Crossword Genius

Car, Jaguar possibly, carrying Republican despot (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

autocrat

'despot' is the definition.
('autocrat' can be a synonym of 'despot')

'car jaguar possibly carrying republican' is the wordplay.
'car' becomes 'auto' ('auto' can be a synonym of 'car').
'jaguar possibly' becomes 'cat' (jaguar is a kind of cat).
'carrying' indicates putting letters inside.
'republican' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'cat' placed around 'r' is 'crat'.
'auto'+'crat'='AUTOCRAT'

(Other definitions for autocrat that I've seen before include "who's in charge? Absolutely!" , "All-powerful ruler" , "One person who has unlimited power" , "Despot, tyrant" , "Ruler with absolute power" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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