Self-coup

Elected leader illegally maintaining or increasing power From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Self-coup

A self-coup, also called an autocoup (from Spanish autogolpe) or coup from the top, is a form of coup d'état in which a political leader, having come to power through legal means, stays in power illegally through the actions of themselves or their supporters.[1] The leader may dissolve or render powerless the national legislature and unlawfully assume extraordinary powers. Other measures may include annulling the constitution, suspending civil courts, and having the head of government assume dictatorial powers.[2][3]

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Cavalry in the streets of Paris, after President Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte seized dictatorial power in the French coup of 1851

From 1946 to the beginning of 2021, an estimated 148 self-coup attempts took place, 110 in autocracies and 38 in democracies.[4]

Notable events described as self-coups

Notable events described as attempted self-coups

See also

References

Further reading

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