working majority
Enough votes passing
A working majority is enough votes in a legislative body to pass legislation reliably, even if some members are absent or defect on particular issues.
It implies a margin comfortable enough to govern effectively without constant negotiation: With 54 seats, they had a working majority in the Senate.
The threshold varies by context—a bare majority technically suffices, but a working majority provides practical breathing room.
Amount owed, written
- voteFormal choice expression
- quorumMinimum for valid proceedings
- passageSegment of text
- enactmentPassing into law
lawmaking · amendment · committee · floor vote · cloture · bipartisan · party-line vote · roll call
Temporary alliance for action
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- cabinetEnclosed storage furniture
legislature · assembly · governing · stability · executive · policy · agenda · representation
Creating partnerships among groups
- vote countingTotaling cast ballots
- arm-twistingForceful influence tactics
- horse tradingShrewd, give-and-take negotiation
- whipStrikes or aerates
caucus · party discipline · floor leader · deal-making · compromise · concession · leverage · bloc
Authority to direct
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- upper handPosition of control
- advantageFavorable position or circumstance
strength · grip · command · supremacy · mandate · authority · consolidation · entrenchment
bill
Amount owed, written
enactment · lawmaking · amendment · committee · floor vote · cloture · bipartisan · party-line vote · roll call · procedural
coalition
Temporary alliance for action
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
cabinet · legislature · assembly · governing · stability · executive · policy · agenda · representation · majoritarianism
coalition building
Creating partnerships among groups
- vote countingTotaling cast ballots
- arm-twistingForceful influence tactics
- horse tradingShrewd, give-and-take negotiation
whip · caucus · party discipline · floor leader · deal-making · compromise · concession · leverage · bloc · crossover
control
Authority to direct
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- upper handPosition of control
advantage · strength · grip · command · supremacy · mandate · authority · consolidation · entrenchment · vulnerable
- parliamentparliament, bills, votes, vote, debate
- coalitionscoalition government, coalition partner, coalition agreement, coalition building, coalition talks
working majorityhung parliament
No single party majority
minority government · deadlock · stalemate · balance of power · divided government
working, majority, work, works, worked, worker, workers, workable, unworkable