<P> In a parliamentary system of government , a hung parliament is an expression used to describe a state of a parliament when no single political party ( or bloc of allied parties ) has an absolute majority of seats in the parliament ( legislature ) and therefore has no legitimate mandate to form a government . It is also less commonly known as a balanced parliament or a legislature under no overall control . If the legislature is bicameral , and the government is responsible only to the lower house , then `` hung parliament '' is used only with respect to that chamber . It is the objective of parliamentary systems for the parliament to be able to form a stable government , preferably one that lasts until the next election . This requires the government to be able to muster up sufficient votes in parliament to pass important legislation , especially the government 's budget . It also needs sufficient votes to defeat votes of no - confidence in the government . If the state of the parliament is such that a majority government can not be formed , the government may be referred to as a `` minority government '' . The term hung parliament is used mainly in systems with two parties or two party blocs . Most general elections in such a system will result in one or other party having an absolute majority and thus quickly forming a new government ; a `` hung parliament '' is an exception to this pattern , and may by some be considered anomalous or undesirable , and by others ideal as it blocks the dangers of absolute power . One or both main parties may seek to form a coalition government with smaller third parties , or a minority government relying on confidence and supply support from third parties or independents . If these efforts fail , a dissolution of parliament and a fresh election may be the last resort . </P>
<P> In a parliamentary system of government , a hung parliament is an expression used to describe a state of a parliament when no single political party ( or bloc of allied parties ) has an absolute majority of seats in the parliament ( legislature ) and therefore has no legitimate mandate to form a government . It is also less commonly known as a balanced parliament or a legislature under no overall control . If the legislature is bicameral , and the government is responsible only to the lower house , then `` hung parliament '' is used only with respect to that chamber . It is the objective of parliamentary systems for the parliament to be able to form a stable government , preferably one that lasts until the next election . This requires the government to be able to muster up sufficient votes in parliament to pass important legislation , especially the government 's budget . It also needs sufficient votes to defeat votes of no - confidence in the government . If the state of the parliament is such that a majority government can not be formed , the government may be referred to as a `` minority government '' . The term hung parliament is used mainly in systems with two parties or two party blocs . Most general elections in such a system will result in one or other party having an absolute majority and thus quickly forming a new government ; a `` hung parliament '' is an exception to this pattern , and may by some be considered anomalous or undesirable , and by others ideal as it blocks the dangers of absolute power . One or both main parties may seek to form a coalition government with smaller third parties , or a minority government relying on confidence and supply support from third parties or independents . If these efforts fail , a dissolution of parliament and a fresh election may be the last resort . </P>
what happens if there is no coalition government
what happens if there is no coalition government
state of a parliament when no single political party ( or bloc of allied parties ) has an absolute majority of seats in the parliament
state of a parliament when no single political party ( or bloc of allied parties ) has an absolute majority of seats in the parliament