An end to the era of Holy War, or almost, just one more peace to conclude. I'm looking forward to the State of the Empire address. You've given some interesting hints on future strategy which I hope you will expand in the next update, particularly as they go against some of my assumptions. This:
I can switch to Republican Dictatorship for Imperalism CB as soon as I want (it's Gov't 29) but Admin Republic is superior while Holy War is available. I'll be hitting Europe pretty soon using Imperialism - the rest of the world will just fit in the gaps between wars with the Emperor.
I understand that Europe is your main concern from now on and that you need the Imperial CB to deal with it. I expect you'll be trying to seal off the coasts of likely colonizers. I expect you'll be targeting republics specifically, so that you can use your Revolutionary War CB to the fullest once you get it.
You're in no particular hurry with the pagans. Of course it will be useful to seal the coasts, so you can prevent European colonization, but inland Congo, Mutapa, Iroquois and so on can wait. I also understand European wars will demand a high toll in WE, and so require time off. Sure, Colonial Wars will be useful fillers while you recover strength in Europe.
But I happen to agree that Admin Republic is better. And the best thing about it is that you have much more control over the diplomacy score of your rulers. You've had a great run so far. You've had quite a bit of BB-free expansion, in Europe and outside, from border disputes. Essentially, you'll be giving up on that. And you'll be doing it, it seems, before you really have to.
As long as you have other targets, even inessential Colonial CB targets, you could stick to Admin Republic. I'm not sure you even need a good CB if your only goal in a European war is to disband the Empire. What convinced you to switch earlier?