How minority parties influence coalition negotiations in Europe

In recent years, Europe’s political environment has undergone significant changes, with single-party dominance becoming increasingly rare. This shift has underscored the importance of coalition-building, particularly the often-overlooked role of minor coalition partners. However, around the discussion table behind closed doors, no one seems to count the votes.

Election monitoring across Europe reveals a fragmented and polarised political environment, even in the most seemingly homogenous societies. In just the past two years, countries like Germany, Spain, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Estonia, and the Netherlands, among others, have relied heavily on coalition negotiations for post-election power distribution. With single-party majorities becoming a rarity, coalition agreements have grown in importance, offering pragmatic governance solutions and reflecting the electorate’s diverse needs.