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How does a prime minister become head of government in a parliamentary system?
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prime minister
Robert Walpole, detail of an oil painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller, c. 1710ā15; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
In a parliamentary system, a prime minister becomes the head of government by commanding the support or "confidence" of the legislature, typically the lower house.123
The process generally involves the following steps:
- Party Leadership: The prime minister is usually the leader of the political party or coalition that holds the greatest representation in parliament.423
- Formation of Government: Following an election, the head of state (such as a president or monarch) typically tasks the leader of the majority party or the individual most likely to secure majority support with forming a government.56
- Confidence: To assume and remain in office, the prime minister must maintain the confidence of the legislature. In many systems, this is formalized through a vote of confidence, where the designee must secure a majority of votes.125
- Appointment: Once a coalition or majority is established, the head of state formally appoints the leader as prime minister.6
If a prime minister loses the confidence of the legislature, they may be forced to resign or call for new elections.37