snap election
Unscheduled political contest
A snap election is an election called earlier than required, typically by the party in power seeking political advantage.
The "snap" suggests suddenness—the decision announced with little warning, compressing the campaign period: The prime minister called a snap election hoping to capitalize on favorable polls.
Most common in parliamentary systems where the ruling party controls election timing.
Occurring without prior notice
- abruptSharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
unanticipated · hasty · precipitate · impromptu · accelerated · rushed · expedited · swift
Breaking up completely
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- ballotVoting document
- pollsOpinion surveys or voting sites
- constituencyElectoral district's voters
voter turnout · polling station · campaign · nomination · candidacy · writ · caretaker government · prorogation
Formal authoritative directive
- majorityOver half of total
- minoritySmaller part of whole
- coalitionTemporary alliance for action
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
incumbent · landslide · hung parliament · upset · realignment · shake-up · power shift · ousted
Exploiting circumstances for gain
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
- tacticsMethods to achieve goals
advantage · powerplay · machination · timing · momentum · consolidation · preemptive · honeymoon period
sudden
Occurring without prior notice
- abruptSharp and unexpected
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- surpriseUnexpected event causing astonishment
unforeseen · unanticipated · hasty · precipitate · impromptu · accelerated · rushed · expedited · swift · immediate
dissolution
Breaking up completely
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- ballotVoting document
- pollsOpinion surveys or voting sites
constituency · voter turnout · polling station · campaign · nomination · candidacy · writ · caretaker government · prorogation · hustings
mandate
Formal authoritative directive
opposition · incumbent · landslide · hung parliament · upset · realignment · shake-up · power shift · ousted · returned
opportunism
Exploiting circumstances for gain
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- maneuveringSkillful directional control
tactics · advantage · powerplay · machination · timing · momentum · consolidation · preemptive · honeymoon period · window of opportunity
- Philippine historypresidents, Spanish rule, vice president, revolutionaries, Imelda
- Greek Politicsjunta, military junta, colonels, coalition government, ministers
- UK electionsballot, candidate, ballot box, constituency, MP
- electionsballot, ballots, voter registration, candidates, polls
- UK PoliticsHouse of Commons, House of Lords, MP, Tory, Downing Street
- parliamentparliament, bills, votes, vote, debate