Category Archives: List of cohabitations

List of cohabitations

Cohabitation – Portugal

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This is a series of posts that records the cases of cohabitation in countries with semi-presidential constitutions. Cohabitation is defined as the situation where the president and prime minister are from different parties and where the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. Presidents classed as non-party cannot generate any periods of cohabitation.

There is a slight complication in the case of Portugal. I prefer to use a standardised list of party affiliations. Therefore, I use worldstatesmen.org, which is usually reliable. This site classes as Ramalho Eanes as a representative of the Partido Renovador Democrático (PRD) for the full term of his office. However, according to my information, the PRD was only created in 1985. Prior to to that time, I understand Eanes to be non-party. If he was partisan before this time, then there are more cohabitations than those recorded here. On the assumption that he was non-partisan, then here is my list of cohabitations in Portugal:

Mar 1986 – Oct 1995
President – Mário Soares (PS); PM – Aníbal Cavaco Silva (PSD); Government – PSD

Apr 2002 – Jul 2004
President – Jorge Sampaio (PS); PM – José Manuel Barroso (PSD); Government – PSD, CDS-PP

Jul 2004 – Mar 2005
President – Jorge Sampaio (PS); PM – Pedro Miguel Lopes (PSD); Government – PSD, CDS-PP

Mar 2006 – June 2011
President – Aníbal Cavaco Silva (PSD); José Sócrates (PS); Government – PS

Source of party affiliations: www.worldstatesmen.org/Portugal.htm

Party abbreviations:
CDS-PP – Centro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular (Democratic and Social Centre – People’s Party)
PS – Partido Socialista (Socialist Party)
PSD – Partido Social Democrata (Social Democrat Party)

Cohabitation – Poland

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This is a series of posts that records the cases of cohabitation in countries with semi-presidential constitutions. Cohabitation is defined as the situation where the president and prime minister are from different parties and where the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. Presidents classed as non-party cannot generate any periods of cohabitation.

Here is my list of cohabitations in Poland:

Dec 1991 – Jun 1992
President – Lech Wałęsa (NSZZ); PM – Jan Olszewski (PC); Government – PC, ZChN, PL

Jun 1992 – Jul 1992
President – Lech Wałęsa (NSZZ); PM – Waldemar Pawlak (PSL); Government – PSL, PC, ZChN

Jul 1992 – Oct 1993
President – Lech Wałęsa (NSZZ); PM – Hanna Suchocka (UD); Government – UD, KLD, ZChN, PChD, SL-Ch, PPG, PL

Oct 1993 – Mar 1995
President – Lech Wałęsa (NSZZ); PM – Waldemar Pawlak (PSL); Government – SLD, PSL

Mar 1995 – Dec 1995
President – Lech Wałęsa (NSZZ); PM – Józef Oleksy (SdRP/SLD); Government – SLD, PSL

Oct 1997 – Oct 2001
President – Aleksander Kwaśniewski (SdRP/SLD); PM – Jerzy Karol Buzek (AWS); Government – AWS, UW (to June 2000)

Nov 2007 – April 2010
Lech Aleksander Kaczyński (PiS); PM – Donald Tusk (PO); Government – PO, PSL

Source of party affiliations and cabinet composition: European Journal of Political Research (yearbook – various years)

Party abbreviations:
AWS – Akcja Wyborcza Solidarność (Solidarity Electoral Action)
KLD – Kongres Liberalno-Demokratyczny (Liberal Democratic Congress)
NSZZ – Niezależny Samorządny Związek Zawodowy ‘Solidarność’ (Independent Self-Governing Trade Union ‘Solidarity’)
PC – Porozumienie Centrum (Center Alliance)
PChD – Partia Chrześcijańskich Demokratów (Christian Democrats Party)
PiS – Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (Law and Justice)
PL – Porozumienie Ludowe (Peasants Agreement)
PO – Platforma Obywatelska (Civic Platform)
PPG – Polski Program Gospodarczyl (Polish Economic Program)
PSL – Polskie Stronnictwo Ludowe (Polish Peasant Party)
SdRP – Socjaldemokracja Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (Social Democracy of the Republic of Poland)
SL-Ch – Stronnictwo Ludowo-Chrześcijańskiej (Peasant Christian Party)
SLD – Sojusz Lewicy Demokratycznej (Democratic Left Alliance)
UD – Unia Demokratyczna (Democratic Union)
UW – Unia Wolności (Freedom Union)
ZChN – Zjednoczenie Chrześcijańsko-Narodowe (Christian-National Union)

Cohabitation – Niger

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This is a series of posts that records the cases of cohabitation in countries with semi-presidential constitutions. Cohabitation is defined as the situation where the president and prime minister are from different parties and where the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. Presidents classed as non-party cannot generate any periods of cohabitation.

Here is my list of cohabitations in Niger:

Feb 1995 – Jan 1996
President – Mahamane Ousmane (CDS); PM – Hama Amadou (MNSD): Government – MNSD, PNDS

Source of party affiliations: http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Niger.htm

Party abbreviations:
CDS – Convention Démocratique et Sociale (Democratic and Social Convention)
MNSD – Mouvement National de la Société de Développement (National Movment for the Development of Society)
PNDS – Parti Nigerien pour la Democratie et le Socialisme-Tarayya (Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism)

Cohabitation – Mongolia

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This is a series of posts that records the cases of cohabitation in countries with semi-presidential constitutions. Cohabitation is defined as the situation where the president and prime minister are from different parties and where the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. Presidents classed as non-party cannot generate any periods of cohabitation.

Here is my list of cohabitations in Mongolia:

June 1993 – Jul 1996
President – Punsalmaagiyn Ochirbat (MUAN/MNDP); PM – Puntsagiyn Jasray (MAKN/MPRP): Government – MAKN/MPRP

Jun 1997 – Apr 1998
President – Natsagiyn Bagabandi (MAKN/MPRP); PM – Mendsaikhany Enkhsaikhan (MUAN/MNDP); Coalition – MUAN/MNDP and DU (MSDN/MSDP)

Apr 1998 – Dec 1998
President – Natsagiyn Bagabandi (MAKN/MPRP); PM – Tsakhiagiyn Elbegdorj (MUAN/MNDP); Coalition – MUAN/MNDP and DU (MSDN/MSDP)

Dec 1998 – Jul 1999
President – Natsagiyn Bagabandi (MAKN/MPRP); PM – Janlavyn Narantsatsralt (MUAN/MNDP); Coalition – MUAN/MNDP and DU (MSDN/MSDP)

Jul 1999 – Jul 2000
President – Natsagiyn Bagabandi (MAKN/MPRP); PM – Rinchinnyamyn Amarjargal (MUAN/MNDP); Coalition – MUAN/MNDP and DU (MSDN/MSDP)

Source of party affiliations: http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Mongolia.htm

Party abbreviations:
DU – Democratic Union (includes the MUAN/MNDP and the MSDN/MSDP
MAKN/MPRP – Mongol Ardyn Khuvisgalt Nam/Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party
MSDN/MSDP – Mongol Sotsial-Demokrat Nam/Mongolian Social Democratic Party
MUAN/MNDP – Mongoliin Undesii Ardcilsan Nam/Mongolian National Democratic Party

Cohabitation – Macedonia

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This is a series of posts that records the cases of cohabitation in countries with semi-presidential constitutions. Cohabitation is defined as the situation where the president and prime minister are from different parties and where the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. Presidents classed as non-party cannot generate any periods of cohabitation.

Here is my list of cohabitations in Macedonia:

Nov 2002 – May 2004
President – Boris Trajkovski (VMRO-DPMNE); PM – Branko Crvenkovski (SDSM/ZMZ): Coalition – SDSM/ZMZ, DUI

Aug 2006 – April 2009
President – Branko Crvenkovski (SDSM/ZMZ); PM – Nikola Gruevski (VMRO-DPMNE); Coalition – Until July 2008 VMRO-DPMNE, DPA, NSDP, DOM; From July 2008-; VMRO-DPMNE, DUI

Source of party affiliations: http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Macedonia.htm

Party abbreviations:
VMRO-DPMNE: Vnatresna Makedonska Revolucionerna Organizaija-Demokratska Partija na Makedonsjo Nacionalno Edinstvo (Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party of Macedonian National Unity)
SDSM/ZMZ: Socijaldemokratska Partija na Makedonija (Social Democratic Party of Macedonia)/Za Makedonija Zaedno (Together for Macedonia)
DUI: Bashkimi Demokratik për Integrim/Demokratska Unija za Integracija (Democratic Union for Integration)
DPA: Partia Demokratike Shqiptare/Demokratska Partija na Albancite (Democratic Party of Albanians)
NSDP: Nova Socialdemokratska Partija (New Social-Democrat Party)

Cohabitation – Lithuania

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This is a series of posts that records the cases of cohabitation in countries with semi-presidential constitutions. Cohabitation is defined as the situation where the president and prime minister are from different parties and where the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. Presidents classed as non-party cannot generate any periods of cohabitation.

Here is my list of cohabitations in Lithuania:

Nov 1996 – Feb 1998
President – Algirdas Brazauskas (LDDP); PM – Gediminas Vagnorius (TS-LK): Coalition – TS-LK, LKDP, LCS

Feb 2003 – Apr 2004
President – Rolandas Paksas (LLS/LLP); PM – Algirdas Brazauskas (LSDP); Coalition – LSDP, LDDP (merged with LSDP), LRS (part of Brazauskas electoral coalition), NU-SL

Source of party affiliations: www.worldstatesmen.org/Lithuania.htm

Party abbreviations:
LDDP: Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania
TS-LK: Homeland Union-Conservatives of Lithuania
LKDP: Lithuanian Christian-Democratic Party
LCS: Lithuania Centre Union
LSDP: Lithuanian Social Democratic Party
LRS: Union of Russians in Lithuania
NU-SL: New Union (Social Liberals)

Cohabitation – Iceland

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This is a series of posts that records the cases of cohabitation in countries with semi-presidential constitutions. Cohabitation is defined as the situation where the president and prime minister are from different parties and where the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. Presidents classed as non-party cannot generate any periods of cohabitation.

There is a difficulty in the case of Iceland. Prior to his election in 1996, President Grímsson had represented the People’s Alliance. However, this party merged with other parties in 1998 to form the Social Democratic Alliance. What is more, some members refused to join the Social Democratic Alliance and formed the Left-Green Movement instead. Given the People’s Alliance no longer exists, that we do not know whether President Grímsson should be associated with the Social Democratic Alliance or the Left-Green Movement, and that the president styles himself as an independent, then I do not record cohabitations after 1998.

Here is my list of cohabitations in Iceland:

Aug 1952 – Sep 1953
President – Ásgeir Ásgeirsson (AF, Social Democrats); PM – Steingrímur Steinthórsson (FSF, Progressive party); Coalition – FSF (Progressive party), SSF (Independence Party)

Sep 1953 – Jul 1956
President – Ásgeir Ásgeirsson (AF, Social Democrats); PM – Ólafur Thors (SSF, Independence Party); ; Coalition – FSF (Progressive party), SSF (Independence Party)

Aug 1996 – 1998
President – Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (AP, People’s Alliance/SFK, Social Democratic Alliance); PM – Davíd Oddsson (SSF, Independence Party); Coalition – FSF (Progressive party), SSF (Independence Party)

Generally, there have been a lot of non-party presidents in Iceland. Plus, the Icelandic president, by convention, wields little power.

Cohabitation – Germany

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This is a series of posts that records the cases of cohabitation in countries with semi-presidential constitutions. Cohabitation is defined as the situation where the president and prime minister are from different parties and where the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. Presidents classed as non-party cannot generate any periods of cohabitation.

Here is my list of cohabitations under Weimar:

Jun 1920 – May 1921
President – Friedrich Ebert (SPD); PM – Konstantin Fehrenbach (Z); Government – Z, DPP, DVP

Nov 1923 – May 1925
President – Friedrich Ebert (SPD); PM – Wilhelm Marx (Z); Government – Z, DDP, DVP, BVP (until June 1924)

I do not count the following as cohabitation because of the non-party PM, but note also:
22 Nov 1922 – 13 Aug 1923
President – Friedrich Ebert (SPD); PM – Wilhelm Cuno (non-party); Government – technocrats plus Z, DPP, DVP

Sources: wikipedia lists coalition partners under PM’s name.

Cohabitation – France

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This is a series of posts that records the cases of cohabitation in countries with semi-presidential constitutions. Cohabitation is defined as the situation where the president and prime minister are from different parties and where the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. Presidents classed as non-party cannot generate any periods of cohabitation.

Here is the list for France:

March 1986 – May 1988
President – François Mitterrand (socialists); PM – Jacques Chirac (RPR); government – RPR, UDF

March 1993 – May 1995
President – François Mitterrand (socialists); PM – Edouard Balladur (RPR); government – RPR, UDF

June 1997 – May 2002
President – Jacques Chirac (RPR); PM – Lionel Jospin (socialists); government – socialists, communists, greens, left-radicals, citizens’ movement

Cohabitation – Finland

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This is a series of posts that records the cases of cohabitation in countries with semi-presidential constitutions. Cohabitation is defined as the situation where the president and prime minister are from different parties and where the president’s party is not represented in the cabinet. Presidents classed as non-party cannot generate any periods of cohabitation.

Here is my list of cohabitations in Finland:

Dec 1926 – Dec 1927
President – Lauri Kristian Relander (ML); PM – Väinö Alfred Tanner (SDP); Government – SDP

Dec 1928 – Aug 1929
President – Lauri Kristian Relander (ML); PM – Oskari Mantere (ED); Government – ED, KOK

Mar 1946 – Jul 1948
President – Juho Kusti Paasikivi (KOK); PM – Mauno Pekkala (SKDL); Government – SKDL, SFP, ML, SDP

Jul 1948 – Mar 1950
President – Juho Kusti Paasikivi (KOK); PM – Karl August Fagerholm (SDP); Government – SDP

Mar 1950 – Nov 1953
President – Juho Kusti Paasikivi (KOK); PM – Urho Kekkonen (ML); Government – ML, ED (until Sep 1951), SFP, SDP (Jan 1951-July 1953)

May 1954 – Oct 1954
President – Juho Kusti Paasikivi (KOK); PM – Ralf Johan Gustaf Törngren (SDP); Government – SFP, SDP, ML

Oct 1954 – Feb 1956
President – Juho Kusti Paasikivi (KOK); PM – Urho Kekkonen (ML); Government – ML, SDP

Feb 1972 – Sep 1972
President – Urho Kekkonen (ML/KESK); PM – Kustaa Rafael Paasio (SDP); Government – SDP

Apr 1991 – March 1994
President – Mauno Henrik Koivisto (SDP); PM – Esko Tapani Aho (KESK); Government – KESK, KOK, RKP/SFP, SKL

March 1994 – Apr 1995
President – Martti Ahtisaari (SDP); PM – Esko Tapani Aho (KESK); Government – KESK, KOK, RKP/SFP, SKL (to June 1994)

Apr 2007 – June 2011
President – Tarja Kaarina Halonen (SDP); PM – Matti Taneli Vanhanen (KESK); Government – KESK, RKP/SFP, VIHR

Parties:
ED – Kansallinen Edistyspuolue (National Progressive Party)
KESK – Suomen Keskusta (Finnish Centre Party)
KOK – Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party)
ML – Maalaisliitto (Farmers League – became KESK)
RKP – Ruotsalainen kansanpuolue (Finnish for Swedish People’s Party in Finland)
SDP – Suomen Sosialidemokraatinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party)
SFP – Svenska Folkpartiet i Finland (Swedish People’s Party in Finland)
SKDL – Suomen Kansan Demokraattinen Liitto (Finnish People’s Democratic League)
SKL – Suomen Kristillinen Liitto (Finnish Christian League)
VIHR – Vihreät (Greens)

Sources:
Cabinet composition:
1919-45 – Klaus Tornudd, ‘Composition of Cabinets in Finland 1917-1968’, Scandinavian Political Studies, vol. 4, issue 4A, 1969, pp. 58-70;
1945- Jaakko Nousianen, ‘Finland: The consolidation of Parliamentary Governance’, in W. C. Muller and Kaare Strøm (eds.), Coalition Governments in Western Europe, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000, pp. 264-99.

List of presidents and PMs and their affiliations:
http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Finland.html