Could a coalition government not include the plurality party?
Back during the German elections, I remember a bunch of parties saying they would be unwilling to form a coalition with AfD. That made me wonder--what if AfD had won the most votes without getting a majority, but no party was willing to form a coalition with them? Could some number of the minority parties that would add up to a majority form a coalition despite none of them getting a plurality of seats? Similarly, such a scenario could happen in the UK right now, though it would require an unlikely (?) coalition of everyone against the conservatives.
parliament majority
edited Dec 16 at 20:04
Alexei
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asked Dec 16 at 19:53
eyeballfrog
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Back during the German elections, I remember a bunch of parties saying they would be unwilling to form a coalition with AfD. That made me wonder--what if AfD had won the most votes without getting a majority, but no party was willing to form a coalition with them? Could some number of the minority parties that would add up to a majority form a coalition despite none of them getting a plurality of seats? Similarly, such a scenario could happen in the UK right now, though it would require an unlikely (?) coalition of everyone against the conservatives.
parliament majority
edited Dec 16 at 20:04
Alexei
15k1684161
asked Dec 16 at 19:53
eyeballfrog
1135
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I sense that the answer is generally yes, but the details are surely different from a country to another. Is your question a general one or targeting UK?
– Alexei
Dec 16 at 20:00
@Alexei It's more of a general one.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 16 at 20:03
"...despite none of them getting a plurality of seats?" Where is the problem with that as long as the coalition has a majority of seats? Or the other way around, why must a coalition include the largest party? The question should motivate more the actual problem, if there is one, or is this just asking for a clarification? If so, then yes, it's possible.
– Trilarion
Dec 17 at 12:51
@Trilarion It seemed quite possible that the coalition could be required by (possibly unwritten) parliamentary rules to include the plurality party. Judging by the answers, this is not the case.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 17 at 14:16
add a comment |
Back during the German elections, I remember a bunch of parties saying they would be unwilling to form a coalition with AfD. That made me wonder--what if AfD had won the most votes without getting a majority, but no party was willing to form a coalition with them? Could some number of the minority parties that would add up to a majority form a coalition despite none of them getting a plurality of seats? Similarly, such a scenario could happen in the UK right now, though it would require an unlikely (?) coalition of everyone against the conservatives.
parliament majority
edited Dec 16 at 20:04
Alexei
15k1684161
asked Dec 16 at 19:53
eyeballfrog
1135
New contributor
eyeballfrog is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Back during the German elections, I remember a bunch of parties saying they would be unwilling to form a coalition with AfD. That made me wonder--what if AfD had won the most votes without getting a majority, but no party was willing to form a coalition with them? Could some number of the minority parties that would add up to a majority form a coalition despite none of them getting a plurality of seats? Similarly, such a scenario could happen in the UK right now, though it would require an unlikely (?) coalition of everyone against the conservatives.
parliament majority
parliament majority
edited Dec 16 at 20:04
Alexei
15k1684161
asked Dec 16 at 19:53
eyeballfrog
1135
New contributor
eyeballfrog is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited Dec 16 at 20:04
Alexei
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asked Dec 16 at 19:53
eyeballfrog
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eyeballfrog is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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edited Dec 16 at 20:04
Alexei
15k1684161
edited Dec 16 at 20:04
Alexei
15k1684161
edited Dec 16 at 20:04
Alexei
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15k1684161
asked Dec 16 at 19:53
eyeballfrog
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asked Dec 16 at 19:53
eyeballfrog
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asked Dec 16 at 19:53
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I sense that the answer is generally yes, but the details are surely different from a country to another. Is your question a general one or targeting UK?
– Alexei
Dec 16 at 20:00
@Alexei It's more of a general one.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 16 at 20:03
"...despite none of them getting a plurality of seats?" Where is the problem with that as long as the coalition has a majority of seats? Or the other way around, why must a coalition include the largest party? The question should motivate more the actual problem, if there is one, or is this just asking for a clarification? If so, then yes, it's possible.
– Trilarion
Dec 17 at 12:51
@Trilarion It seemed quite possible that the coalition could be required by (possibly unwritten) parliamentary rules to include the plurality party. Judging by the answers, this is not the case.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 17 at 14:16
add a comment |
I sense that the answer is generally yes, but the details are surely different from a country to another. Is your question a general one or targeting UK?
– Alexei
Dec 16 at 20:00
@Alexei It's more of a general one.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 16 at 20:03
"...despite none of them getting a plurality of seats?" Where is the problem with that as long as the coalition has a majority of seats? Or the other way around, why must a coalition include the largest party? The question should motivate more the actual problem, if there is one, or is this just asking for a clarification? If so, then yes, it's possible.
– Trilarion
Dec 17 at 12:51
@Trilarion It seemed quite possible that the coalition could be required by (possibly unwritten) parliamentary rules to include the plurality party. Judging by the answers, this is not the case.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 17 at 14:16
I sense that the answer is generally yes, but the details are surely different from a country to another. Is your question a general one or targeting UK?
– Alexei
Dec 16 at 20:00
I sense that the answer is generally yes, but the details are surely different from a country to another. Is your question a general one or targeting UK?
– Alexei
Dec 16 at 20:00
@Alexei It's more of a general one.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 16 at 20:03
@Alexei It's more of a general one.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 16 at 20:03
"...despite none of them getting a plurality of seats?" Where is the problem with that as long as the coalition has a majority of seats? Or the other way around, why must a coalition include the largest party? The question should motivate more the actual problem, if there is one, or is this just asking for a clarification? If so, then yes, it's possible.
– Trilarion
Dec 17 at 12:51
"...despite none of them getting a plurality of seats?" Where is the problem with that as long as the coalition has a majority of seats? Or the other way around, why must a coalition include the largest party? The question should motivate more the actual problem, if there is one, or is this just asking for a clarification? If so, then yes, it's possible.
– Trilarion
Dec 17 at 12:51
@Trilarion It seemed quite possible that the coalition could be required by (possibly unwritten) parliamentary rules to include the plurality party. Judging by the answers, this is not the case.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 17 at 14:16
@Trilarion It seemed quite possible that the coalition could be required by (possibly unwritten) parliamentary rules to include the plurality party. Judging by the answers, this is not the case.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 17 at 14:16
add a comment |
3 Answers
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Yes.
The general requirement for a government in a parliamentary system is that they can win motions of confidence. Even if one party holds a plurality in parliament, if it cannot win a motion of confidence it cannot form a government. Contrariwise, if two or more minority parties agree to work together, they can form a majority in parliament that will win a confidence motion.
However, coalitions that form only in opposition to a third force tend to be unstable and may not be able to agree on a legislative program or consistent economic strategy.
By way of example, in Spain, the current government is lead by the PSOE and their allies. But the People's Party hold a plurality (but not a majority) in parliament. The PP lost power following a confidence vote earlier this year.
In the particular case of the UK, following a general election, the largest party would normally be allowed to make the initial attempt to form a government, and a coalition (or minority government) of minority parties would be considered only after the party with the plurality had failed.
After a no-confidence vote in the PM in parliament, there would then be 14 days for the various other parties to attempt to form a government before a general election is called.
answered Dec 16 at 20:55
James K
33.4k8100142
add a comment |
Quite simply yes… and it actually happened in Germany before, between 1969 and 1972 (first Brandt cabinet) and between 1976 and 1982 (second and third Schmidt cabinets). In both cases, the CDU/CSU was still the largest group in parliament but it did not have an outright majority without the FDP, which chose to form a coalition with the SPD instead.
answered Dec 16 at 22:29
Relaxed
16.4k3558
add a comment |
This happened recently in New Zealand: the plurality party is out of power, because the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th largest parties formed a coalition government.
answered Dec 17 at 1:07
Tony Kelly
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
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Yes.
The general requirement for a government in a parliamentary system is that they can win motions of confidence. Even if one party holds a plurality in parliament, if it cannot win a motion of confidence it cannot form a government. Contrariwise, if two or more minority parties agree to work together, they can form a majority in parliament that will win a confidence motion.
However, coalitions that form only in opposition to a third force tend to be unstable and may not be able to agree on a legislative program or consistent economic strategy.
By way of example, in Spain, the current government is lead by the PSOE and their allies. But the People's Party hold a plurality (but not a majority) in parliament. The PP lost power following a confidence vote earlier this year.
In the particular case of the UK, following a general election, the largest party would normally be allowed to make the initial attempt to form a government, and a coalition (or minority government) of minority parties would be considered only after the party with the plurality had failed.
After a no-confidence vote in the PM in parliament, there would then be 14 days for the various other parties to attempt to form a government before a general election is called.
answered Dec 16 at 20:55
James K
33.4k8100142
add a comment |
Yes.
The general requirement for a government in a parliamentary system is that they can win motions of confidence. Even if one party holds a plurality in parliament, if it cannot win a motion of confidence it cannot form a government. Contrariwise, if two or more minority parties agree to work together, they can form a majority in parliament that will win a confidence motion.
However, coalitions that form only in opposition to a third force tend to be unstable and may not be able to agree on a legislative program or consistent economic strategy.
By way of example, in Spain, the current government is lead by the PSOE and their allies. But the People's Party hold a plurality (but not a majority) in parliament. The PP lost power following a confidence vote earlier this year.
In the particular case of the UK, following a general election, the largest party would normally be allowed to make the initial attempt to form a government, and a coalition (or minority government) of minority parties would be considered only after the party with the plurality had failed.
After a no-confidence vote in the PM in parliament, there would then be 14 days for the various other parties to attempt to form a government before a general election is called.
answered Dec 16 at 20:55
James K
33.4k8100142
add a comment |
Yes.
The general requirement for a government in a parliamentary system is that they can win motions of confidence. Even if one party holds a plurality in parliament, if it cannot win a motion of confidence it cannot form a government. Contrariwise, if two or more minority parties agree to work together, they can form a majority in parliament that will win a confidence motion.
However, coalitions that form only in opposition to a third force tend to be unstable and may not be able to agree on a legislative program or consistent economic strategy.
By way of example, in Spain, the current government is lead by the PSOE and their allies. But the People's Party hold a plurality (but not a majority) in parliament. The PP lost power following a confidence vote earlier this year.
In the particular case of the UK, following a general election, the largest party would normally be allowed to make the initial attempt to form a government, and a coalition (or minority government) of minority parties would be considered only after the party with the plurality had failed.
After a no-confidence vote in the PM in parliament, there would then be 14 days for the various other parties to attempt to form a government before a general election is called.
answered Dec 16 at 20:55
James K
33.4k8100142
Yes.
The general requirement for a government in a parliamentary system is that they can win motions of confidence. Even if one party holds a plurality in parliament, if it cannot win a motion of confidence it cannot form a government. Contrariwise, if two or more minority parties agree to work together, they can form a majority in parliament that will win a confidence motion.
However, coalitions that form only in opposition to a third force tend to be unstable and may not be able to agree on a legislative program or consistent economic strategy.
By way of example, in Spain, the current government is lead by the PSOE and their allies. But the People's Party hold a plurality (but not a majority) in parliament. The PP lost power following a confidence vote earlier this year.
In the particular case of the UK, following a general election, the largest party would normally be allowed to make the initial attempt to form a government, and a coalition (or minority government) of minority parties would be considered only after the party with the plurality had failed.
After a no-confidence vote in the PM in parliament, there would then be 14 days for the various other parties to attempt to form a government before a general election is called.
answered Dec 16 at 20:55
James K
33.4k8100142
edited Dec 16 at 21:39
answered Dec 16 at 20:55
James K
33.4k8100142
answered Dec 16 at 20:55
James K
33.4k8100142
answered Dec 16 at 20:55
James K
33.4k8100142
33.4k8100142
add a comment |
add a comment |
Quite simply yes… and it actually happened in Germany before, between 1969 and 1972 (first Brandt cabinet) and between 1976 and 1982 (second and third Schmidt cabinets). In both cases, the CDU/CSU was still the largest group in parliament but it did not have an outright majority without the FDP, which chose to form a coalition with the SPD instead.
answered Dec 16 at 22:29
Relaxed
16.4k3558
add a comment |
Quite simply yes… and it actually happened in Germany before, between 1969 and 1972 (first Brandt cabinet) and between 1976 and 1982 (second and third Schmidt cabinets). In both cases, the CDU/CSU was still the largest group in parliament but it did not have an outright majority without the FDP, which chose to form a coalition with the SPD instead.
answered Dec 16 at 22:29
Relaxed
16.4k3558
add a comment |
Quite simply yes… and it actually happened in Germany before, between 1969 and 1972 (first Brandt cabinet) and between 1976 and 1982 (second and third Schmidt cabinets). In both cases, the CDU/CSU was still the largest group in parliament but it did not have an outright majority without the FDP, which chose to form a coalition with the SPD instead.
answered Dec 16 at 22:29
Relaxed
16.4k3558
Quite simply yes… and it actually happened in Germany before, between 1969 and 1972 (first Brandt cabinet) and between 1976 and 1982 (second and third Schmidt cabinets). In both cases, the CDU/CSU was still the largest group in parliament but it did not have an outright majority without the FDP, which chose to form a coalition with the SPD instead.
answered Dec 16 at 22:29
Relaxed
16.4k3558
answered Dec 16 at 22:29
Relaxed
16.4k3558
answered Dec 16 at 22:29
Relaxed
16.4k3558
answered Dec 16 at 22:29
Relaxed
16.4k3558
16.4k3558
add a comment |
add a comment |
This happened recently in New Zealand: the plurality party is out of power, because the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th largest parties formed a coalition government.
answered Dec 17 at 1:07
Tony Kelly
111
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Tony Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
This happened recently in New Zealand: the plurality party is out of power, because the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th largest parties formed a coalition government.
answered Dec 17 at 1:07
Tony Kelly
111
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Tony Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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This happened recently in New Zealand: the plurality party is out of power, because the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th largest parties formed a coalition government.
answered Dec 17 at 1:07
Tony Kelly
111
New contributor
Tony Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
This happened recently in New Zealand: the plurality party is out of power, because the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th largest parties formed a coalition government.
answered Dec 17 at 1:07
Tony Kelly
111
New contributor
Tony Kelly is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Dec 17 at 1:07
Tony Kelly
111
New contributor
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Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered Dec 17 at 1:07
Tony Kelly
111
answered Dec 17 at 1:07
Tony Kelly
111
111
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New contributor
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Check out our Code of Conduct.
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add a comment |
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I sense that the answer is generally yes, but the details are surely different from a country to another. Is your question a general one or targeting UK?
– Alexei
Dec 16 at 20:00
@Alexei It's more of a general one.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 16 at 20:03
"...despite none of them getting a plurality of seats?" Where is the problem with that as long as the coalition has a majority of seats? Or the other way around, why must a coalition include the largest party? The question should motivate more the actual problem, if there is one, or is this just asking for a clarification? If so, then yes, it's possible.
– Trilarion
Dec 17 at 12:51
@Trilarion It seemed quite possible that the coalition could be required by (possibly unwritten) parliamentary rules to include the plurality party. Judging by the answers, this is not the case.
– eyeballfrog
Dec 17 at 14:16