Vote of No Confidence
A parliamentary vote that, if passed, forces the government to resign — the primary mechanism for removing a PM in parliamentary systems.
Explanation
A vote of no confidence (or motion of censure) is the mechanism by which a parliament can force a government to resign. If a majority of MPs vote that they no longer have confidence in the government, the prime minister and cabinet must step down. Some countries use a "constructive" vote of no confidence (Germany, Spain) where parliament must simultaneously elect a new leader, preventing power vacuums. This mechanism is fundamental to parliamentary democracy — it ensures the government always retains the support of the legislature. In practice, no-confidence votes are relatively rare because governments typically resign or call elections before losing one.
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