Prime minister-designate
Prime Minister-designate is the term used to refer to a person who is expected to succeed an incumbent as prime minister as the result of a general election or after being named by the head of state to form a new government after a public referendum or vote of no confidence against the sitting prime minister.[1][2]
The term can be misleading, as a prime minister is usually appointed by the head of state, and not elected to office by the entire nation, as is the case with some presidential polls. However, it is frequently used by the media.[3][4][5] Terms such as Prime Minister-in-waiting, incoming Prime Minister or Prime Minister-elect are also sometimes used.
In some countries the role is specifically covered by legislation, in others convention applies before the chosen leader is sworn in. The Australian Electoral Commission, the government authority responsible for the conduct of elections in Australia, notes that "it is usually possible for the Prime Minister-elect to claim victory on the night of the election".[6]
The media sometimes prematurely refers to someone as a Prime Minister-designate. In the United Kingdom during the 2007 Labour Party Leadership Election, Gordon Brown was referred to as the Prime Minister-designate even before the Leadership elections had confirmed him in that position.[7]
The title "Premier-designate" often has the same meaning in governments that use the title "Premier" to describe a role equivalent to a Prime Minister.[1]
Constitutionally specified roles
In Israel between 1996 and 2001 (when direct prime-ministerial elections were held) the role and duration of the Prime Minister-elect was prescribed by legislation: within 45 days of the publication of the election results (which were published eight days after elections) the Prime Minister-elect would have appeared before the Knesset, presented the Ministers of the Government, announced the division of tasks and the guiding principles of the government's policies, and, after receiving a vote of confidence, enter into office. In 2001, the Knesset voted to change the system of direct prime-ministerial elections and restore the one-vote parliamentary system of government that operated until 1996, approving a reformed version of the original Basic Law: The Government 1968. This new law entered into effect with the January 2003 elections.[8]
In the Solomon Islands, the country's constitution provides a fourteen-day period between the date of the general election and the selection of the Prime Minister. During this period, aspiring candidates for Prime Minister lobby intensely to acquire the numbers needed to win the contest and form the government. The individual successfully voted to form government is the Prime Minister-designate until sworn in by the Governor-General.[9]
See also
References
- 1 2 Zampano, Giada (December 11, 2016). "Italy’s Premier-Designate Paolo Gentiloni Is Asked to Form New Government". WSJ.com. Dow Jones & Company. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella asked departing Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni to form a new government in a bid to quickly end a political crisis triggered by a ‘no vote’ in last week’s constitutional referendum. ... “Gentiloni’s designation means that the new government will have limited aspirations and little room for maneuver from the parties backing it,” said Wolfango Piccoli, co-president of research firm Teneo Intelligence, adding that Italy was likely to hold snap elections in May or June.
- ↑ "Tunisia parliament approves new unity government". France 24. Agence France-Presse. August 27, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
President Beji Caid Essebsi said in June that he would support a government of national unity, faced with rising criticism of the government of Habib Essid. Chahed was appointed prime minister-designate by Essebsi early this month after lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence in then-premier Habib Essid's government following just 18 months in office."
- ↑ Bergen, Bob (2006). "Prime minister-elect Harper must follow through on defence" (PDF). cdfai.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
- ↑ "Italian Prime Minister-Elect Proposes Compromise Presidential Candidate". Same Day Analysis (sample article). Global Insight. 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-27.
- ↑ Reuters (May 21, 2004). "India's PM-elect focuses on Kashmir". The Age. Retrieved 2007-11-27.
- ↑ "Every Vote Counts". Australian Electoral Commission. 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
- ↑ Watt, Nicholas; Oliver Morgan; Robin McKie (20 May 2007). "Brown's vision for a nuclear Britain". Politics. The Observer. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
- ↑ "Basic Law: The Government (1992)". MFA Library > 1992 (page 4). Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
Section 14 (a): Within 45 days of the publication of the election results the Prime Minister elect will appear before the Knesset, present the Ministers of the Government, announce the division of tasks and the guiding principles of the Government's policies, and the Prime Minister and the Ministers will begin their service, provided that the provisions of section 33(a) and (b) have been complied with.
and "What Happens Now? Factsheet of Procedures following the Israeli Elections". Elections in Israel 1999 - Background. Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-27.</ - ↑ Kabutaulaka, Tarcisius Tara (20 April 2006). "Seeking answers in the ashes of Honiara". Pacific Islands Report > Commentary. Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i. Retrieved 2007-11-28.