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GlossaryPolitics

Parliament

A country's elected law-making body, which passes laws, approves budgets and holds the government to account.

Also called parliaments

Why it matters

Most major national decisions must pass through parliament.

Parliament in the news

More Politics terms

Politics

Election commission

The independent body that organises elections, registers voters and enforces election rules.

Politics

Opposition party

The political parties in parliament that are not part of the government and challenge its policies.

Politics

Coalition government

A government formed by two or more political parties that agree to work together because none has a majority alone.

All glossary terms