Dissolution of Parliament

Explanation

Dissolution is the formal act of ending a parliament's term, which triggers a general election. In most parliamentary systems, the head of state (monarch or president) dissolves parliament on the advice of the prime minister. Some constitutions allow the head of state to dissolve parliament independently — the French president can dissolve the National Assembly without the PM's consent. Fixed-term parliament laws (used in some countries) restrict the ability to dissolve parliament early. Dissolution can be strategic (a PM calling an election when polls are favorable) or forced (after a government loses a confidence vote). The power to dissolve — and the timing of it — is a significant political tool.