Political coalition

See also: Umbrella organization and alliance

A political coalition or political alliance is an agreement for cooperation between different political parties on common political agenda, often for purposes of contesting an election to mutually benefit by collectively clearing election thresholds or otherwise benefiting from characteristics of the voting system or for government formation after elections.

A coalition government is formed when a political alliance comes to power, or when only a plurality (not a majority) has not been reached and several parties must work together to govern. One of the peculiarities of such a method of governance results in Minister of State without Portfolio.

List of political alliances