regierungsfähige

Regierungsfähige is an adjective used in German political language to describe a political actor, typically a party or a coalition, that is capable of forming a government. The term signals that the actor has enough parliamentary support and organizational capacity to govern, rather than merely participating in elections.

The concept is common in parliamentary systems such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It denotes more than passing election success: a regierungsfähige party or coalition is expected to be able to command a stable majority in the legislature, maintain a government program, and secure the passage of budgets and key laws. The assessment is often political commentary rather than a formal status.

Criteria often considered include the size and stability of the faction, compatibility of programmatic positions among potential coalition partners, and the ability to negotiate a governance agreement. A regierungsfähige coalition typically holds a clear majority or, in a minority government, enjoys credible confidence and external or informal support from other factions to sustain governance.

Regierungsfähigkeit is distinct from legal or constitutional status. It is a practical evaluation of whether a party or coalition can govern effectively. The related term regierungsunfähig describes situations where no actor can reliably form or sustain a government.

In political analysis and negotiations, establishing which actors are regierungsfähig helps voters understand potential post-election coalitions and the feasibility of different governing arrangements.