Prime Minister-elect
Encyclopedia
Prime Minister-designate is the term used to refer to a person who is expected to succeed an incumbent as Prime Minister
as the result of a general election, but has not yet taken office. The term can be misleading, as a prime minister is usually appointed by the head of state, and not elected to office by the entire nation, as is the case with some presidential polls. However, it is frequently used by the media. Terms such as Prime Minister-in-waiting, incoming Prime Minister or Prime Minister-elect are also sometimes used.
In some countries the role is specifically covered by legislation, in others convention applies before the chosen leader is sworn in. The Australian Electoral Commission
, the government authority responsible for the conduct of elections in Australia
, notes that "it is usually possible for the Prime Minister-elect to claim victory on the night of the election".
The media sometimes prematurely refers to someone as a Prime Minister-designate. In the United Kingdom
during the 2007 Labour Party Leadership Election
, Gordon Brown
was referred to as the Prime Minister-designate even before the Leadership elections had confirmed him in that position.
between 1996 and 2001 the role and duration of the Prime Minister-designate was prescribed by legislation: within 45 days of the publication of the election results (8 days after elections) the Prime Minister-designate will appear before the Knesset
, present the Ministers of the Government
, announce the division of tasks and the guiding principles of the government's policies, and the Prime Minister
and the Ministers will begin their service. In 2001, the Knesset voted to change the system of direct prime-ministerial elections and restore the one-vote parliamentary system of government that operated until 1996, approving a reformed version of the original Basic Law: The Government 1968. This new law entered into effect with the January 2003 elections.
In the Solomon Islands
, the country's constitution provides a fourteen-day period between the date of the general election
and the selection of the Prime Minister
. During this period, aspiring candidates for Prime Minister lobby intensely to acquire the numbers needed to win the contest and form the government
. The individual successfully voted to form government is the Prime Minister-designate until sworn in by the Governor-General
.
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
as the result of a general election, but has not yet taken office. The term can be misleading, as a prime minister is usually appointed by the head of state, and not elected to office by the entire nation, as is the case with some presidential polls. However, it is frequently used by the media. Terms such as Prime Minister-in-waiting, incoming Prime Minister or Prime Minister-elect are also sometimes used.
In some countries the role is specifically covered by legislation, in others convention applies before the chosen leader is sworn in. The Australian Electoral Commission
Australian Electoral Commission
The Australian Electoral Commission, or the AEC, is the federal government agency in charge of organising and supervising federal elections and referendums. State and local government elections are overseen by the Electoral Commission in each state and territory.The Australian Electoral Commission...
, the government authority responsible for the conduct of elections in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, notes that "it is usually possible for the Prime Minister-elect to claim victory on the night of the election".
The media sometimes prematurely refers to someone as a Prime Minister-designate. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during the 2007 Labour Party Leadership Election
Labour Party (UK) leadership election, 2007
The 2007 Labour Party Leadership Election was formally triggered on 10 May 2007 by the resignation of Tony Blair, Labour Leader since the previous leadership contest on 21 July 1994...
, Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
was referred to as the Prime Minister-designate even before the Leadership elections had confirmed him in that position.
Constitutionally specified roles
In IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
between 1996 and 2001 the role and duration of the Prime Minister-designate was prescribed by legislation: within 45 days of the publication of the election results (8 days after elections) the Prime Minister-designate will appear before the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
, present the Ministers of the Government
Cabinet of Israel
The Cabinet of Israel is a formal body composed of government officials called ministers, chosen and led by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must appoint members based on the distribution of votes to political parties during legislative elections, and its composition must be approved by a...
, announce the division of tasks and the guiding principles of the government's policies, and the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Israel
The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the Israeli government and the most powerful political figure in Israel . The prime minister is the country's chief executive. The official residence of the prime minister, Beit Rosh Hamemshala is in Jerusalem...
and the Ministers will begin their service. In 2001, the Knesset voted to change the system of direct prime-ministerial elections and restore the one-vote parliamentary system of government that operated until 1996, approving a reformed version of the original Basic Law: The Government 1968. This new law entered into effect with the January 2003 elections.
In the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
, the country's constitution provides a fourteen-day period between the date of the general election
Elections in the Solomon Islands
Elections in Solomon Islands gives information on election and election results in Solomon Islands.Solomon Islands elects on national level a legislature...
and the selection of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands
The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands is Solomon Islands' head of government, consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the National Parliament. Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm. Since August 2010, the Prime Minister has been Danny Philip of the Reform...
. During this period, aspiring candidates for Prime Minister lobby intensely to acquire the numbers needed to win the contest and form the government
Politics of the Solomon Islands
Politics of Solomon Islands takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy within the Commonwealth, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Solomon Islands is an independent country and Commonwealth Realm. Executive...
. The individual successfully voted to form government is the Prime Minister-designate until sworn in by the Governor-General
Governor-General of the Solomon Islands
The Governor-General of Solomon Islands is the representative of the Queen of Solomon Islands, Elizabeth II. The Queen does not reside in the islands, and so the Governor-General serves as the country's de facto head of state in her absence....
.