THE new DUP leader, Edwin Poots, finds himself with plenty to ponder after a bruising first week in power.
If he was under any illusions about the scale of the challenges confronting him, recent events will certainly have dispelled them.
The remarkable walk-out at the meeting at a south Belfast hotel to ratify his election made plain the internal problems he faces.
The Lagan Valley MLA was forced to defend his actions again yesterday after Peter Robinson accused him of causing the party serious harm by the "savage slaying" of Arlene Foster.
"One has to wonder what kind of strategy those advising Edwin are following when they took - and continue to take - decisions which can only damage his prospects of moving the party forward," he said.
While the family of Ian Paisley may not quite share Mr Robinson's claim that his departure was handled with respect and dignity, it is astonishing to have a party which once prided itself on iron internal discipline engaging in such a prolonged public spat.
But the war raging in the DUP is one thing; Mr Poots is also fighting battles on numerous other fronts.
Recent days have seen the agriculture minister forced to back down on what clearly amounted - despite denials - to a boycott of north-south meetings, as well as pledge speedy progress on outstanding New Decade, New Approach commitments including Irish language legislation.
In both cases there had been speculation that a new leadership could result in a hardening of positions to match previous rhetoric.
Instead, it has become clear that the Poots putsch represents largely a change of personality rather than policy at the top of the DUP.
The new leader finds himself in an invidious position, attempting to assert his authority while those he deposed remain in positions of power.
The longer he waits until appointing a new executive team, the weaker he will appear and the greater the opportunities for attack by internal and external opponents.
With the changeover of first minister also handing Sinn Féin the power to force an early election, Mr Poots appears to have been forced to face some harsh realities just as he begins to wield real political power.
