What defines a minority government?

A minority government is defined by the fact that it is formed without an absolute majority of seats in the legislature. This means that the governing party or coalition has fewer seats than half of the total seats available, necessitating cooperation or negotiation with other parties to pass legislation and maintain governance. Such a situation often leads to a reliance on support from other parties, either on specific votes or through informal agreements, which can create instability and challenges in governance.

In contrast, a government formed by several parties working together typically refers to a coalition government, while a government with no party representation would be ungoverned. Lastly, a government with an absolute majority of seats has the capacity to pass legislation independently without needing outside support, distinguishing it clearly from a minority government.