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Difficulty: MediumParliamentary System of Government

When a parliamentary system of government experiences a formal vote of no confidence passed by the legislature against the executive, what is the immediate constitutional consequence?

  1. The Prime Minister and the cabinet must resign or request a parliamentary dissolution for fresh elections.Answer
  2. B
    The Prime Minister remains in office to serve out a fixed constitutional term regardless of legislative support.
  3. C
    The judicial branch assumes law-making duties until a new government is formed by decree.
  4. D
    The career civil service is immediately dissolved and replaced alongside political ministers.

Answer

The Prime Minister and the cabinet are required to resign or advise the Head of State to dissolve parliament for new general elections.
In a parliamentary system, fusion of powers dictates that executive ministers must retain the majority support of the legislature. A vote of no confidence signifies a formal loss of legislative support, compelling the Prime Minister and cabinet to resign or seek a dissolution of parliament for fresh elections.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the relationship between executive and legislative branches in a parliamentary system.
The executive (Prime Minister and cabinet) derives authority directly from maintaining majority support in parliament (fusion of powers).
Executive tenure is tied to legislative confidence.
2
Determine the legal outcome when parliamentary confidence is formally withdrawn.
The executive loses its constitutional mandate to govern.
The system requires immediate cabinet resignation or an appeal to voters via parliamentary dissolution.

Key Concept

Parliamentary Accountability and Vote of No Confidence
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Topics

Parliamentary System of Government

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