Precoalitions

A precoalition is a political alliance formed before an election, typically between parties that do not usually cooperate. The primary goal of a precoalition is to increase the chances of one or more parties winning seats in the legislature, thereby gaining power or influence. Precoalitions are common in parliamentary systems where the formation of a government often requires a majority or a coalition of parties.

The formation of a precoalition involves negotiations between parties to agree on a common platform, policy positions, and a division of seats or votes. This can include sharing seats in a proportional representation system or agreeing on a candidate list in a mixed-member majoritarian system. The parties involved in a precoalition often have differing ideologies or interests, but they come together to achieve a common goal.

Precoalitions can be temporary alliances formed specifically for an election, or they can be more permanent arrangements where parties regularly work together in government. They can also be formed between parties from different countries, known as transnational precoalitions, to influence policy at the European level.

While precoalitions can be beneficial in achieving political goals, they can also lead to compromises and power-sharing that may not align with the original ideologies of the parties involved. Additionally, precoalitions can sometimes be criticized for being unstable, as the parties may have differing priorities and interests once in power.