PoliticsJuly 15, 2026
sniper
/ˈsnaɪpər/
Definition
A politician who votes against their own party's position in a secret ballot, often to undermine leadership without being identified.
Etymology
Derived from the verb 'snipe,' which originated in the late 18th century to describe shooting game birds called 'snipes' from a hidden position. By the 19th century, it evolved to refer to anyone attacking others from a concealed, safe vantage point.
In the news
In this article, the term refers to members of the ruling coalition who secretly broke ranks to defeat a government bill. These 'snipers' exploited the anonymity of a secret vote to strike at their own party's agenda.
Italian government rules out snap elections after parliamentary vote setback
Read the full article ↗Anadolu Ajansı