precoalition

A precoalition is a political alliance or agreement formed before a general election, where political parties or groups of parties agree to work together to achieve a common goal, such as winning the election. The term is often used in the context of multi-party systems, where no single party is likely to win a majority of seats in the legislature on its own. Precoalitions can be formed for various reasons, including to share resources, to coordinate campaign strategies, or to present a united front to voters.

The formation of a precoalition typically involves negotiations between the parties involved, where they agree on key issues, policies, and campaign strategies. Once a precoalition is formed, the parties involved may enter into a formal coalition agreement, which outlines their roles and responsibilities in government. However, it is important to note that a precoalition is not the same as a coalition government, as the latter refers to a government formed by parties that have won seats in the legislature and have agreed to work together to govern.

Precoalitions can be beneficial for political parties, as they can help to increase their chances of winning an election by pooling resources and presenting a united front. However, they can also be controversial, as they may be seen as an attempt to manipulate the electoral system or to create a "winner takes all" scenario. In some cases, precoalitions may be illegal or unconstitutional, as they may violate rules on campaign financing or on the formation of political alliances.