Why Are Coalitions Not Formed, Though they Could? Case Study of Canada from the Turn of 2008 and 2009
Abstract
A characteristic feature of the Westminster system, which includes the Canadian system, is the lack of a tradition of cabinet coalitions formation at the federal level. A much more frequent form of government is a one-party minority government supported by selected political parties in specific votes. This article is a case study of the process of cabinet coalition formation that took place in Canada in 2008. The aim of the opposition parties' cooperation was to counterbalance the minority government of Stephen Harper supported by the Conservative Party. In the article, the elements of the political system were distinguished, which indicate that even obtaining the support of the parliamentary majority did not allow the opposition to finally take power. Particular attention was focused on the role of the Canadian governor general, who had a significant impact on the dynamics of events on the Canadian political scene during the analyzed period.
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