this post was submitted on 25 May 2025
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Explain Like I'm Five

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Understand Government Coalition (feddit.org)
submitted 1 week ago by ratatouille@feddit.org to c/explainlikeimfive@lemmy.world
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In various countries with multi-party systems, there is the concept of government coalitions. As I understand it, it is similar to cartel agreements, which we prosecute under criminal law.

  • But why are coalitions legal and needed?
  • Why does the multi-party system in Switzerland work without coalitions?
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[–] Eranziel@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

Canadian here. A minority gov is one which has less than X seats (where X is 50% in Canada and I believe Australia too), and usually that requires a coalition. "Forming government" in a parliamentary system like these basically means "has a good chance of passing meaningful legislation." Since the leading party can't do so alone, they form an agreement with another party (or multiple) to help them reach that criteria.

It is entirely possible for the party with the most seats to also not form government, if they're far enough below 50% and can secure no agreement with another party to push them across the line. In these situations, another general election would soon follow.