto- ¹ ( def. ) + golpe “coup”

Example Sentences

The first sign you point to is the five military coups and one self-coup in 2021, compared to an average of only about one per year this century.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2022

Most dramatically, the five military coups and one "self-coup" in 2021 represent a dramatic departure from the average of 1.2 coups per year since 2000.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2022