Parliamentary Systems

Head of Government

Prime Minister

Head of State

Monarch or President

Prime Minister

Indirectly elected, no fixed term, only head of government, appoint cabinet, which forms government, cabinet has collective responsibility (might have members from different parties), government dependent on support of Parliament

Examples of Prime Ministers

Keir Starmer, Mark Carney

Cabinet Government (Finland)

Ministers are team players

Prime Ministerial Government (Germany)

Ministers are followers

Ministerial Government (Italy)

Ministers are leaders

PM’s Question Time

Government goes before Parliament for questions. Questions are asked by MPs and Opposition Leaders. Executive oversight role of Parliament

Formation Process

1. Election

2. Formateur (winner) designated

3. Investiture Vote

4. Head of State formally appoints government

Considerations in Government Formation

Office, Policy, Type of government formation that is selected reflects office or as a priority

Government Types

Single Party Majority (UK except 2010-15)

Majority Coalition (+2 parties) (Germany)

Single Party Minority (Spain)

Minority Coalition

Types of Majority Coalitions

Oversized/Surplus and Minimum Winning

In all types of Coalitions

Connected (Ideology) and Grand (Ideologically disconnected parties)