political tool; political football; something made into a political issue
Used when a matter is deliberately turned into a political dispute or exploited for political gain. Often appears in critical or analytical contexts.
The education budget should not be turned into a political football.
The issue became a political tool for the ruling and opposition parties.
A political problem or issue in general; 政争の具 emphasizes the instrumental use of an issue in political battles.
Compound of 政争 (political strife) + の (possessive particle) + 具 (tool, means). The phrase literally means 'a tool of political strife' and is used figuratively.