Crossword Genius

Country or Empire without a politician (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eire

'country' is the definition.
(Eire is an example)

'empire without a politician' is the wordplay.
'without' is a deletion indicator.
'a politician' becomes 'pm' (short for prime minister).
'empire' with 'pm' taken out is 'EIRE'.

'or' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for eire that I've seen before include "Southern Ireland" , "island" , "Northwest European country" , "Former name for the Republic of Ireland" , "Former name of the Irish Republic" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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