Circumstances

The parliament may express no confidence in the government, the Prime Minister, or a minister by a resolution passed by a majority of parliamentarians (Article 97 of the Constitution).

Modalites

A no-confidence motion may be initiated by not less than one fifth of the members of the parliament by the tabling of a written motion. A no-confidence motion may not be voted on before the second day after its tabling, unless the government requires a more expeditious decision.

Consequences

If no confidence is expressed in the government or the Prime Minister, the President may, on the proposal of the government and within three days, call early elections. If a no-confidence vote is adopted against a minister, the Speaker of the parliament notifies the President, who dismisses the minister. An expression of no confidence on the same grounds may be initiated no earlier than three months after the previous vote of no confidence. Over the past 10 years, about 10 motions of no confidence have been tabled, all of them by the opposition. One motion of no confidence has been adopted.