UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies
Question 16: Polity and Governance
In which of the following countries will the no-confidence motion to bring down the government passed by the legislature be valid only when the legislature is able to find simultaneously a majority to elect a successor government?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Germany's Basic Law (Article 67) has the constructive vote of no confidence. The Bundestag can remove the Chancellor only by electing a successor, by a majority, in the same vote. This stops governments being toppled with no alternative ready, a lesson from the unstable Weimar years. France, Italy and Portugal do not have this requirement in the same form.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) In France a censure motion needs only a majority in the National Assembly; no successor is named in the same vote.
- (b) Right: Germany requires a successor to be elected at the same time.
- (c) Italy's Parliament can withdraw confidence without electing a successor in the same vote.
- (d) Portugal's Assembly can pass a censure motion without naming a successor.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.