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Why do coalition governments often form in multiparty systems?

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A large crowd of Rwandan Patriotic Front supporters holds up red, white, and blue FPR flags and campaign posters at a political rally in Kayonza, Eastern Province. — political party Rwandan Patriotic Front political rally in Kayonza, Rwanda, August 2010.

In multiparty systems, coalition governments form primarily because it is rare for a single political party to secure an absolute majority of seats in the legislature. When no party can govern alone, competing parties must negotiate and cooperate to form a body of advisors capable of winning the legislative support necessary to enact policies.123

The prevalence of these coalitions is largely driven by the electoral system in place. Proportional representation systems, which are common in many democratic countries, ensure that even smaller parties gain legislative representation. This fragmentation makes it difficult for any one party to dominate, necessitating the formation of coalitions to reach a parliamentary majority.234

While coalitions allow for governance in diverse political landscapes, they are often more heterogeneous and fragile than single-party governments. Because these alliances are formed through negotiation after elections, they require compromise, which can sometimes lead to a disconnect between the preferences expressed by voters and the policies ultimately enacted by the government.124