CPO-2002 Lecture 50: Lecture 50
Document Summary
Once the cabinet has been nominated, the support of a legislative majority may or may not have to be demonstrated in an investiture vote. If the investiture vote fails, the bargaining process starts again; there may or may not be elections beforehand. If the investiture vote is successful (or there is no vote), then the head of state simply appoints the cabinet to office. The government is free to rule until (a) there is an election or (b) it loses a vote of no confidence. If the government is defeated in a vote of no confidence or a new election is called, then the incumbent government remains in office and runs the country as a caretaker government. The caretaker government remains in office until the next government formation process is completed. In most countries, there is a strong norm that caretaker governments will not make important policy changes.