Sharing Prime Ministerial Power in Hung Parliamentary Systems: Deputy, Rotating and Alternating Prime Ministers

In parliamentary systems without clear coalition formation paths, prime ministerial powers become key to power-sharing between coalition partners. Coalition formateurs strategically use deputy, rotating, and alternating prime minister arrangements to build coalitions. Using coalition theory and examples from parliamentary systems, this study examines these strategies, focusing on Israel as a case study where all of these arrangements have been tested. The research shows that hung parliaments and increased presidentialization of the prime minister’s office lead to more pronounced power-sharing of prime ministerial functions. While this strategy enables coalition formation in difficult circumstances, it does not guarantee coalition stability.