DISADVANTAGES OF PURE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM 1. The conflict between the opposition and the ruling party The system acknowledges officially the presence of the opposition party whose main function is to monitor the ruling party, making sure all the functions are confined within the law. 1 However, the opposition can be seen as a Government in waiting, and to have an advantage politically, they fall prey to over-criticizing the ruling party. Such calamitous criticism encourages the delay of national progress.2 2. It contravenes the notion of separation of power Another disadvantage of the parliamentary system comes from one of its advantages; in that, there is no true institution to oppose or veto parliamentary legislation, therefore there is no check-in legislative authority.3Due to this lack of fundamental separation of power, it is believed that this parliamentary system can allocate too much power to the executive wing making it look like the Judiciary and Legislature have little oversight to supervise the Executive. Nontheless, the system can be bicameral with the upper house oversees the lower house. 3. The high cost of operation The existence of the executive in the parliamentary system of government generates more expenses because the office of the President, Prime Minister or the Queen must be supplied in terms of the facilities and logistics needed. This brings upon the unnecessary wastage of resources. It is far more expensive to operate a parliamentary system compared to operating a presidential one 4. May be liable to instability Parliamentary systems may end up being unstable. This can be brought up through a vote of “no confidence.” When the legislature passes a vote of no confidence, the government has to resign. 1 African Democratic Institute, “The Role Of Opposition Parties In Africa” (African-di.org) accessed 6 September 2020. 2 Nigerian Scholars, “Disadvantages Of Parliamentary System” accessed 6 September 2020. 3 “Advantages & Disadvantages Of A Parliamentary System” (Liberty, Democracy & Political reform, 9/04/2012) accessed 6 September 2020. This means that the government of the day can be removed from the authority before its time concludes. In doing so, it hinders the implementation of policies by the government thus stagnating development. 5. The collision between the Heads of State and Government The existence of a dual-executive can lead to conflict in a parliamentary system. This can result from the lack of common ground by both heads on policies to be implemented in the country. It was one of these reasons that lead to the clash between President Kasavubu and Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba in the 1960s in Congo which was believed to have led to the assassination of Patrice Lumumba.4 6. Flexibility in parliamentary elections. In some parliamentary systems, for instance, the British, the ruling party can schedule an election when it feels it is certain that it will do well and will avoid the elections when it becomes unpopular.5 This way, the party will hold authority for a longer. This problem can be solved by setting fixed dates for the elections. 7.Absence of initiative on parliamentarians There is a strict policy on the adherence of the party’s discipline in the parliamentary system. For instance, no Member of Parliament can vote against the party’s protocol. The guidelines of the party control the members. This may result in members not being able to take any steps of their own. 4 Nigerian Scholars “Disadvantages Of Parliamentary System” accessed 10 September 2020. 5 'Advantages & Disadvantages Of A Parliamentary System' (Liberty, Democracy & Political reforms) accessed 10 September 2020

Disadvantages of Pure Parliamentary System

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