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A minority government, minority cabinet, minority administration, or a minority parliament is a government and cabinet formed in a parliamentary system when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the legislature.[1] It is sworn into office, with or without the formal support of other parties, enabling a government to be formed. Under such a government, legislation can only be passed with the support or consent of enough other members of the legislature to provide a majority, encouraging multi-partisanship. In bicameral legislatures, the term relates to the situation in the chamber whose confidence is considered most crucial to the continuance in office of the government (generally, the lower house).
A minority government tends to be less stable than a majority government because, if they can unite, opposing parliamentary members have sufficient numbers to vote against legislation, or even bring down the government with a vote of no confidence. If, however, the minority government forms supporting partnerships with some parliamentary parties, it can be as stable as majority governments.[2]
- ^ "Minority Government". parliament.uk. UK parliament. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ^ Krauss, Svenja; Thürk, Maria (7 June 2022). "Stability of minority governments and the role of support agreements". West European Politics. 45 (4): 767–792. doi:10.1080/01402382.2021.1890455. ISSN 0140-2382. S2CID 233664045.