Minority government: Difference between revisions
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A '''minority government''', in a [[parliamentary democracy]], is one in which the governing party has fewer | A '''minority [[government]]''', in a [[parliamentary democracy]], is one in which the governing party has fewer seats than the parties of the opposition. In the opposite situation, a majority government, the government is virtually certain to win any vote put to the legislature. It can thus be said to have the full confidence of [[parliament]]. A minority government is subject to a [[vote of no confidence]], which would bring down the governing party and force an [[election]]. A minority cannot occur in a [[two party system]], but as the number of parties in the legislature increases, so does the chance of a minority. | ||
===Advantages and disadvantages=== | ===Advantages and disadvantages=== | ||
An advantage often put forward for parliamentary democracy is the virtual certainty of the executive being able to implement its program; this can also be seen as a disadvantage. A majority government | An advantage often put forward for parliamentary democracy is the virtual certainty of the executive being able to implement its program; this can also be seen as a disadvantage. A majority government becomes a virtual dictatorship while it is in office, so long as it remains within its constitutional rights. | ||
===Recent experience=== | ===Recent experience=== | ||
In the 2008 Canadian General election, the Conservative Party, under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was returned to power with a minority government. In fact, | In the 2008 Canadian General election, the [[Conservative Party (Canada)|Conservative Party]], under Prime Minister [[Stephen Harper]], was returned to power with a minority government. In fact, the previous Harper government had been a minority. The Conservatives had hoped to improve their standing in the house by calling an election while they were in a relatively strong position. These hopes were effectively dashed by by the [[Crash of 2008]]. On December 1st, 2008, the [[Liberal Party (Canada)|Liberal Party]], led by [[Stéphane Dion]] and the [[New Democratic Party of Canada|New Democratic Party]], led by [[Jack Layton]], announced their intention to form a [[coalition]] supported by the separatist [[Bloc Québécois]] party. | ||
===The Indian Scenario=== | ===The Indian Scenario=== | ||
In 1989 and again in 1991, there were minority governments formed in India. In 1989, [[Vishwanath Pratap Singh]] (died | In 1989 and again in 1991, there were minority governments formed in [[India]]. In 1989, [[Vishwanath Pratap Singh]] (died November 27, 2008) became the Prime Minister. In 1991 [[P V Narasimha Rao]] became the Prime Minister. In 1998, [[Atal Behari Vajpayee]] headed a minority government for 13 days. However, the first minority government had been formed by [[Chaudhary Charan Singh]] on July 28, 1979 - but he had never faced the Parliament in his brief tenure, followed by his resignation and being a caretaker PM for nearly six months. | ||
Revision as of 03:09, 4 December 2008
A minority government, in a parliamentary democracy, is one in which the governing party has fewer seats than the parties of the opposition. In the opposite situation, a majority government, the government is virtually certain to win any vote put to the legislature. It can thus be said to have the full confidence of parliament. A minority government is subject to a vote of no confidence, which would bring down the governing party and force an election. A minority cannot occur in a two party system, but as the number of parties in the legislature increases, so does the chance of a minority.
Advantages and disadvantages
An advantage often put forward for parliamentary democracy is the virtual certainty of the executive being able to implement its program; this can also be seen as a disadvantage. A majority government becomes a virtual dictatorship while it is in office, so long as it remains within its constitutional rights.
Recent experience
In the 2008 Canadian General election, the Conservative Party, under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was returned to power with a minority government. In fact, the previous Harper government had been a minority. The Conservatives had hoped to improve their standing in the house by calling an election while they were in a relatively strong position. These hopes were effectively dashed by by the Crash of 2008. On December 1st, 2008, the Liberal Party, led by Stéphane Dion and the New Democratic Party, led by Jack Layton, announced their intention to form a coalition supported by the separatist Bloc Québécois party.
The Indian Scenario
In 1989 and again in 1991, there were minority governments formed in India. In 1989, Vishwanath Pratap Singh (died November 27, 2008) became the Prime Minister. In 1991 P V Narasimha Rao became the Prime Minister. In 1998, Atal Behari Vajpayee headed a minority government for 13 days. However, the first minority government had been formed by Chaudhary Charan Singh on July 28, 1979 - but he had never faced the Parliament in his brief tenure, followed by his resignation and being a caretaker PM for nearly six months.