"I think what we have got is a stable minority government," he said. "Minority governments can work and I do believe minority governments can have mandates and I do believe we have a mandate to act on the program we set out."
Agreed, I'm thrilled that Harper didn't get in, but I'm surprised they got as few votes as they did.
While the Liberals are wrapping themselves in the flag and engaging in shrill fear-mongering -- falsely accusing the Conservatives of secret plots to end abortion, buy aircraft carriers, end bilingualism and who knows what else
revelator said:The Liberals have 135 seats in the house, and the NDP have 22. So as long as the NDP lend their support, they should be able to pass what bills they want.
A minority government is a form of government in which the ruling party or coalition does not hold a majority of seats in the legislature. This means that they must work with other parties to pass legislation and gain support for their policies.
A majority government has more than half of the seats in the legislature, giving them the power to pass legislation and make decisions without needing the support of other parties. A minority government, on the other hand, must negotiate and compromise with other parties in order to govern effectively.
Paul Martin believed that a minority government would work because it forces political parties to work together and find common ground. This can lead to more inclusive and collaborative decision-making, as well as preventing one party from having too much power.
One potential challenge of a minority government is that it can be more difficult to pass legislation and make decisions, as they must gain support from other parties. This can lead to slower progress and gridlock if parties cannot come to an agreement. There is also the risk of instability if the government loses the support of key parties.
Paul Martin's prediction about minority government working has been proven true in some cases, as seen in Canada's 2004-2006 government under his leadership. However, it also depends on the specific dynamics and cooperation of the political parties involved. In some cases, minority governments have struggled to pass legislation and maintain stability, while others have been able to effectively govern through collaboration and compromise.