hold the reins

“In Republics of narrow extent,” Washington cautioned in this purged passage, “it is not difficult for those who at any time hold the reins of Power, and command the ordinary public favor, to overturn the established Constitution, in favor of their own aggrandisement.”

The 65-year-old, who took office in late 2021, also made clear that he expects to hold the reins in Berlin for some time.

Democrats hold the reins of power, with solid majorities in the state House and Senate, as well as every statewide elected office.

Still, it was unclear if and how much Stanikzai could sway hard-liners, who appear to hold the reins in the Taliban administration.

Although a center-left party defeated the LDP in 2009, it managed to hold the reins of government for only three years — collapsing amid charges of incompetence.