The art of running a nation is a delicate one indeed. One best handled by large ponies of the long lived kind.

A decent alternative would be scores of highly educated and experienced ponies, with complete and total dedication to their cause.

Stalliongrad used to have one of those.

Now they have Distant Light.

Cool person made art: https://www.deviantart.com/princesssaros/art/Throne-353194462