Well, it's finally over!
|
Party/District |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
Total |
|
CDP |
1 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
16 |
|
COM |
5 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
|
CON |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
LIB |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
|
NSF |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
|
PEA |
0 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
18 |
|
RLP |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
12 |
|
SHP |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
|
SOC |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
10 |
|
Total |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
99 |
Unlike our system with its separation of powers, where one party can control the executive branch of government and another can control one or both of the legislative houses, in parliamentary systems, where the executive "comes out of" the legislative branch, control of legislature and executive are synonymous. If one party is able to dominate the legislature (as is currently the case in Britain) one party (Labour) dominates both the House of Commons and Labourite Tony Blair is the Prime Minister.
In a parliamentary system where no party achieves a majority of the seats in a legislature, a coalition government must be formed. A coalition government is formed when a group of parties (led by the party that has a plurality of seats), controlling at least a minimum majority of seats, (in Ruritania=50), agrees to distribute ministries and adopt some common stands on key issues.
Thus, the coalition of parties which seeks to establish a government, must bargain amongst themselves. This is where smaller parties, with specific agendas. wield power. They can (perhaps) keep a coalition from forming if they do not achieve the results they would like in terms of key ministries. It is assumed that the party with the plurality of seats will take the Prime Ministership, but everything else is "up for grabs". Of course, party stands may have to be forsaken to get into the coalition government, but that is part of reality, How far you deviate from the stands is problemmatic. Deviate broadly from your stand (especially if it is a key stand for your constituency, and you can bet voters will vote for another party in the next election! But if you don't get into the coalition government (and a near rival party does) and you'll probably see some of your constituency move to that party in the next election! Life (and politcs) is tough!
In case you've forgotten, these are the ministries to "divide up" among the coalition parties: