interregnum
Quick Summary
An interregnum is a period when a leadership role is vacant, occurring between two successive reigns or regimes. It can also refer to a time when the normal functions of government are suspended or a pause in a continuous series.1
The term originates from Latin, meaning "between reigns". While some systems, like monarchies, may have unclear succession, many modern democratic governments have laws that specify who takes office if a leader dies unexpectedly, thus avoiding a true interregnum. For example, the U.S. Constitution outlines procedures for presidential succession. In contrast, the election of a new pope involves a papal interregnum before the cardinals choose a successor.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
