The Election in Context

Abstract

This chapter describes how the election outcome marks an historic low in the fortunes of the traditional parties as the system has become very fragmented as all the traditional parties have recorded support close to or at low points in a historical context. The system is becoming ‘de-institutionalised’. The chapter goes on to consider the significance of the election result and governmental outcome for the balance of power between government and parliament, one that in a comparative context has historically been weighted very firmly against the parliament. Reforms promised or in place together with the new political realities could lead to more ‘consensual’ politics as defined by Lijphart, but that will depend on how all parties decided to operate this new system.

We are grateful to James McBride for his assistance with some of the Figures used in this chapter.