Consensus in parliamentary coalitions: mechanisms and practices of achievement

Abstract

The proposed study provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms for achieving consensus in parliamentary coalitions through the prism of the practice of mutual concessions, compromises and conflict resolution. A systematic approach was used to study coalition interaction, a comparative method to compare the experience of different democratic states, institutional analysis to determine the formal and informal rules of the negotiation process, as well as a case study method to examine in detail specific examples of conflict situations in coalitions. It was found that the effectiveness of coalition governance largely depends on the ability of political actors to find a balance between party interests and national goals. The key strategies for achieving consensus were investigated: package deals, the distribution of ministerial portfolios, the creation of coordination mechanisms and the institutionalization of decision-making procedures. The typology of conflicts in coalitions is analyzed - ideological differences, struggle for resources, personal contradictions and electoral competition. It is established that successful coalitions are characterized by the presence of clear coalition agreements, regular consultations between partners, the functioning of arbitration mechanisms and a culture of compromise. In turn, the factors that hinder the effective resolution of conflicts include: high polarization of the political space, when the ideological distance between partners is so great that it makes it impossible to find a common language; personalization of politics and the dominance of personal ambitions of leaders over the collective interests of parties; electoral pressure, especially on the eve of elections, when partners try to distance themselves from each other; the impact of external shocks on coalition stability (economic crises, terrorism, pandemics, etc.). It is proven that the mechanisms for achieving consensus in parliamentary coalitions are a complex system of formal institutions and informal practices that ensure the stability of governance in conditions of political pluralism. Effective conflict resolution requires not only institutional instruments, but also a political culture of dialogue, readiness to make concessions for the sake of common goals. It is noted that the prospects for further research are related to the study of the impact of digitalization on the processes of coalition communication and the analysis of anti-crisis mechanisms in coalitions in conditions of hybrid threats.