The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers

Lesson

Part 1 — who becomes Prime Minister, how the ministry is formed, how long it lasts and how big it can be.

In this lesson you will

Explain how the President appoints the Prime Minister, including in a hung House
Describe how the Council of Ministers is formed, its tenure and the limit on its size
Name the three ranks of ministers and their roles
Distinguish the Council of Ministers from the Cabinet

Part 1 at a glance

Diagram

Forming the government

How a government is formed.

Concept

If one party or a pre-poll alliance has a clear majority, its leader must be invited. In a hung House, the President uses discretion.

Invite the leader most likely to win a vote of confidence.
The new Prime Minister may be asked to prove the majority on the floor within a set time.