Luottamuspäätös

Luottamuspäätös, often translated as a vote of confidence or a vote of no confidence in English, is a parliamentary procedure used in many democratic systems. It is a formal process by which a legislature expresses its confidence or lack thereof in the government or a specific minister.

A vote of confidence is typically initiated by the government itself. If the government believes it has lost the support of the legislature, it can call for a vote of confidence. If the government wins this vote, it demonstrates that it still has the necessary backing to govern. If it loses, it usually implies that the government must resign or that new elections will be held.

Conversely, a vote of no confidence is usually initiated by the opposition. The opposition can propose a motion of no confidence if they believe the government is no longer fit to rule. If the motion passes, the government is typically obligated to resign. The specific rules and consequences of a luottamuspäätös vary significantly between different countries and their parliamentary traditions. It is a significant tool for legislative accountability, ensuring that the executive branch remains answerable to the elected representatives.