Kingmaker

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkɪŋmeɪkə/

Definitions

1. An individual or organization with the ability to sway the selection of leaders holds considerable sway in political outcomes and candidate viability
2. A person or group that significantly impacts who is chosen for leadership roles often determines the fate of candidates and parties within political systems
3. An entity or individual possessing the power to influence the appointment of leaders plays a crucial role in determining political dynamics and the success of candidates

Etymology: Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, was one of the most powerful men in fifteenth-century England, and the nickname "Warwick the Kingmaker" stuck to him because of what he did with the crown. He helped depose Henry VI in 1461 and put Edward IV on the throne in his place. When Edward later turned against him, Warwick switched sides in 1470 and restored Henry VI, so the same man made and unmade two kings within a decade. The word itself is simply the compound "king" plus "maker", and it was first used in the sixteenth century as an epithet attached to Warwick's name. It was not a general term for a political power broker until people began applying the phrase to other figures who influenced who held power. Its meaning stayed close to the earl's own story: someone who selects or installs a ruler.

Synonyms: power broker, influencer