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A dominant-party system, or one-party dominant system, is a political occurrence in which a single political party continuously dominates election results over running
opposition Opposition may refer to: Arts and media * ''Opposition'' (Altars EP), 2011 EP by Christian metalcore band Altars * The Opposition (band), a London post-punk band * '' The Opposition with Jordan Klepper'', a late-night television series on Com ...
groups or parties. Any ruling party staying in power for more than one consecutive term may be considered a dominant party (also referred to as a ''predominant'' or ''hegemonic'' party). Some dominant parties were called the natural governing party, given their length of time in power. ''Dominant''-parties and their domination of a state, develop out of one-sided electoral and party constellations within a multi-party system (particularly under
presidential system A presidential system, or single executive system, is a form of government in which a head of government, typically with the title of president, leads an executive branch that is separate from the legislative branch in systems that use separatio ...
s of governance), and as such differ from states under a ''one''-party system, which are intricately organized around a specific party. Sometimes the term "''de facto'' one-party state" is used to describe dominant-party systems which, unlike a one-party system, allows (at least nominally) democratic multiparty elections, but the existing practices or balance of political power effectively prevent the opposition from winning power, thus resembling a one-party state. Dominant-party systems differ from the political dynamics of other dominant multi-party constellations such as consociationalism,
grand coalition A grand coalition is an arrangement in a multi-party parliamentary system in which the two largest political parties of opposing political ideologies unite in a coalition government. The term is most commonly used in countries where there are ...
s and
two-party system A two-party system is a political party system in which two major political parties consistently dominate the political landscape. At any point in time, one of the two parties typically holds a majority in the legislature and is usually refe ...
s, which are characterized and sustained by narrow or balanced competition and cooperation. Between 1950 and 2017, more than 130 countries were included in the list of dominant-party systems at different times.


Theory

Dominant-party systems are commonly based on majority rule for
proportional representation Proportional representation (PR) refers to a type of electoral system under which subgroups of an electorate are reflected proportionately in the elected body. The concept applies mainly to geographical (e.g. states, regions) and political divis ...
or majority boosting in semi-proportional representation. Critics of the "dominant party" theory argue that it views the meaning of democracy as given, and that it assumes that only a particular conception of representative democracy (in which different parties alternate frequently in power) is valid. Suttner, R. (2006), "Party dominance 'theory': Of what value?", ''Politikon'' 33 (3), pp. 277–297
Raymond Suttner Raymond Suttner (born ) is South African activist, academic, journalist and public figure. Education and activism Suttner was born in Durban, South Africa. He obtained BA and LLB degrees from the University of Cape Town and an inter-disciplinar ...
, himself a former leader of the
African National Congress The African National Congress (ANC) is a social-democratic political party in South Africa. A liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid, it has governed the country since 1994, when the first post-apartheid election install ...
(ANC), argues that "the dominant party 'system' is deeply flawed as a mode of analysis and lacks explanatory capacity. But it is also a very conservative approach to politics. Its fundamental political assumptions are restricted to one form of democracy, namely electoral politics, and display hostility towards popular politics. This is manifest in the obsession with the quality of electoral opposition, and its sidelining or ignoring of popular political activity organised in other ways. The assumption in this approach is that other forms of organisation and opposition are of limited importance or a separate matter from the consolidation of their version of democracy." One of the dangers of dominant parties is "the tendency of dominant parties to conflate party and state and to appoint party officials to senior positions irrespective of their having the required qualities." However, in some countries this is common practice even when there is no dominant party. In contrast to one-party systems, dominant-party systems can occur within a context of a democratic system. In a one-party system other parties are banned, but in dominant-party systems other political parties are tolerated, and (in democratic dominant-party systems) operate without overt legal impediment, but do not have a realistic chance of winning; the dominant party genuinely wins the votes of the vast majority of voters every time (or, in authoritarian systems, claims to). Under authoritarian dominant-party systems, which may be referred to as " electoralism" or "soft authoritarianism",
opposition Opposition may refer to: Arts and media * ''Opposition'' (Altars EP), 2011 EP by Christian metalcore band Altars * The Opposition (band), a London post-punk band * '' The Opposition with Jordan Klepper'', a late-night television series on Com ...
parties are legally allowed to operate, but are too weak or ineffective to seriously challenge power, perhaps through various forms of corruption, constitutional quirks that intentionally undermine the ability for an effective opposition to thrive, institutional and/or organizational conventions that support the status quo, occasional but not omnipresent
political repression Political repression is the act of a state entity controlling a citizenry by force for political reasons, particularly for the purpose of restricting or preventing the citizenry's ability to take part in the political life of a society, thereby ...
, or inherent cultural values averse to change. In some states opposition parties are subject to varying degrees of official harassment and most often deal with restrictions on free speech (such as press laws), lawsuits against the opposition, and rules or electoral systems (such as gerrymandering of electoral districts) designed to put them at a disadvantage. In some cases outright
electoral fraud Electoral fraud, sometimes referred to as election manipulation, voter fraud or vote rigging, involves illegal interference with the process of an election, either by increasing the vote share of a favored candidate, depressing the vote share of ...
keeps the opposition from power. On the other hand, some dominant-party systems occur, at least temporarily, in countries that are widely seen, both by their citizens and outside observers, to be textbook examples of democracy. An example of a genuine democratic dominant-party system would be the pre- Emergency India, which was almost universally viewed by all as being a democratic state, even though the only major national party at that time was the
Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress (INC), colloquially the Congress Party but often simply the Congress, is a political party in India with widespread roots. Founded in 1885, it was the first modern nationalist movement to emerge in the British E ...
. The reasons why a dominant-party system may form in such a country are often debated: supporters of the dominant party tend to argue that their party is simply doing a good job in government and the opposition continuously proposes unrealistic or unpopular changes, while supporters of the opposition tend to argue that the electoral system disfavors them (for example because it is based on the principle of
first past the post In a first-past-the-post electoral system (FPTP or FPP), formally called single-member plurality voting (SMP) when used in single-member districts or informally choose-one voting in contrast to ranked voting, or score voting, voters cast thei ...
), or that the dominant party receives a disproportionate amount of funding from various sources and is therefore able to mount more persuasive campaigns. In states with ethnic issues, one party may be seen as being the party for an ethnicity or race with the party for the majority ethnic, racial or religious group dominating, e.g., the
African National Congress The African National Congress (ANC) is a social-democratic political party in South Africa. A liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid, it has governed the country since 1994, when the first post-apartheid election install ...
in
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring coun ...
(governing since the end of
apartheid Apartheid (, especially South African English: , ; , "aparthood") was a system of institutionalised racial segregation that existed in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1948 to the early 1990s. Apartheid was ...
in 1994) has strong support amongst Bantu peoples of South Africa and the
Ulster Unionist Party The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is a unionist political party in Northern Ireland. The party was founded in 1905, emerging from the Irish Unionist Alliance in Ulster. Under Edward Carson, it led unionist opposition to the Irish Home Rule m ...
governed
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label=Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is #Descriptions, variously described as ...
from its creation in 1921 until 1972 with the support of the
Protestant Protestantism is a Christian denomination, branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Reformation, Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century agai ...
majority. Similarly, the Apartheid-era National Party in South Africa had the support of
Afrikaners Afrikaners () are a South African ethnic group descended from predominantly Dutch settlers first arriving at the Cape of Good Hope in the 17th and 18th centuries.Entry: Cape Colony. ''Encyclopædia Britannica Volume 4 Part 2: Brain to Cas ...
who make up the majority of
White South Africans White South Africans generally refers to South Africans of European descent. In linguistic, cultural, and historical terms, they are generally divided into the Afrikaans-speaking descendants of the Dutch East India Company's original settle ...
while English-speaking white South Africans tended towards more liberal and reform-oriented parties like the Progressive Federal Party. Sub-national entities are often dominated by one party due to the area's demographic being on one end of the spectrum. For example, the current elected
government A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a state. In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, executive, and judiciary. Government i ...
of the
District of Columbia ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle (Washington, D.C.), Logan Circle, Jefferson Memoria ...
has been governed by Democrats since its creation in the 1970s,
Bavaria Bavaria ( ; ), officially the Free State of Bavaria (german: Freistaat Bayern, link=no ), is a state in the south-east of Germany. With an area of , Bavaria is the largest German state by land area, comprising roughly a fifth of the total l ...
by the Christian Social Union since 1957,
Madeira ) , anthem = ( en, "Anthem of the Autonomous Region of Madeira") , song_type = Regional anthem , image_map=EU-Portugal_with_Madeira_circled.svg , map_alt=Location of Madeira , map_caption=Location of Madeira , subdivision_type=Sovereign st ...
by the Social Democrats since 1976, and
Alberta Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest T ...
by Progressive Conservatives from 1971 to 2015. On the other hand, where the dominant party rules nationally on a genuinely democratic basis, the opposition may be strong in one or more subnational areas, possibly even constituting a dominant party locally; an example is South Africa, where although the African National Congress is dominant at the national level, the opposition Democratic Alliance is strong to dominant in the Province of Western Cape.


Current dominant-party systems


Africa

* **
Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola The People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola ( pt, Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola, abbr. MPLA), for some years called the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola – Labour Party (), is an Angolan left-wing, social dem ...
, ''Movimento Popular de Libertação de Angola'' (MPLA): In power since independence, November 11, 1975; sole legal party, 1975–91 ** Formerly led by President
José Eduardo dos Santos José Eduardo dos Santos (; 28 August 1942 – 8 July 2022) was the president of Angola from 1979 to 2017. As president, dos Santos was also the commander-in-chief of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) and president of the People's Movement for t ...
(in office from September 10, 1979, to August 28, 2017) and now led by
João Lourenço João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço (born 5 March 1954) is an Angolan politician, who has served as the president of Angola since 26 September 2017. Previously, he was Minister of Defence from 2014 to 2017. In September 2018, he became the Cha ...
. ** Presidential election, 1992: dos Santos (MPLA-PT) won 49.6% of the vote. As this was not an absolute majority, a runoff against Jonas Savimbi (40.1%) was required, but did not take place. Dos Santos remained in office without democratic legitimacy. ** New constitution, 2010: popular election of president abolished in favour of a rule that the top candidate of the most voted party in parliamentary elections becomes president. ** Parliamentary election, 2017: MPLA 61.11% and 150 of 220 seats. * ** Botswana Democratic Party (BDP): Led by President Mokgweetsi Masisi, in office since April 1, 2018 ** In power since independence in 1966, first elected March 3, 1965 ** Parliamentary election, 2019: BDP 52.65% and 38 of 57 seats ** Local elections, 2009: BDP 333 of 490 seats * ** National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) In power since 2005 ** Led by President Évariste Ndayishimiye, in office since June 18, 2020 ** Presidential election, 2020: CNDD-FDD 71.45% * **
Cameroon People's Democratic Movement The Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM; french: Rassemblement démocratique du Peuple Camerounais, RDPC) is the ruling political party in Cameroon. Previously known as the Cameroonian National Union, which had dominated Cameroon politi ...
(Rassemblement Démocratique et Populaire du Cameroun, RDPC): Led by President Paul Biya, in office since November 6, 1982 ** In power, under various names, since independence, January 1, 1960 (Sole legal party, 1966–1990) ** Presidential election, 2018: Paul Biya (RDPC) 71.28% ** Parliamentary election, 2020: RDPC 139 of 180 seats * ** Congolese Party of Labour (Parti Congolais du Travail, PCT): Led by President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, in office from February 8, 1979, to August 31, 1992, and since October 15, 1997 ** In power, under various names, from 1969 to 1992 and since 1997 (Sole legal party, 1963–1990) ** Parliamentary election, 2017: PCT 90 of 139 seats ** Presidential election, 2016: Denis Sassou-Nguesso (PCT) 60.19% * ** People's Rally for Progress (Rassemblement Populaire pour de Progrès, RPP) ** Led by President Ismail Omar Guelleh, in office since May 8, 1999 ** In power since its formation in 1979 (Sole legal party, 1979–1992) ** Parliamentary election, 2018: RPP in coalition, 87.83% and 57 of 65 seats ** Presidential election, 2016: Ismail Omar Guelleh (RPP) 87.07% * **
Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea The Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea ( es, Partido Democrático de Guinea Ecuatorial, abbreviated PDGE) is the ruling political party in Equatorial Guinea. It was established by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo on 11 October 1987. ...
(Partido Democrático de Guinea Ecuatorial, PDGE) ** Led by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, in office since August 3, 1979: In power since its formation in 1987 (Sole legal party, 1987–1991) ** Senate election, 2017: PDGE 92.00% 55 of 70 seats (Includes 15 unelected representatives appointed by the president.) ** Chamber of People's Representatives election, 2017: PDGE 92.00% 99 of 100 seats ** Presidential election, 2016: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (PDGE) 93.53% * **
Prosperity Party The Prosperity Party ( am, ብልጽግና ፓርቲ, Bilits’igina Paritī; om, Paartii Badhaadhiinaa) is a political party in Ethiopia that was established on 1 December 2019 as a successor to the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democrati ...
, previously Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF): Led by Prime Minister
Abiy Ahmed Abiy Ahmed Ali ( om, Abiyi Ahmed Alii; am, አብይ አሕመድ ዐሊ; born 15 August 1976) is an Ethiopian politician who has been the 4th prime minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia since 2 April 2018. He won the 2019 ...
, in office since April 2, 2018 ** In power since May 28, 1991 (party reorganization 2019) ** Parliamentary election, 2015: 500 of 547 seats (546 of 547 seats including allies) ** Regional election, 2015: Regional partners 1987 of 1990 seats * **
Gabonese Democratic Party The Gabonese Democratic Party (french: Parti Démocratique Gabonais, abbreviated PDG), is the ruling and dominant political party of Gabon. Between 1968 and 1990 it was the sole legal party. History The party was established as the Gabonese Dem ...
(Parti Démocratique Gabonais, PDG): Led by President
Ali Bongo Ondimba Ali Bongo Ondimba (born Alain Bernard Bongo; 9 February 1959),"Bongo Ali", ''Gabon: Les hommes de pouvoir'', number 4Africa Intelligence 5 March 2002 . sometimes known as Ali Bongo, is a Gabonese politician who has been the third president of ...
, in office since October 16, 2009 ** In power, under various names, since November 28, 1958 (Sole legal party, 1968–1991) ** Parliamentary election, 2018: PDG 98 of 120 seats ** Presidential election, 2016: Ali Bongo Ondimba 49.8% * ** Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO) ** Led by President Filipe Nyusi, in office since January 15, 2015 ** In power since independence, June 25, 1975 (Sole legal party, 1975–1990) ** Presidential election, 2019: Filipe Nyusi (FRELIMO) 73.46% ** Parliamentary election, 2019: FRELIMO 71.28% and 184 of 250 seats * ** South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) ** Led by President Hage Geingob, in office since March 21, 2015 ** In power since independence, March 21, 1990 ** Presidential election, 2019: Hage Geingob (SWAPO) 56.3% ** Parliamentary election, 2019: SWAPO 63 of 96 seats ** Local elections, 2015: SWAPO 112 of 121 seats ** Regional elections, 2015: SWAPO 277 of 378 seats * **
Rwandan Patriotic Front The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF–Inkotanyi, french: Front patriotique rwandais, FPR) is the ruling political party in Rwanda. Led by President Paul Kagame, the party has governed the country since its armed wing defeated government forces, winn ...
(RPF) ** Led by President
Paul Kagame Paul Kagame (; born 23 October 1957) is a Rwandan politician and former military officer who is the 4th and current president of Rwanda since 2000. He previously served as a commander of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a Uganda-based rebel ...
, in office since March 24, 2000 ** In power since July 19, 1994 ** Presidential election, 2017: Paul Kagame (RPF) 98.79% ** Parliamentary election, 2018: RPF 73.95% and 40 of 80 seats * **
African National Congress The African National Congress (ANC) is a social-democratic political party in South Africa. A liberation movement known for its opposition to apartheid, it has governed the country since 1994, when the first post-apartheid election install ...
(ANC) ** Led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, in office since February 15, 2018 ** In power since May 10, 1994 ** Parliamentary election, 2019: ANC 57.50% and 230 of 400 seats ** Municipal elections, 2021: ANC 47.52% * ** Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) ** Led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, in office since July 9, 2011; and was President of Southern Sudan since July 30, 2005 ** In power since independence, July 9, 2011; and in the autonomous Government of Southern Sudan since formation, July 9, 2005 ** Presidential election, 2010: Salva Kiir Mayardit (SPLM) 92.99% ** Parliamentary election, 2010: SPLM 160 of 170 seats ** * ** Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM): Led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, in office since March 19, 2021 ** In power, under various names, since independence, December 9, 1961 (Sole legal party, 1964–1992) ** Civic election, 2014: CCM 74.50% ** Presidential election, 2015:
John Magufuli John Pombe Joseph Magufuli (29 October 1959 – 17 March 2021) was the fifth president of Tanzania, serving from 2015 until his death in 2021. He served as Minister of Works, Transport and Communications from 2000 to 2005 and 2010 to 2015 and wa ...
(CCM) 58.46% ** Parliamentary election, 2015: CCM 252 of 367 seats * ** Union for the Republic (UNIR): Led by President Faure Gnassingbé, in office since February 5, 2005 ** In power since its formation in 2012 ** Presidential election, 2020: Faure Gnassingbé (UNIR) 70.78% ** Parliamentary election, 2018: UNIR 59 of 91 seats * **
National Resistance Movement The National Resistance Movement ( sw, Harakati za Upinzani za Kitaifa; abbr. NRM) has been the ruling party in Uganda since 1986. History The National Resistance Movement (NRM) was founded as a liberation movement that waged a guerrilla ...
(NRM): Led by President
Yoweri Museveni Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa (born 15 September 1944) is a Ugandan politician and retired senior military officer who has been the 9th and current President of Uganda since 26 January 1986. Museveni spearheaded rebellions with aid of then ...
, in office since January 29, 1986. ** In power as ''de facto'' dominant party since January 29, 1986, as a "non-party Movement." ** Became ''de jure'' dominant party with the return of multi-party elections on July 28, 2005. ** Presidential election, 2016:
Yoweri Museveni Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa (born 15 September 1944) is a Ugandan politician and retired senior military officer who has been the 9th and current President of Uganda since 26 January 1986. Museveni spearheaded rebellions with aid of then ...
(NRM) 60.62% ** Parliamentary election, 2016: NRM 293 of 426 seats * ** The Polisario Front is the only political party represented in the
government in exile A government in exile (abbreviated as GiE) is a political group that claims to be a country or semi-sovereign state's legitimate government, but is unable to exercise legal power and instead resides in a foreign country. Governments in exile ...
of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (headquartered in neighbouring Algeria) ** Legislative election, 2012: 53 of 53 Seats ** Other parties are permitted in the Sahrawi constitution, but currently none exist, effectively making the SADR a
one-party state A one-party state, single-party state, one-party system, or single-party system is a type of sovereign state in which only one political party has the right to form the government, usually based on the existing constitution. All other partie ...
** The United Nations has designated the Polisario Front to be the sole legitimate representative of the
Sahrawi people The Sahrawi, or Saharawi people ( ar, صحراويون '; es, Saharaui), are an ethnic group and nation native to the western part of the Sahara desert, which includes the Western Sahara, southern Morocco, much of Mauritania, and along the ...
* ** Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF): Formerly led by President Robert Mugabe, in office from April 18, 1980, to November 21, 2017 (as president since December 31, 1987) and now led by
Emmerson Mnangagwa Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa (, US: (); born 15 September 1942) is a Zimbabwean politician who has served as President of Zimbabwe since 24 November 2017. A member of ZANU–PF and a longtime ally of former President Robert Mugabe, he held a ...
since November 24, 2017. In power since independence, April 17, 1980 ** Presidential election, 2018: Emmerson Mnangagwa (ZANU-PF) 50.8% ** House of Assembly election, 2018: ZANU-PF 179 of 270 elective seats ** Senate election, 2018: ZANU-PF 43.8% and won 34 of 80 elective seats


Americas

* ** The Barbuda People's Movement has ruled the island of Barbuda since 1979, and has won every election for the island's seat in the national House of Representatives except for the
2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight ...
and
2009 File:2009 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The vertical stabilizer of Air France Flight 447 is pulled out from the Atlantic Ocean; Barack Obama becomes the first African American to become President of the United States; Protests ...
elections. * ** The
Justicialist Party The Justicialist Party ( es, Partido Justicialista, ; abbr. PJ) is a major political party in Argentina, and the largest branch within Peronism. Current president Alberto Fernández belongs to the Justicialist Party (and has, since 2021, serve ...
has won every gubernatorial election since 1973 in the provinces of
Formosa Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is an island country located in East Asia. The main island of Taiwan, formerly known in the Western political circles, press and literature as Formosa, makes up 99% of the land area of the territori ...
,
La Pampa La Pampa () is a sparsely populated province of Argentina, located in the Pampas in the center of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise San Luis, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, Río Negro, Neuquén and Mendoza. History ...
, San Luis, Santa Cruz and La Rioja. ** The Neuquén People's Movement has won every gubernatorial election since 1962 in the province of Neuquén * ** Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) from 2006 to 2019 and came back to power in 2020. ** 2020 Bolivian general election:
Luis Arce Luis Alberto Arce Catacora (; born 28 September 1963), often referred to as Lucho, is a Bolivian banker, economist, and politician serving as the 67th president of Bolivia since 2020. A member of the Movement for Socialism, he previously serv ...
: 55.10%, won 75 chamber seats and 21 senate seats * **: has been dominated by the
Brazilian Social Democracy Party The Brazilian Social Democracy Party ( pt, Partido da Social Democracia Brasileira, PSDB), also known as the Brazilian Social Democratic Party or the Party of Brazilian Social Democracy,. is a political party in Brazil. As the third largest par ...
since 1994. **: the Workers' Party has won every gubernatorial election since 2006. * ** :
Johnny Araya Johnny Francisco Araya Monge (born 29 April 1957) is a Costa Rican politician. He was the mayor of the country's capital San José from 1998 to 2001 and again since 2003. He was also the co-president of the United Cities and Local Governments ...
is the
Mayor of San Jose The Mayor of San Jose, officially the Mayor of the City of San José, is executive of the Government of the City of San Jose, California in the United States. The mayor presides over the San Jose City Council, which is composed of 11 voting ...
since 1998 and is a member of the National Liberation Party. Araya only resign his office for a short period of time to be presidential candidate in the
2014 Costa Rican general election General elections were held in Costa Rica on Sunday, 2 February 2014 to elect a new president, two vice presidents, and 57 Legislative Assembly lawmakers. In accordance with Article 132 of the constitution, incumbent President Laura Chinchill ...
and was reelected back to mayor in the following
2016 San José mayoral election Mayoral and municipal elections were held in San Jose, Costa Rica, on 7 February 2016 and were the method by which the citizens of the canton of San José elected the mayor, deputy mayors, syndics, aldermen and district councilors of the capital ...
although using a local party as he was temporarily banned from PLN, he returned to PLN soon after the election. **
Curridabat Curridabat is a district of the Curridabat canton, in the San José province of Costa Rica. Geography Curridabat has an area of km2 and an elevation of metres. It is situated on the eastern border of the San José capital city, north of ...
: 21st Century Curridabat has elected all
Curridabat Curridabat is a district of the Curridabat canton, in the San José province of Costa Rica. Geography Curridabat has an area of km2 and an elevation of metres. It is situated on the eastern border of the San José capital city, north of ...
mayors since direct mayor elections exist in Costa Rica in
2002 File:2002 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 2002 Winter Olympics are held in Salt Lake City; Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and her daughter Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon die; East Timor gains East Timor independence, indepe ...
. * ** Dominica Labour Party: Led by Roosevelt Skerrit and
Charles Savarin Charles Angelo Savarin (born 2 October 1943) is a politician from Dominica who has been President of Dominica since 2013. He is a member of the Dominica Labour Party and served for a time as Minister for National Security, Immigration, Labour ...
** In power since 2000 ** 2019 Dominican general election: 58.95% and won 18 of 21 seats * ** The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) has won every gubernatorial election in the states of Coahuila, Colima,
Campeche Campeche (; yua, Kaampech ), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Campeche ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Campeche), is one of the 31 states which make up the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Located in southeast Mexico, it is bordered by ...
, Hidalgo and the State of Mexico since its foundation in 1929. ** The National Action Party (PAN) has dominated politics in the state of
Guanajuato Guanajuato (), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Guanajuato ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Guanajuato), is one of the 32 states that make up the Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 46 municipalities and its capital city i ...
since 1991, winning every gubernatorial election since 1995. * **
FSLN The Sandinista National Liberation Front ( es, Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional, FSLN) is a socialist political party in Nicaragua. Its members are called Sandinistas () in both English and Spanish. The party is named after Augusto C� ...
: Led by
Daniel Ortega José Daniel Ortega Saavedra (; born 11 November 1945) is a Nicaraguan revolutionary and politician serving as President of Nicaragua since 2007. Previously he was leader of Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990, first as coordinator of the Junta of Na ...
. Presidency since 2007 (and 1979–1990) mayor of every major city, including
Managua ) , settlement_type = Capital city , motto = , image_map = , mapsize = , map_caption = , pushpin_map = Nicar ...
, majorities in most departments. ** Local elections, 2012: 75.7% and 127 of 153 seats ** General election, 2016: Daniel Ortega 72.5% ** National election, 2016: 66.8% ** Constituency election, 2016: 65.7% ** Central American Parliament, 2016: 68.6% * ** Unity Labor Party: Led by Prime Minister
Ralph Gonsalves Ralph Everard Gonsalves (born 8 August 1946) is a Vincentian politician. He is currently the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and leader of the Unity Labour Party (ULP).
. **In power since 2001 **
2020 Vincentian general election General elections were held in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 5 November 2020. Nomination day was 20 October 2020. The result was a victory for the Unity Labour Party, its fifth in a row; the party won nine of the fifteen seats, gaining one ...
: 49.6% (lost popular vote) and won 9 of 15 seats. * ** United Socialist Party of Venezuela led Great Patriotic Pole: In power since 1999, led by Hugo Chavez, then
Nicolás Maduro Nicolás Maduro Moros (; born 23 November 1962) is a Venezuelan politician and president of Venezuela since 2013, with his presidency under dispute since 2019. Beginning his working life as a bus driver, Maduro rose to become a trade union ...
**
2017 Venezuelan Constituent Assembly election Constituent Assembly elections were held in Venezuela on 30 July 2017 to elect the members of the 2017 Constituent National Assembly ( es, Asamblea Nacional Constituyente; ANC). Unlike the 1999 Constituent National Assembly, which was assembled f ...
: won 538 of 545 seats **
2017 Venezuelan regional elections Regional elections were held in Venezuela on 15 October 2017 to elect the executive position of all 23 federal entities. This marked the first state executive election not held on the same date as elections for state legislatures, and the second ...
: 52.7% **
2017 Venezuelan municipal elections The Venezuelan municipal elections of 2017 were held on 10 December 2017, to elect 335 mayors throughout Venezuela, as well as the governor of the state of Zulia. This was the first municipal election held since 2013, when elections were delayed ...
: GPP 71.31% and won 306 of 365 seats **
2018 Venezuelan presidential election Presidential elections were held in Venezuela on 20 May 2018, with incumbent Nicolás Maduro being declared re-elected for a second six-year term. The original electoral date was scheduled for December 2018 but was subsequently pulled ahead t ...
: Nicolás Maduro 67.8% ** 2020 Venezuelan parliamentary election: GPP claimed 70% of the seats. **As of 2021, legislative, judiciary and executive are ''de facto'' controlled by Maduro's party


Canada

Canada's lower house, the House of Commons of the
Parliament of Canada The Parliament of Canada (french: Parlement du Canada) is the federal legislature of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and is composed of three parts: the King, the Senate, and the House of Commons. By constitutional convention, ...
, is a multi-party system. Multiple political parties are represented; however, every federal election since
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
has seen in essence only two federal parties win enough seats to form a government: the Liberal Party, and various iterations of a conservative party including the now defunct
Progressive Conservative Party of Canada The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada (PC; french: Parti progressiste-conservateur du Canada) was a centre-right federal political party in Canada that existed from 1942 to 2003. From Canadian Confederation in 1867 until 1942, the ...
and the modern
Conservative Party The Conservative Party is a name used by many political parties around the world. These political parties are generally right-wing though their exact ideologies can range from center-right to far-right. Political parties called The Conservative P ...
, which governed from 2006 to 2015. With the emergence and strengthening of regional, and other non-traditional parties such as the
Bloc Québécois The Bloc Québécois (BQ; , " Quebecer Bloc") is a federal political party in Canada devoted to Quebec nationalism and the promotion of Quebec sovereignty. The Bloc was formed by Members of Parliament (MPs) who defected from the federal Prog ...
following the Meech Lake Accord and the
New Democratic Party The New Democratic Party (NDP; french: Nouveau Parti démocratique, NPD) is a federal political party in Canada. Widely described as social democratic,The party is widely described as social democratic: * * * * * * * * * * * * ...
, which have both served as the Official Opposition, both the Liberal and Conservative Party have relied on unofficial support from these smaller parties when in
minority governments A minority government, minority cabinet, minority administration, or a minority parliament is a government and cabinet formed in a parliamentary system when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in ...
. The
Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada (french: Parti libéral du Canada, region=CA) is a federal political party in Canada. The party espouses the principles of liberalism,McCall, Christina; Stephen Clarkson"Liberal Party". ''The Canadian Encyclopedia' ...
has nonetheless been dominant in federal politics of Canada since its founding. So much so, that critics and academics alike have sometimes described the Liberal Party as "Canada's natural governing party". , the
Liberal Party of Canada The Liberal Party of Canada (french: Parti libéral du Canada, region=CA) is a federal political party in Canada. The party espouses the principles of liberalism,McCall, Christina; Stephen Clarkson"Liberal Party". ''The Canadian Encyclopedia' ...
had governed for 86 of the past 126 years. Canada's 23rd prime minister,
Justin Trudeau Justin Pierre James Trudeau ( , ; born December 25, 1971) is a Canadian politician who is the 23rd and current prime minister of Canada. He has served as the prime minister of Canada since 2015 and as the leader of the Liberal Party since ...
, is the 13th Liberal to serve as prime minister. The party ruled between 1896 to 1911, from 1921 to 1930 (except a few months), from 1935 to 1957, from 1963 to 1984 (except for a brief period from 1979 to 1980) and 1993 to 2006. In early 2006, the newly formed
Conservative Party of Canada The Conservative Party of Canada (french: Parti conservateur du Canada), colloquially known as the Tories, is a federal political party in Canada. It was formed in 2003 by the merger of the two main right-leaning parties, the Progressive Co ...
were elected, governing until 2015. After a nearly a decade in opposition, the Liberals returned to power following the 2015 election and were subsequently re-elected as minority governments in the 2019 election and the 2021 election. At the provincial level, dominant party systems were once common with single party governments holding power for decades in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. However, at present (2022) only the Province of Saskatchewan could be described as having a dominant party system. * has seen the centre-right Saskatchewan Party win four consecutive elections in 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2020; with a majority government secured for the party in each of them. The Saskatchewan Party won 48 of the 61 seats in the 2020 election. Prior to the emergence of the Saskatchewan Party, the province's politics were dominated by the left-leaning, social democratic
Saskatchewan NDP The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) is a social-democratic political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It currently forms the official opposition, but has been a dominant force in Saskatchewan politics since the 1940s. Th ...
(and its predecessor the
CCF CCF can refer to: Computing * Confidential Consortium Framework, a free and open source blockchain infrastructure framework developed by Microsoft * Customer Care Framework, a Microsoft product Finance * Credit conversion factor converts the am ...
), which governed from 1944-1964, 1971-1982 and 1991-2007. The Saskatchewan NDP remains the only opposition party in the Saskatchewan Legislature.


United States

As a whole, the US has a
two-party system A two-party system is a political party system in which two major political parties consistently dominate the political landscape. At any point in time, one of the two parties typically holds a majority in the legislature and is usually refe ...
, with the main parties since the mid-19th century being Democratic Party and the
Republican Party Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, though the term most commonly refers to the United States' Republican Party. Republican Party may also refer to: Africa * Republican Party (Liberia) *Republican Party ...
. However, some states and cities have been dominated by one of these parties for up to several decades, and during the 20th century, Democrats dominated
Congress A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of ...
for 60 years. Some parts of the US have differing party systems and third-party representation. Most notably the two main parties in
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (; abbreviated PR; tnq, Boriken, ''Borinquen''), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( es, link=yes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit=Free Associated State of Puerto Rico), is a Caribbean island and unincorporated ...
(home to 3 million Americans) are the New Progressive Party and the Popular Democratic Party, with 3 minor parties represented after the 2020 election. Dominant-party systems can also exist on
Indian reservation An Indian reservation is an area of land held and governed by a federally recognized Native American tribal nation whose government is accountable to the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs and not to the state government in which it ...
s. The Seneca Nation of Indians, a tribe with territory within the bounds of the State of New York, has had the Seneca Party as the dominant party in its political system for several decades.


= Congress

= For 62 years from 1933 until 1995, the
United States Congress The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is Bicameralism, bicameral, composed of a lower body, the United States House of Representatives, House of Representatives, and an upper body, ...
was dominated by the Democratic Party. During this period, Republicans only held a majority in the House of Representatives for a total of 4 years: 1947–49 and 1953–55. In the Senate, Republicans held a majority for a total of 10 years: 1947–49, 1953–55 and 1981–87. This was largely due to the enduring popularity of the
New Deal The New Deal was a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the United States between 1933 and 1939. Major federal programs agencies included the Civilian Con ...
introduced by the Democratic Party during the
Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
, and supported by the New Deal Coalition – a broad coalition of many different types of voters who all supported the Democratic Party's economic policies. The New Deal Coalition fractured in the mid-1960s and by the mid-1990s the Democrats had lost control of Congress in the " Republican Revolution." Gerrymandering has also been a feature of politics for the House of Representatives, allowing parties to sometimes retain or gain a majority of seats, even when losing the popular vote nationally. Following the 2020 elections, Democrats retained their majority in the House, although with reduced seats. After winning two runoff elections in the
state of Georgia Georgia is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee and North Carolina; to the northeast by South Carolina; to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean; to the south by Florida; and to the west ...
they got an effective 50/50 tie in the Senate (counting two independents who caucus with the Democrats). This meant the
Vice President A vice president, also director in British English, is an officer in government or business who is below the president (chief executive officer) in rank. It can also refer to executive vice presidents, signifying that the vice president is on ...
( Kamala Harris, a Democrat) was allowed to cast a vote as a
tie-breaker In games and sports, a tiebreaker or tiebreak is used to determine a winner from among players or teams that are tied at the end of a contest, or a set of contests. General operation In matches In some situations, the tiebreaker may consi ...
, in the event of a 50–50 tie.


= Presidency

= No party has dominated the
Presidency A presidency is an administration or the executive, the collective administrative and governmental entity that exists around an office of president of a state or nation. Although often the executive branch of government, and often personified by ...
since the end of the First Party System in the 1820s. The
Democratic-Republican The Democratic-Republican Party, known at the time as the Republican Party and also referred to as the Jeffersonian Republican Party among other names, was an American political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the early ...
party controlled the Presidency for the longest period (24 years from 1801 until it splintered during and after the election of 1824), and its
presidential candidate A candidate, or nominee, is the prospective recipient of an award or honor, or a person seeking or being considered for some kind of position; for example: * to be elected to an office — in this case a candidate selection procedure occurs. * t ...
faced no organized opposition in 1820. Since then no party has had their candidates control the Presidency for more than 20 years in a row (the Democratic Party from 1933 to 1953), and since 1953 no party has controlled the presidency for more than 12 years in a row (the
Republican Party Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, though the term most commonly refers to the United States' Republican Party. Republican Party may also refer to: Africa * Republican Party (Liberia) *Republican Party ...
from 1981 to 1993). The longest-serving President was Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt who served three consecutive terms from 1933 to 1945. Roosevelt was elected to a fourth term but died two months after inauguration. In 1951, the U.S. ratified the 22nd Amendment which limits a person to two full terms as President, but does not prevent candidates from one party from dominating the Presidency by winning consecutive elections. The US uses an Electoral College system to elect its President, where votes in low population states have more weight. As a result, it's possible to win the Presidential election while another candidate wins more votes, nationally. In 1876, 1888, 2000 and 2016, a Republican candidate won the election and became President, while a Democrat received more votes.


= Southern United States

= Historically, the
Southern United States The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, or simply the South) is a geographic and cultural region of the United States of America. It is between the Atlantic Ocean ...
was dominated by the Democratic Party, and in particular sub-factions called the
Southern Democrats Southern Democrats, historically sometimes known colloquially as Dixiecrats, are members of the U.S. Democratic Party who reside in the Southern United States. Southern Democrats were generally much more conservative than Northern Democrats wi ...
and Solid South. This began prior to the
American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and t ...
but was especially from the end of the Reconstruction Era in 1877 to the election of Republican President Herbert Hoover in 1928 United States presidential election, 1928, who won five of the eleven former Confederate States of America, Confederate states. Southern Democrats originally supported the slavery in the United States, enslavement of African Americans, then after the
American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and t ...
and Reconstruction, supported Jim Crow laws designed to heavily oppress and politically disenfranchise millions of black Americans. In the 1960s, northern Democrats, including Southern Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson and his predecessor John F. Kennedy, supported the civil rights movement in the United States, civil rights movement and passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act, which alienated the Southern Democrats. Later, the Republican Party developed a southern strategy to gain support among the newly disaffected Southern voters, by appealing to conservative cultural values, such as opposition to abortion. This led to the South eventually becoming dominated overall by the Republican Party, although intra-state politics remain dominated by the Democratic Party well into the 2000's and even former segregationists such as Robert Byrd were elected to the U.S. Senate from that party.


= Urban-rural divide

= In the 21st century, there is increasingly an urban-rural split where large urban areas tend to be dominated by Democrats and rural areas tend to be dominated by Republicans. This tends to hold true despite the overall leanings of the state or territory. That is, rural areas tend to vote Republican even in otherwise Democrat-dominated states, while urban areas tend to vote Democrat even in Republican-dominated states. This trend is increasing over time, with rural areas growing more heavily Republican, and inner city areas growing more heavily Democratic.


= Red and blue states

= Some states have been dominated by a single party for a long period of time. States which have a long record of being dominated by one party are often called red and blue states, red or blue states, after the colour representing their dominant party (red for Republicans, blue for Democrats). Some states lie in the middle, not being heavily dominated by either party. States where elections are especially close, are often termed "purple." Following the 2018 United States elections, 2018 and 2020 elections, the Republican Party continued to hold a majority of State legislature (United States), state legislatures and a majority of Governor (United States), governorships. Dominated by the Democratic Party: * had Republican governors as late as 2011 (except 1975–1983 and 1999–2003) but has voted for Democrats in national races and has a legislature dominated by the Democrats since the 1990s. Due to the top two primary election, many statewide and local races are contested by two members of the Democratic Party in the general election. State Legislatures are controlled by the Democrats since 1970 (except 1994–1996). ** United States presidential election in California, 2016, United States presidential election, 2016: Hillary Clinton (Democratic) 61.73% and won 55 electoral votes ** United States Senate election in California, 2016, United States Senate election, 2016: Democrats 61.6% ** 2016 California State Assembly election, State Assembly election, 2016: Democrats 61.08% and won 55 of 80 seats ** United States House of Representatives elections in California, 2016, United States House of Representatives elections Democrats 63.91% and won 39 of 53 seats * has been continuously governed by Democrats since the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, Home Rule Act of 1973 was passed. * has been dominated by Democrats since the Hawaii Democratic Revolution of 1954, Democratic Revolution of 1954. Beforehand, the then-Territory of Hawaii was dominated by Republicans and a Big Five (Hawaii), sugar oligarchy. * has an Political party strength in New York, overwhelmingly Democratic population. Democrats have controlled all statewide offices since 2006 (not counting the governor, George Pataki, a Republican was last elected statewide in 2002). * , while once a heavily Republican state, has had only one Republican governor since 1975, has voted Democrat in every Presidential election since 1988 United States presidential election, 1988, and had no Republican statewide elected officials from 2002 until the election of Dennis Richardson (politician), Dennis Richardson as Oregon Secretary of State in 2016. Dominated by the Republican Party: * : Political party strength in Alabama, dominated by Republicans since the mid-1990s. * has been Political party strength in Idaho, dominated by Republicans for most of its existence, with no Democratic governors since 1994 and only two years in which the State Senate was tied evenly since 1960. * : Political party strength in Mississippi, dominated by Republicans since the mid-1990s. * : Political party strength in South Carolina, dominated by Republicans since the mid-1990s. * has been Political party strength in South Dakota, dominated by Republicans for most of its existence, aside from a few Democratic and Populist governments and coalitions with Republicans, with only three elected high officials and two years of State Senate dominance since 1979. * has been Political party strength in Utah, dominated by Republicans for most of its existence, except for Democratic dominance during the Fifth Party System and between 1917 and 1920, the 1890s, and between 1959 and 1984. * has been Political party strength in Wyoming, dominated by Republicans for most of its existence, with only four years where a house of the legislature has been Democratic since 1939, and mostly Republican governors during that period.


Asia and Oceania

* ** : The Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division), Liberal Party has held power for eleven years as of 2022. * ** Awami League (AL): Led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in office since 6 January 2009; In power since 2008 ** 2018 Bangladeshi general election: 81.93% and 259 of 300 seats * ** Cambodian People's Party (CPP): Led by Prime Minister Hun Sen, in office since 14 January 1985 ** In power since 1993 (sole legal party 1979–1992) ** 2017 Cambodian communal elections: 50.76% and 6,503 of 11,572 councillors ** 2018 Cambodian Senate election: 95.95% and 58 of 58 seats ** 2018 Cambodian general election: 76.85% and 125 of 125 seats * ** Chinese Communist Party (CCP): Led by General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, CCP General Secretary and Paramount leader Xi Jinping, in office since November 15, 2012 ** In power since 1949 (sole ruling party from 1954) ** 13th National People's Congress, Congressional election, 2017–18: 70.0% and 2,119 of 2,980 Seats ** List of political parties in China, Eight other parties are legally permitted with the CCP as the United Front (China), United Front as the PRC ruled as a
one-party state A one-party state, single-party state, one-party system, or single-party system is a type of sovereign state in which only one political party has the right to form the government, usually based on the existing constitution. All other partie ...
. * ** Gujarat: Since 1998, the Bharatiya Janata Party has consecutively ruled the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, state legislature of Gujarat. **Odisha: Since 2000, the Biju Janata Dal has dominated the Odisha Legislative Assembly, state legislature of Odisha without interruption. * ** : Dominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle since 2003 ** Depok City: Led by Prosperous Justice Party politicians since 2005 ** : The Prosperous Justice Party won every gubernatorial elections in 2010, 2015 West Sumatra gubernatorial election, 2015 and 2020 West Sumatra gubernatorial election, 2020 * ** : Led by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) under various coalitions (Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah, Barisan Alternatif, Pakatan Rakyat, Gagasan Sejahtera, Perikatan Nasional) since 1990. PAS also lead the state government as a single party from 1955 to 1973 and as a component party of Barisan Nasional from 1973 to 1978, when they were expelled from BN in the aftermath of the 1977 Kelantan Emergency. ** : Led by Barisan Nasional and its predecessor, Alliance Party (Malaysia), Perikatan since 1955. Currently lead a coalition government with Pakatan Harapan after the 2022 Pahang state election. ** : Led by Pakatan Harapan and its predecessor, Pakatan Rakyat since 2008 ** : Led by Gabungan Parti Sarawak and its predecessors (BN Sarawak, Sarawak Alliance) since independence (1963) ** : Led by Pakatan Harapan and its predecessor, Pakatan Rakyat since 2008 * ** Liberal Democratic Party (Japan), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP): Led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, in office since 4 October 2021 ** In power 1955 System, 1955–1993, 1994–2009 and since 2012 (governed in coalition with Komeito since 1999) Was also briefly out of power in 1993 due to an oppositional coalition. ** 2017 Japanese general election, Parliamentary election 2017: LDP 284 of 465 seats (Governing coalition 313 of 465 seats). * ** Palestinian National Authority, West Bank Government (Fatah): Led by President Mahmoud Abbas, in office since 15 January 2005 (as Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, PLO since 26 October 2004) *** Oslo Accords, In power since 1994 *** 2005 Palestinian presidential election: Mahmoud Abbas 62.52% ** Governance of the Gaza Strip, Gaza Strip Government (Hamas): Led by Chairman of the Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh, in office since 6 May 2017 (as Prime Minister of the State of Palestine, Prime Minister from 29 March 2006, to 2 June 2014) *** Battle of Gaza (2007), In power since 2007 *** 2006 Palestinian legislative election: 74 of 132 seats and 44.45% * ** People's Action Party (PAP): Led by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in office since 12 August 2004 ** In power since 5 June 1959 ** 2020 Singaporean general election, Parliamentary election, 2020: PAP won 61.2% of the popular vote and 83 out of 93 seats ** 2017 Singaporean presidential election, Presidential election, 2017: Former PAP member Halimah Yacob won (sole candidate) * ** National Progressive Front (Syria), National Progressive Front (NPF), a coalition of 10 parties led by the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Syria Region (Baath Party): Led by President Bashar al-Assad, in office since 17 July 2000 ** In power since 8 March 1963 ** 2021 Syrian presidential election, Presidential election, 2021: Bashar al-Assad 95.1% ** 2020 Syrian parliamentary election, Parliamentary election, 2020: Baath Party won 167 of 250 seats (National Progressive Front 183 of 250) * ** People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan is headed by President Emomalii Rahmon: In power since 1994 ** 2013 Tajik presidential election, Presidential election in 2013 won by Emomali Rahmon 83.92%. ** Since the 2020 Tajik parliamentary election, Parliamentary election in 2020 holds 47 seats in Supreme Assembly (Tajikistan), Assembly of Representatives * ** Democratic Party of Turkmenistan is headed by Kasymguly Babaev since August 18, 2013 ** 2017 Turkmenistani presidential election, Presidential election in 2017 won by Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow 97.69% ** 2018 Turkmen parliamentary election, Parliamentary election, 2018: 55 of 125 seats in the Assembly of Turkmenistan ** In power since independence in 1990 ** Sole legal party until 2012


Eurasia

* ** New Azerbaijan Party (YAP) has been in power essentially continuously since 1993. ** 2020 Azerbaijani parliamentary election, Parliamentary election, 2020: 72 of 125 seats ** 2018 Azerbaijani presidential election, Presidential election, 2018: Ilham Aliyev 86.02% * ** Nur Otan ** 2016 Kazakh legislative election, Parliamentary election in 2016: 82.20% and 84 of 107 seats in the Majilis ** 2022 Kazakh presidential election, Presidential election in 2022: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev 81.31% * ** United Russia *** Led by Dmitry Medvedev (President 2008–2012, Prime Minister 2012–2020) *** In power since 2003 *** 2018 Russian presidential election, Presidential election, 2018: Vladimir Putin 76.7% (endorsed by United Russia and several other parties, but ran as an independent) *** 2021 Russian legislative election, Parliamentary election, 2021: 49.82% and 324 of 450 seats *** List of heads of federal subjects of Russia, Governors: 60 of 85 * **United Ossetia ** Led by Anatoliy Bibilov ** In power since 2014 (a continuation of the governing 2001–2014 Unity Party (South Ossetia), Unity Party, now defunct) ** 2014 South Ossetian parliamentary election, Parliamentary election, 2014: 44.84% and 20 of 34 seats ** 2017 South Ossetian presidential election, Presidential election, 2017: Anatoliy Bibilov 54.80%


Europe

* ** ***Austrian People's Party: Led by Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Governor (since 2017); In power since 1945 *** 2018 Lower Austrian state election, State election, 2018: VPNÖ 49.64% and won 29 of 56 seats *** 2019 European Parliament election in Austria, European Parliament election, 2019: ÖVP 40.1% *** 2019 Austrian legislative election: ÖVP 42.3% ** *** Austrian People's Party: Led by Günther Platter, Governor (since 2008); In power since 1945 *** 2018 Tyrolean state election: TVP 44.26% *** 2019 European Parliament election in Austria, European Parliament election, 2019: ÖVP 42.6% *** 2019 Austrian legislative election: ÖVP 45.8% ** *** Social Democratic Party of Austria: Led by Michael Ludwig, List of mayors of Vienna, Mayor (since 2018); In power since 1945 *** State election, 2015: SPÖ 39.59% *** 2019 Austrian legislative election: SPÖ 27.1% *** 2019 European Parliament election in Austria, European Parliament election, 2019: SPÖ 30.3% ** *** Austrian People's Party: Led by Markus Wallner, Governor (since 2011); In power since 1945 *** 2019 European Parliament election in Austria, European Parliament election, 2019: ÖVP 34.6% *** 2019 Austrian legislative election: ÖVP 36.6% *** State election, 2019: VVP 43.53% ** *** Austrian People's Party: Led by Thomas Stelzer (born 1967), Thomas Stelzer, Governor (since 2017); In power since 1945 *** State election, 2015: OÖVP 36.37% *** 2019 Austrian legislative election: ÖVP 36.8% *** 2019 European Parliament election in Austria, European Parliament election, 2019: ÖVP 35.1% * ** ***Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU): Led by Markus Söder, List of Ministers-President of Bavaria, Minister-President (since 2018); In power since 1946, with a sole hiatus from 1954 to 1957. From 1966 to 2003 and 2013 to 2018, CSU ruled with an absolute majority. Its share of votes peaked in 1974 at 62%. From 2003 to 2008, CSU held a two-thirds supermajority in the Bavarian Landtag. Since the 2010s, the CSU's dominance has somewhat eroded (31.7% in the 2021 German federal election; 37.2% in the 2018 Bavarian state election), but it is still considered impossible to form a government led by another party in Bavaria. ** *** Christian Democratic Union of Germany, Christian Democratic Union (CDU): In power since the establishment of the state in 1990. CDU ruled with an absolute majority until 2004, and even a two-thirds supermajority in the Landtag from 1994 to 2004. Its popularity peaked at 56.9% in the 1999 election. In the 2010s, CDU's dominance eroded significantly. In the 2017 German federal election, Saxony's CDU came in second place for the first time in the history of the state, reaching 26.9%, behind the far-right Alternative für Deutschland. Due to the irreconcilability of left-wing and right-wing opposition parties, it is still considered impossible to form a state government led by another party than CDU. * ** Fidesz–KDNP: In power since 2010 (won in the 2009 European Parliament election in Hungary, European Parliament election, 2009: 14 of 22 of seats for Hungary) ** Led by Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, Prime Minister (since 2010) ** 2022 Hungarian parliamentary election: 54.13% and qualified majority, 135 of 199 seats ** 2019 European Parliament election in Hungary, European Parliament election, 2019: 52.56% and 13 of 21 of seats for Hungary * ** *** Democratic Party (Italy), Democratic Party: In power since 2007 *** 2020 Emilia-Romagna regional election, Regional election, 2020: PD 34.7% and 23 of 50 seats *** 2019 European Parliament election in Italy, European Parliament election, 2019: PD 31.2% *** 2022 Italian general election, Chamber of Deputies, 2022: PD 28.1% ** *** Centre-right coalition (Italy), Centre-right coalition: In power since 1994; Came in second place in Lombardy to the Democratic Party (Italy), Democratic Party in the 2014 European Parliament election in Lombardy, European Parliament election, 2014: FI+LN+FdI 34.3% *** 2018 Lombard regional election, Regional election, 2018: CDX 51.23% and won 49 of 80 seats *** Presidential election, 2018: Attilio Fontana 49.7% *** 2018 Italian general election, Chamber of Deputies election, 2018: CDX 46.9% *** Senate election, 2018: CDX 47.2% ** *** Democratic Party (Italy), Democratic Party: In power since 2007 *** 2015 Tuscan regional election, Regional election, 2015: PD 48.1% and 25 of 41 seats *** 2014 European Parliament election in Italy, European Parliament election, 2014: PD 52.5% *** 2018 Italian general election, Chamber of Deputies election, 2018: PD 29.6% *** Senate election, 2018: PD 30.5% ** *** South Tyrolean People's Party: In power since 1948 (The Deutscher Verband, German Association dominated from 1921 and before that it was part of Tyrol) *** 1924 Italian general election: Deutscher Verband, German Association, part of Lists of Slavs and Germans 80% *** 2013 Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol provincial elections#South Tyrol, Provincial elections, 2013: SVP 45.7% and 17 of 35 seats *** 2014 European Parliament election in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, European Parliament election, 2014: SVP 48.0% *** Italian general election, 2018 (Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol), Chamber of Deputies election, 2018: SVP 48.8% *** Senate election, 2018: SVP 49.8% ** *** Centre-right coalition (Italy), Centre-right coalition: In power since 1994 *** Came in second place in Veneto to the Democratic Party (Italy), Democratic Party in the 2014 European Parliament election in Lombardy, European Parliament election, 2014: FI+LN+FdI 33.2% *** 2015 Venetian regional election, Regional election, 2015: CDX 52.2% and won 29 of 51 seats *** Presidential election, 2015: Luca Zaia 50.1% *** Italian general election, 2018 (Veneto), Chamber of Deputies election, 2018: CDX 48.1% *** Senate election, 2018: CDX 48.2% * ** *** Political status of Transnistria, Self-declared state *** Obnovlenie: In power since 2005 *** 2020 Transnistrian parliamentary election, Parliamentary election, 2020: Renewal 27.79% and 29 of 33 seats *** 2016 Transnistrian presidential election, Presidential election, 2016: Vadim Krasnoselsky, as independent candidate, 59.16% * (Poland A and B) ** Law and Justice: Dominates in Southeast Poland, controls the President of Poland, Presidency, Sejm (since 2015), and Government of Poland, government ** Civic Platform: Dominates in Warsaw and Northwest Poland * **Socialist Party: In power since 1995 with exception between 2002 to 2005 and 2011 to 2015 ** : the Social Democratic Party (Portugal), Social Democratic Party has dominated political life in the Administrative divisions of Portugal#Autonomous regions, autonomous region of Madeira since the first regional elections, in 1976. Alberto João Jardim served as Presidents of the Regional Government of Madeira, President of the Regional Government uninterruptedly from 1978 to 2015. *** 2013 Portuguese local elections, Local elections, 2013: SDP 34.81% *** 2014 European Parliament election in Portugal, European Parliament election, 2014 (in Madeira): SDP 31.0% *** 2015 Madeira regional election, Regional election, 2015: SDP 48.56% and 25 of 47 seats *** 2015 Portuguese legislative election (in Madeira): SDP 37.8% and 3 of 6 seats * ** The Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party (PDCS) have always had a plurality of seats in the Grand and General Council since 1951, However it has not consistently formed the government. From 2016 to 2020 it was in opposition. The predecessor of the PDCS the Sammarinese People's Party was already biggest party in 1920 Sammarinese general election, 1920. ** 2019 Sammarinese general election, General election, 2019. PDCS 33.35% * ** Serbian Progressive Party: In power since 2012 ** Led by Aleksandar Vučić, two-term Prime Minister of Serbia, Prime Minister (2014–2017) and President of Serbia, President (2017–present) ** 2020 Serbian parliamentary election, Parliamentary election, 2020: SNS 60.65% and 188 of 250 seats ** 2020 Vojvodina provincial election: SNS 61.58% and 76 of 120 ** 2017 Serbian presidential election, Presidential election, 2017: Aleksandar Vučić, 55.06% * ** *** Basque Nationalist Party, in power in the Basque Government from 1979 to 2009, and again since 2012. *** 2020 Basque regional election, Basque election, 2020: PNV 38.7%, 31 of 75 seats. *** Results breakdown of the November 2019 Spanish general election (Congress)#Basque Country, Spanish Parliament election, November 2019: PNV 32.0%, 6 of 18 seats. ** *** Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, in power in the Regional Government of Castile-La Mancha, Castilian-Manchegan Government from 1982 to 2011, and again since 2015. *** 2019 Castilian-Manchegan regional election, Castilian-Manchegan election, 2019: PSOE 44.1%, 19 of 33 seats. *** Results breakdown of the November 2019 Spanish general election (Congress)#Castilla–La Mancha, Spanish Parliament election, November 2019: PSOE 33.1%, 9 of 21 seats. ** *** People's Party (Spain), People's Party, in power in the junta of Castile and León, Castile and León Government continuously since 1987. *** 2022 Castilian-Leonese regional election, Castilian-Leonese election, 2022: PP 31.4%, 31 of 81 seats. *** Results breakdown of the November 2019 Spanish general election (Congress)#Castile and León, Spanish Parliament election, November 2019: PP 31.6%, 13 of 31 seats. ** *** People's Party (Spain), People's Party, in power in the Government of the Community of Madrid continuously since 1995. *** 2021 Madrilenian regional election, Madrilenian election, 2021: PP 44.8%, 65 of 136 seats. *** Results breakdown of the November 2019 Spanish general election (Congress)#Madrid, Spanish Parliament election, November 2019: PP 26.9%, 10 of 37 seats. ** *** Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, in power in the junta of Extremadura, Extremaduran Government from 1983 to 2011, and again since 2015. *** 2019 Extremaduran regional election, Extremaduran election, 2019: PSOE 46.8%, 34 of 65 seats. *** Results breakdown of the November 2019 Spanish general election (Congress)#Extremadura, Spanish Parliament election, November 2019: PSOE 38.3%, 5 of 10 seats. ** *** People's Party (Spain), People's Party, in power in the Xunta de Galicia, Galician Government from 1982 to 1987, from 1990 to 2005, and again since 2009. *** 2020 Galician regional election, Galician election, 2020: PP 47.6%, 41 of 75 seats. *** Results breakdown of the November 2019 Spanish general election (Congress)#Galicia, Spanish Parliament election, November 2019: PP 31.9%, 10 of 23 seats. * : *** Conservative Party (UK), Conservative Party *** Governing party in the Parliament of the United Kingdom for most of the 20th century and in government since 2010 United Kingdom general election, 2010. ** : *** Scottish National Party *** Has been the largest party in the Scottish Parliament since 2007 Scottish Parliament election, 2007. It has also won the majority of seats to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, House of Commons in Scotland in every election since 2015 United Kingdom general election in Scotland, 2015. ** : *** Welsh Labour *** Has won the majority of seats to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, House of Commons in Wales in every election since 1922 United Kingdom general election, 1922. It has also been the largest party in the Senedd (formerly known as the National Assembly for Wales, until 2020) since its inception in 1999 Welsh Assembly election, 1999.


Formerly dominant parties


North America

*: **: The British Columbia Social Credit Party, Social Credit Party held power for all but 3 years between 1952 and 1991, winning 11 of the 12 elections held during this 39-year period. In 1991 the party was defeated by the centre-left British Columbia New Democratic Party, BC NDP and its role as the province's main centre-right vehicle was inherited by the BC Liberals who themselves governed from 2001-2017 before also being defeated by the NDP. **: has been home to two lengthy conservative dynasties, that of the Social Credit Party of Alberta which governed from 1935-1971 and the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta which governed from 1971-2015. In 2015 the Alberta Tories were defeated by the left-leaning New Democratic Party of Alberta, Alberta NDP in a seismic electoral upset. In turn, the province's first (and so far only) NDP government was defeated by the newly formed United Conservative Party of Alberta in 2019. **: The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) and its predecessor the Cooperation Commonwealth Federation (CCF) won 12 out of 16 elections between 1944-2007. Today, the Saskatchewan NDP is the province's only opposition party with legislative representation. **: The Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador held power from confederation in 1949 until Joey Smallwood's resignation as Premier in 1972 during the hung Parliament created by the 1971 Newfoundland general election. **: The Nova Scotia Liberal Party, in the Province of Nova Scotia, held office in an unbroken period from 1882 to 1925. During the period from 1867 to 1956, the party was in power for 76 of 89 years, most of that time with fewer than 5 opposition members. **: Ontario's party system was once a dominant party system, with the Liberal Party of Ontario being the only political party to form government from 1871 to 1905; and having won the majority of the seats available in all twelve elections from 1871 to 1902. The turn of the 20th century saw a shift in party dominance from the Liberal Party of Ontario to the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, with the latter winning 22 of the 28 elections held in the 20th century. From 1943 to 1985, the Progressive Conservatives won 13 consecutive elections, forming the provincial government for 42 years. Known as the 'Big Blue Machine,' the Progressive Conservative government was known for having Red Tory leanings particularly under Premiers Leslie Frost, John Robarts and Bill Davis. Although the Progressive Conservatives won the most seats in the 1985 election, the party was unable to form government for the first time in 42 years, with the Liberal Party forming a minority government with a confidence and supply arrangement with the Ontario New Democratic Party. The 42 year PC dynasty was followed by a decade of political upheavel in which the Liberals were defeated by the NDP in Ontario general election, 1990, 1990 which in turn was defeated by the PC Party in Ontario general election, 1995, 1995. **: The Union Nationale (Quebec), Union Nationale, in the Province of Quebec, held office uninterrupted from 1944 until 1960 with Quiet revolution. And nearly with the Quebec Liberal Party throughout province's political history with start from 1897 to 1935, then a second time in 1985 and 1989, and lastly third time in 2003 to 2018 with a short interruption of 2 years when the Parti Québécois won a minority government from 2012 to 2014. *: **The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and its predecessors (Laborist Party (Mexico), Partido Laborista Mexicano (PLM) (1920–1928), Partido Nacional Revolucionario (PNR) (1929–1938) and Partido de la Revolución Mexicana (PRM) (1938–1946)) in Mexico held the President of Mexico, presidency from 1920 Mexican general election, 1920 to 2000 Mexican general election, 2000. The party governed all States of Mexico, states until 1989 and controlled both chambers of Congress of the Union, congress until 1997. As of 2022, the PRI has continued an uninterrupted hold of the governorship in three states: Coahuila, Hidalgo and the State of Mexico. **The Liberal Party (Mexico), Liberal Party, later known as the National Porfirio Díaz, Porfirist Party, ruled consistently from 1867 to 1911. *: ** During the "Era of Good Feelings," the Democratic-Republican Party dominated national politics with no effective opposition from the Federalist Party or any third parties, allowing James Monroe to run unopposed in the 1820 United States presidential election, 1820 presidential election. This dominance continued until the rise of the American Whig Party (United States), Whig Party circa 1830. ** From 1933 to 1995, the Democratic Party held a Party divisions of United States Congresses, majority in both Houses of Congress except 1947 to 1949, 1953 to 1955 which Republicans controlled both Houses of Congress and 1981 to 1987 which Republicans controlled the Senate. ** New England: *** had mostly Republican governors from 1857 to 1997 (140 years) – Republicans held the governorship for all but 15 years (were only twice out of office for more than two consecutive years) *** had only Republican governors from 1855 to 1963 (108 years) ** Southern United States: *** Until the 1990s, the South (usually defined as coextensive with the former Confederate States of America, Confederacy) was known as the " Solid South" due to its states' reliable support of the Democratic Party, which at that time had a strong conservative wing. Several states had an unbroken succession of Democratic governors from half a century to over a century. ****, 1874–1987 (113 years) ****, 1874–1967 (93 years) ****, 1877–1967 (90 years) **** Georgia (U.S. State), Georgia, 1872–2003 (131 years) ****, 1877–1980 (103 years) ****, 1876–1992 (116 years) ****, 1901–1973 (72 years) ****, 1907–1963 (56 years) ****, 1876–1975 (99 years) ****, 1923–1971 (48 years) ****, 1874–1979 (105 years) ****, 1869–1970 (101 years)


Caribbean and Central America

*: The Antigua Labour Party in Antigua and Barbuda, 1960–1971 and 1976–2004. They are currently ruling, but may not be yet considered dominant. *: The Barbados Labour Party in the Barbados from 1994 to 2008.They are currently ruling, but may not be yet considered dominant. The Democratic Labour Party (Barbados), Democratic Labour Party from 1961 to 1976. *: The Progressive Liberal Party in the Bahamas from 1967 to 1992 *: The United Bermuda Party in Bermuda from 1968 to 1998. *: **The National Republican Party (Costa Rica), National Republican Party ruled Costa Rica between 1932 and 1948. **The National Liberation Party is often referred as the hegemonic or dominant party between 1953 and 1983 as it won most elections, it held the majority in the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, Legislative Assembly between 1953 and 1978, held consecutive governments several times and was only defeated in 1958 Costa Rican general election, 1958, 1966 Costa Rican general election, 1966 and 1978 Costa Rican general election, 1978 thanks to the entire right-wing opposition nominating a common candidate in coalition. Only after 1983 with the merge of the Unity Coalition into the Social Christian Unity Party Costa Rica started its
two-party system A two-party system is a political party system in which two major political parties consistently dominate the political landscape. At any point in time, one of the two parties typically holds a majority in the legislature and is usually refe ...
. **First Costa Rican Republic, Non-Partisan Liberals dominated Costa Rican presidency from 1846 to 1868. *: The Blue Party (Dominican Republic), Blue Party from 1879 to 1899. The Dominican Liberation Party from 2004 to 2020. *: Nationalist Republican Alliance, ARENA hold the presidency from 1989 to 2009. *: The Conservative Party (Guatemala), Conservative Party in Guatemala from 1851 and 1871. The Liberal Party (Guatemala), Liberal Party in Guatemala from 1871 and 1920, 1921 and 1926, 1931 and 1944. *: National Party of Honduras, National Party governs from 1933 to 1956, from 2010 to 2022. *: **The Partido Liberal Nacionalista of the Somoza family held effective control from the 1930s to 1979. It was never the sole legal party, but elections were often fraught with accusations of fraud and improbable results. **Conservative Party (Nicaragua), Conservative Party ruled from 1857 to 1893 *: The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico, Popular Democratic Party in
Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (; abbreviated PR; tnq, Boriken, ''Borinquen''), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( es, link=yes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit=Free Associated State of Puerto Rico), is a Caribbean island and unincorporated ...
from 1949 to 1969. *: People's National Movement ruled from 1956 to 1986.


South America

*: **The National Autonomist Party (PAN) of Argentina from 1874 to 1916. **The Federalist Party (Argentina), Federalist Party from 1829 to 1852. ***: The conservative Liberal Democratic Party ruled the province between 1922 and 1943. *: Liberal Party (Bolivia), Liberal Party ruled from 1899 to 1920. The Revolutionary Nationalist Movement (MNR) in Bolivia from 1952 to 1964. *: The National Renewal Alliance Party (ARENA) in Brazil from 1965 to 1979 *: From 1829 to 1871, a successive number of parties (Pelucones to Conservative Party (Chile), Conservative to National Party (Chile, 1857), National Party) governed Chile. From 1990 to 2010 the Concertación Coalition hold presidency. *: The Colombian Liberal Party, Liberal Party of Colombia from 1861 to 1886, and later on from 1886 to 1900 as the brief successor party National Party (Colombia), National Party, and Colombian Conservative Party from 1900 to 1930 *: Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party ruled from 1895 to 1925. PAIS Alliance ruled from 2007 to 2021. *: The People's National Congress (Guyana), People's National Congress from 1964 to 1992. The People's Progressive Party (Guyana), People's Progressive Party from 1992 to 2015. *: The Colorado Party (Paraguay), Colorado Party of Paraguay, 1880–1904 and 1948–2008. They were the sole legal party from 1947 to 1962. Liberal Party (Paraguay), Liberal Party from 1912 to 1936 *: The Colorado Party (Uruguay), Colorado Party of Uruguay, between 1865 and 1959 *: Conservative Party (Venezuela), Conservative Party ruled from 1830 to 1851. Fifth Republic Movement ruled from 1999 until its merging with the newly created United Socialist Party of Venezuela in 2007, which has been the ruling party since then.


Europe

* : The Republican Party of Armenia controlled the country from 1999 until 2018, when it lost all of its seats in parliament after the 2018 Armenian revolution and the 2018 Armenian parliamentary election, 2018 parliamentary election. *: The Austrian People's Party ruled as the dominant governing coalition leader from 1945 to 1970, and the Social Democratic Party of Austria, under a similar arrangement, from 1970 to 2000. **: The List of ministers-president of Austria, Cisleithania Minister-Presidency was dominated by the Constitutional Party (Austria), Constitutional Party from 1871 to 1893. ***: The Social Democratic Workers' Party of Austria (predecessor of the SPÖ, in power since 1945), dominated Vienna between 1911 and 1934. ***: The Christian Social Party (Austria), Christian Social Party (predecessor of the ÖVP, in power since 1945), dominated Lower Austria between 1907 and 1934. ***: The Christian Social Party (Austria), Christian Social Party (predecessor of the ÖVP), dominated Upper Austria between 1907 and 1934. ***: The Christian Social Party (Austria), Christian Social Party (predecessor of the ÖVP), dominated Vorarlberg between 1907 and 1934. ***: The Christian Social Party (Austria), Christian Social Party (predecessor of the ÖVP), dominated Tyrol between 1907 and 1934. ***: The Salzburger Volkspartei, the ÖVP and their predecessors dominated Salzburg between 1919 and 2004. ***: The Steirische Volkspartei, the ÖVP and their predecessors dominated Styria between 1907 and 2005. *: The Catholic Party (Belgium), Catholic Party sent Prime Ministers from 1884 to 1937. The Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams, Catholic People's Party sent Prime Ministers from 1979 to 1999. **: The Christian Social Party (Belgium, defunct), Christian Social Party and the Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams dominated Flanders from at least 1968 to 1999. *: GERB was the ruling party from 2009 to 2021 (with an exception from 2013 to 2014). It is the biggest Bulgarian party. *: The Croatian Democratic Union was in power from the first multi-party elections in 1990 Croatian parliamentary election, 1990, when Croatia was still a constituent republic of SFR Yugoslavia, until it lost the 2000 Croatian parliamentary election, parliamentary and 2000 Croatian presidential election, presidential elections in 2000. For most of the 1990s, the party had an absolute majority in both the Parliament of Croatia, Chamber of Representatives and the Parliament of Croatia, Chamber of Counties, while its chairman, Franjo Tuđman, was President of Croatia under a ''de facto'' superpresidential system of government until his death in 1999. *: The National Landowners (Denmark), National Landowners, and later the Højre, ruled Denmark from 1874 to 1901. *: The Agrarian League, later the Centre Party (Finland), Centre Party, dominated the Presidency under Urho Kekkonen from 1956 to 1982. *: During the tenure of Napoleon III (first as president 1848 to 1852 then as Emperor from 1852 to 1870), the Bonapartism, Bonapartists were a loose ruling political organization. Since the Fifth Republic, the main presidential parties, Les Républicains (centre-right) or the Parti Socialiste (France), Parti Socialiste (centre-left), were the biggest parties in every presidential election, until both parties lost dominance in France since 2017, as centrist politician Emmanuel Macron of En Marche became president, with French right-wing leader Marine Le Pen as the main opponent. Both parties have taken dominance since the 2017 French presidential election. *: The Union of Citizens of Georgia was the dominant political force from its establishment in 1995 to its dissolution and overthrow in 2003 in the Rose Revolution, during which the party's leader and President, Eduard Shevardnadze, was ousted. *: The Christian Democratic Union of Germany, Christian Democratic Union ruled West Germany and later a unified Germany from its establishment in 1949 to 1969, and again from 1982 to 1998 and from 2005 to 2021. **: The Christian Democratic Union of Germany ruled from 1953 to 2011 and was the biggest party until 2016 Baden-Württemberg state election, 2016 (except in Württemberg-Baden for 1950–1952), but is still the biggest party at the German federal elections and European Parliament elections. In the predecessor state of Baden, the Centre Party was the biggest party during the Weimar era until 1930. **: The Bavarian Patriot Party (until 1887), the Centre Party (Germany), Centre Party (until 1918) and the Bavarian People's Party were the biggest parties in the Bavarian Landtag from 1869 to 1933 and ruled from 1920 to 1933. ** ''(not part of Germany at the time)'': The Centre Party (Germany), Centre Party won every Landesrat election from 1922 to 1935. ** ''(not part of Germany at the time)'': The Saarland Christian People's Party held the majority from 1947 to 1955, which was broken by the similar CDU in 1955. **: The Christian Democratic Union of Germany ruled from the return of the Saar to (West) Germany in 1959 to 1980. In the Landtag elections, the CDU reached between 36.6% in 1955 and 49.1% in 1975; the CDU also dominated federal elections (except in 1972), and in the 1979 European Parliament election, the CDU/CSU won 46.4%. **: From the establishment of the state, the Christian Democratic Union of Germany ruled without interruption until 2014, with an absolute majority from 1999 to 2009. Since 2014, it has been in opposition. * **: The Deák Party (which merged with the Left Centre to form the Liberal Party (Hungary), Liberal Party in 1875) ruled Hungary from 1867 to 1905, and the National Party of Work between 1910 and 1918. **: The Unity Party (Hungary), Unity Party and the Party of National Unity (Hungary), Party of National Unity (renamed Party of Hungarian Life in 1939) governed the Kingdom of Hungary (1920–46), Kingdom of Hungary from 1922 to 1944. **: After the elected Prime Minister Ferenc Nagy was forced into exile in May 1947, the Hungarian Communist Party became the Hungary's ''de facto'' ruling party until formally declaring the country to be a Hungarian People's Republic, single-party state in August 1949. *: Ireland's Fianna Fáil was the largest party in Dáil Éireann between 1932 and 2011 and in power for 61 of those 79 years. However, the party were heavily defeated in the 2011 Irish general election, coming third. *: Italy's Christian Democracy (Italy), Christian Democracy dominated Politics of Italy, Italian politics for almost 50 years as the major party in every coalition that governed the country from 1944 until its demise amid Mani pulite, a welter of corruption allegations in 1992–1994. The main opposition to the Christian democratic governments was the Italian Communist Party. ** Emilia-Romagna: The Italian Socialist Party dominated the region from 1909 until the rise of Fascism. ** Emilia-Romagna: The Italian Communist Party dominated the region from 1946 until 1991. ** Emilia-Romagna: The Democratic Party of the Left dominated the region from 1991 until 1998. ** Emilia-Romagna: The Democrats of the Left dominated the region from 1998 until 2007. ** Tuscany: The Italian Communist Party dominated the region from 1946 until 1953, and then from 1963 until 1991. ** Tuscany: The Democratic Party of the Left dominated the region from 1991 until 1998. ** Tuscany: The Democrats of the Left dominated the region from 1998 until 2007. *: The Progressive Citizens' Party governed from 1928 to 1970. * : The Christian Social People's Party (CSV), with its predecessor, Party of the Right (Luxembourg), Party of the Right, governed Luxembourg continuously from 1915 to 2013, except for 1974–1979. However, Luxembourg has a coalition system, and the CSV has been in coalition with at least one of the other two leading parties for all but four years. It has always won a plurality of seats in parliamentary elections, although it lost the popular vote 1964 Luxembourgian legislative election, in 1964 and 1974 Luxembourgian legislative election, 1974. * : The Nationalist Party (Malta), Nationalist Party dominated the Maltese political scene from 1998 Maltese general election, 1988 to 2013, when the Labour Party (Malta), Labour Party won the government in the 2013 2013 Maltese general election, general election. *: Rally & Issues governed the National Assembly from 1962 to 2003. * : The Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro, Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) ruled Montenegro from 1990 to 2020, having been defeated in the 2020 Montenegrin parliamentary election, 2020 election. *: The Norwegian Labour Party ruled from 1935 to 1965 (including the 5 years of Nygaardsvold's Cabinet, Government-in-exile during World War II), though it has been the biggest party in Norway since 1927 and has been in power many other times. *: **The Portuguese Republican Party, during most of the Portuguese First Republic's existence (1910–1926): After the coup that put an end to Kingdom of Portugal, Portugal's constitutional monarchy in 1910, the electoral system, which had always ensured victory to the party in government, was left unchanged. Before 1910, it had been the Portuguese monarchy, reigning monarch's responsibility to ensure that no one party remain too long in government, usually by disbanding Parliament and calling for new elections. The republic's constitution added no such proviso, and the Portuguese Republican Party was able to keep the other minor republican parties (monarchic parties had been declared illegal) from winning elections. On the rare occasions when it was ousted from power, it was overthrown by force, and it was again by the means of a counter-coup that it returned to power, until its final fall, with the republic itself, in 1926. **As a Semi-presidential system, semi-presidential republic, Portugal's President of Portugal, President has significant residual power. From 1986 to 2006, the Presidency was in the hand of the Socialist Party (Portugal), Socialist Party; since 2006, the Presidents were members of the Social Democratic Party (Portugal), Social Democratic Party. * **: The PSOE-A party (the Andalusian branch of nationwide PSOE) was the ruling party in the Andalusian Autonomous Government continuously between 1978 and 2019, being also the most voted party in all elections for the Parliament of Andalusia during that interval, except one (2012 Andalusian regional election, 2012). After the 2018 Andalusian regional election, 2018 Andalusian election, a right-to-centre coalition led by the People's Party (Spain), People's Party entered office, and in 2022 Andalusian regional election, 2022 the People's Party achieved an absolute majority. **: The Convergence and Union coalition (federated political party after 2001) in Catalonia governed the Generalitat of Catalonia, autonomous Catalan government from 1980 to 2003, under the leadership of Jordi Pujol, with parliamentary absolute majority or in coalition with other smaller parties. The party later governed again from 2010 until its dissolution in 2015. **: The People's Party of the Valencian Community (the Valencian branch of nationwide People's Party (Spain), People's Party) was the ruling party in the Generalitat Valenciana, Valencian Autonomous Government between 1995 and 2015, being the most voted party in all elections for the Valencian Parliament during that interval. After the 2015 Valencian regional election, 2015 Valencian elections, a left-to-centre coalition entered office. *: From 1848 to 1891, the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland, Free Democratic Party held all seven seats of the Federal Council (Switzerland), Federal Council, thus having full control of the Swiss Directorial Government. *: The Swedish Social Democratic Party in Sweden governed from 1932 to 2006, except for some months in 1936 (1936–1939 and 1951–1957 in coalition with the Centre Party (Sweden), Farmers' League, 1939–1945 at the head of a government of national unity), 1976–1982 and 1991–1994. The party is still the largest party in Sweden and has been so in every general election since 1917 (hence the largest party even before the universal suffrage was introduced in 1921). The former Prime Minister and party leader Tage Erlander led the Swedish government for an uninterrupted tenure of 23 years (1946–1969), the longest in any democracy so far. Since 2006, the party support has declined, but in 2014, it returned to government, although its centre-left coalition has no majority. *: In Turkey's single-party period lasting until 1945, the Republican People's Party (CHP) was the major political organisation of the single-party state. However, the CHP faced two opposition parties during this period, both established upon the request of the founder of the Republic of Turkey and CHP leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in efforts to allegedly jump-start multiparty democracy in Turkey. The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey), Peoples' Democratic Party was the dominant party in the mainly Kurdish southeast from 1991 until the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt which resulted in 2016–present purges in Turkey, massive purges and the takeover of municipalities by the state. The landslide election victories of the Justice and Development Party (Turkey), Justice and Development Party led to the party gaining majority in parliament between 2002 and 2018. Since the 2018 Turkish parliamentary election, 2018 parliamentary election, the party has minority in the parliament and is in a coalition. *: **The Conservative Party (UK), Conservative and Unionist Party, currently in government since 2010, previously held sole power or as the largest coalition partner from 1916 to 1923, from 1924 to 1929, from 1931 to 1945, from 1951 to 1964, from 1970 to 1974, and from 1979 to 1997. ***Its predecessor, the Tories (British political party), Tories, governed from 1783 to 1806, and 1807 to 1830. **The Whigs (British political party), Whigs dominated the Kingdom of Great Britain's politics from 1714 to 1762 during the Whig supremacy. **: Scottish Labour won every election to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, House of Commons in Scotland from 1964 United Kingdom general election, 1964 to 2015 United Kingdom general election in Scotland, 2015, where it was heavily defeated and reduced to 1 seat. It controlled the Scottish Parliament from its inception in 1999 Scottish Parliament election, 1999 until the 2007 Scottish Parliament election, 2007 election where it lost to the Scottish National Party, SNP. **: The
Ulster Unionist Party The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is a unionist political party in Northern Ireland. The party was founded in 1905, emerging from the Irish Unionist Alliance in Ulster. Under Edward Carson, it led unionist opposition to the Irish Home Rule m ...
won every election between 1921 and 1972 in the Parliament of Northern Ireland, former devolved administration of
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label=Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is #Descriptions, variously described as ...
. *: The League of Communists of Yugoslavia governed the country from 1944/1945 until the party's dissolution in 1990. *: The Socialist Party of Serbia controlled the country from 1992 to 2000.


Asia

*: In Bangladesh, the Awami League was the country's predominant political party between 1972 and 1975 and from 2009 to present. After the Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, military coup of 1975, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) became the dominant political force between 1977 and 1982. Under the autocratic regime of General Hussain Muhammad Ershad, the Jatiya Party (Ershad), Jatiya Party was the dominant party between 1986 and 1990. Currently, Bangladesh Awami League again has become the dominant political force since 2008. *: The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League in Burma (now Myanmar) from 1948 to 1962. The Union Solidarity and Development Party from 2011 to 2016 (as a State Peace and Development Council, military junta from 1988 to 2011). *: The Democratic Party (Cambodia), Democratic Party was the dominant party in Cambodia from 1946 to 1955, The Sangkum in Cambodia was the dominant party under Prince Norodom Sihanouk as head of government from 1955 to 1970. Under the Khmer Republic the Social Republican Party was the dominant party under General Lon Nol from 1972 to 1975. *: The Kuomintang established a ''de facto'' one-party state in the Taiwan, Republic of China on the mainland and subsequently on Taiwan until political liberalization and the lifting of martial law in the late 1980s. The Kuomintang continued to dominate the political system until the victory of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party in the 2000 Republic of China presidential election, 2000 presidential election. Kuomintang maintained control of the Legislative Yuan until 2016. *: The
Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress (INC), colloquially the Congress Party but often simply the Congress, is a political party in India with widespread roots. Founded in 1885, it was the first modern nationalist movement to emerge in the British E ...
had continuously ruled the parliament of India and various State Legislature, state legislatures since independence in 1947 to 1977. **West Bengal: The Left Front (West Bengal), Left Front, comprising parties such as the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India, All India Forward Bloc and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (India), Revolutionary Socialist Party had ruled the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, state legislature of West Bengal for 34 years (winning election for seven consecutive times from 1977 to 2011). *: The Golkar (acronym of ''Golongan Karya'' or Functional Groups) organization, in power from 1971 to 1999 in support for Suharto, President Suharto. *: The Iran Novin Party dominated Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly, parliament, Cabinet of Iran, cabinet, and local councils from 1964 until Iran became a one-party state in 1975. *: Mapai in Israel was the dominant party from the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 (and before 1944 they won the Assembly of Representatives (Mandatory Palestine), Assembly of Representatives since 1925) until merging into present-day Israeli Labor Party in 1968. The Labor Party started losing influence in the 1970s, particularly following the Yom Kippur War, and eventually lost power in the 1977 Israeli legislative election, 1977 election. The Labor Party continued to participate in several coalition governments until 2009. *: Conservatism in South Korea, Conservative parties: Liberal Party (South Korea) in power 1948–1960, Democratic Republican Party (South Korea) in power 1962–1980, Democratic Justice Party in power 1980–1990, Democratic Liberal Party (South Korea) in power 1990–1995, New Korea Party in power 1995–1997 and Saenuri Party in power 2008–2017. *: United National Party governed from 1977 to 1994, and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party governed from 1994 to 2015. *: Barisan Nasional (BN), in power from 1974 to 2018, defeated in 2018 Malaysian general election, 2018 election. Also in a coalition government with Perikatan Nasional from 2020 to 2022 in the wake of 2020 Malaysian political crisis, with BN leading from 2021 to 2022. Its predecessor Alliance Party (Malaysia), Perikatan also held power from 1955 to 1973. After the 2022 Malaysian general election, despite currently in a coalition government led by Pakatan Harapan, BN is no longer dominant in the Malaysian politics. **: Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1954 to 2018, defeated in 2018 election. Regained power in the wake of 2020 Malaysian political crisis and won the 2022 Johor state election. **: Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1955 to 2008, defeated in 2008 election. Regained power in the 2013 state elections, but defeated again in the 2018 Kedah state election, 2018 election. **: Barisan Nasional, in power from 1978, when they won the 1978 Malaysian state_elections#Kelantan, 1978 state election in Kelantan and governed in a coalition with Pan-Malaysian Islamic Front, BERJASA, until 1990, when BN were defeated in 1990 Malaysian state elections#Kelantan, that year's election. **: Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1955 to 2018, defeated in 2018 election. Regained power in the wake of 2020 Malaysian political crisis and won the 2021 Melaka state election. **: Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1955 to 2018, defeated in 2018 election. **: Barisan Nasional, in power from 1974 to 2008 under main component party in Penang Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Gerakan, defeated in 2008 election. Gerakan as a single party also won state election in 1969, winning it from BN predecessor Perikatan, who held power in the state from 1955. **: Barisan Nasional, in power from 1974 to 2008, defeated in 2008 election. BN regained power in 2009 as a result of 2009 Perak constitutional crisis, and won the 2013 Perak state election. BN would lose the Perak government again after defeat in the 2018 state election, but regained power in the wake of 2020 Malaysian political crisis. Its predecessor Alliance Party (Malaysia), Perikatan also held power from 1955 to 1969. Currently lead a coalition government with Pakatan Harapan after the 2022 Perak state election. **: Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1955 to 2022, defeated in 2022 Perlis state election, 2022 election. **: Barisan Nasional, in power from 1976 to 1985 (led by component party Sabah People's United Front, BERJAYA), 1986 to 1990 (led by component party United Sabah Party, PBS), and from 1994 to 2018 (led by component party United Malay National Organization, UMNO Sabah). Currently BN is in a coalition government with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), led by Malaysian United Indigenous Party, BERSATU Sabah, after the 2020 Sabah state election. PBS also led the state government as a single party from 1985 to 1986, and as part of Gagasan Rakyat coalition from 1990 to 1994. Before BN, Alliance Party (Malaysia), Perikatan Sabah (Sabah Alliance) holds power in Sabah from its independence in 1963 to 1976. **: Barisan Nasional, in power from 1974 to 2008, defeated in 2008 election. Its predecessor Perikatan also held power from 1955 to 1969. **: Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1955 to 2018, with exception to 1959-1961 and 1999-2004, when the state government was led by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS). Defeated in the 2018 Terengganu state election, 2018 election. *: The National Unity Party (Northern Cyprus), National Unity Party governed from 1983 to 2005. *: The Nacionalista Party (Philippines), Nacionalista Party in the Philippines was the dominant party during various times in the nation's history from 4th Philippine Legislature, 1916–2nd National Assembly of the Philippines, 1941, and on 1st Congress of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, 1945. From Interim Batasang Pambansa, 1978 to Regular Batasang Pambansa, 1986 Kilusang Bagong Lipunan operated as a dominant party. *: General People's Congress (Yemen), General People's Congress, In power effectively from 1982 (1982-1990 sole legal party) to 2015, ceded effective control after Houthi takeover in Yemen, Houthi takeover of Sana'a.


Africa

*: The National Liberation Front (Algeria), National Liberation Front had governed Algeria from 1962 to 1992, from 1992 to 1994 (sole legal party 1962 to 1989), and from 1999 to 2019. The current president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, is affiliated with FLN, but its partisan power is significantly weakened after the 2021 Algerian legislative election, 2021 parliamentary elections. *: The Congress for Democracy and Progress from 1996 to 2014, under Blaise Compaoré, who ruled first as an independent after a coup from 1987 to 1989, then leads Organization for Popular Democracy – Labour Movement from 1989 to 1996. *: Union for National Progress (UPRONA) from 1962-1993 (from 1974 to 1992 as sole legal party). *: the Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa ruled from 1960 to 1981 (from 1962 to 1980 as sole legal party). *: Patriotic Salvation Movement (Mouvement Patriotique de Salut de SMPS) governed from 1990 to 2021. *: The National Democratic Party (Egypt), National Democratic Party (NDP) of Egypt, under various names, from 1952 to 2011 (as Arab Socialist Union (Egypt), Arab Socialist Union, sole legal party 1953–1978) *: The People's Progressive Party (The Gambia), People's Progressive Party in The Gambia from 1962 to 1994. The Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction under Yahya Jammeh from 1996 to 2017, with Jammeh ruling first under a Junta after a 1994 Gambian coup d'état, coup from 1994 to 1996. *: African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) governed from 1974 to 1999 (from 1974 to 1991 as the sole legal party). *: Democratic Party of Ivory Coast – African Democratic Rally, Democratic Party of Ivory Coast governed from 1960 to 1999 (from 1960 to 1990 as the sole legal party). *: The Kenya African National Union in Kenya from 1963 to 2002 (sole legal party 1982-1991). *: True Whig Party ruled consecutively from 1878 to 1980, in a de-facto one-party state manner, though the country never explicitly banned opposition parties. *: People's Democratic Party (Nigeria), People's Democratic Party (PDP) was in power from May 29, 1999, till May 29, 2015, when the opposition party All Progressives Congress (APC) won the 2015 Nigerian presidential election, presidential election in 2015. *: The Rhodesian Front in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), under the leadership of Ian Smith, from 1965 to 1980. *: The Socialist Party of Senegal, Socialist Party in Senegal from 1960 to 2000 (sole legal party 1966-1974). *: United Seychelles Party ruled from 1977 to 2020 (from 1977 to 1991 as sole legal party). *: The All People's Congress Party ruled from 1968 to 1992 (from 1978 to 1991 as sole legal party). *: The National Party in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. *: National Congress (Sudan), National Congress from 1998 to 2019 (1998 to 2005 as sole legal party). *: The Democratic Constitutional Rally in Tunisia, 1956–2011 (as the sole legal party between 1963 and 1981). *: The Movement for Multiparty Democracy from 1991 to 2011.


Oceania

*: The Liberal Party of Australia, Liberal Party (generally in a near-permanent Coalition (Australia), Coalition with the National Party of Australia, National Party) held power federally from 1949 to 1972 and from 1975 to 1983 (31 out of 34 years). By the scheduled expiry of the 46th Parliament in 2022, the Coalition (Australia), Liberal-National Coalition will have held power for 20 out of the 26 years between 1996 and 2022. Overall from 1949 to 2022, the Liberal Party will have held power for 52 out of the last 73 years. The longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia, Prime Minister was Robert Menzies, who served from 1939 to 1941 (2 years) as a member of the United Australia Party, and from 1949 to 1966 (16 years) as leader of the Liberal Party. **: The Country Liberal Party held power from the granting of self-government in 1978 to 2001 (23 years). **: The Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch), Labor Party held power from 1941 to 1965 (24 years), and from 1976 to 1988 and 1995 to 2011 (28 out of 35 years) – in total 52 out of 70 years from 1941 to 2011. **: The Australian Labor Party (Queensland Branch), Labor Party held power from 1915 to 1929 and from 1932 to 1957 (39 out of 42 years). The National Party of Australia, National Party then held power from 1957 to 1989 (32 years). These were facilitated by a Labor-designed malapportionment that favoured rural districts. The National Party of Australia, National Party under Joh Bjelke-Petersen increased the malapportionment with the Bjelkemander, allowing them to rule alone without the Liberals, and used the police to suppress dissent and opposition from Labor. The National Party dominance was ended by a corruption Inquiry, Bjelke-Petersen was forced to resign in disgrace and police and politicians were charged with crimes. Since 1989, Labor has held government aside from a National Party government 1996–1998 and Liberal-National Party government 2012–2015 (27 years of Labor government out of 32 years). **: The Liberal and Country League held power from 1933 to 1965 (32 years). The Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch), Labor Party held power from 1970 to 1979, from 1982 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2018 (26 out of 38 years). **: The Australian Labor Party (Tasmanian Branch), Labor Party held power from 1934 to 1969 and from 1972 to 1982 (45 out of 48 years), from 1989 to 1992, and from 1998 to 2014 (16 years) – in total 64 out of 80 years from 1934 to 2014. **: The National Citizens' Reform League (1902-1909), the Liberal Party (Australia, 1909), Deakinite Liberal Party (1909-1917) and the Nationalist Party (Australia), Nationalist Party (1917-1924) consecutively held power from 1902 to 1924 (22 years). The National Party of Australia – Victoria, Country Party then ruled from 1924 to 1927 (3 years), followed by the Nationalist Party from 1928 to 1929 (1 year) in a Coalition (Australia)#Victoria, coalition. The Country Party and the United Australia Party (later as the Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division), Liberal and Country Party) held power with and without a coalition from 1932 to 1945 (13 years) and 1947 to 1952 (5 years). The Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division), Liberal Party then held power from 1955 to 1982 (27 years). In total, conservative governments ruled 71 out of 80 years from 1902 to 1982. **: The Liberal Party of Australia, Liberal Party held power from 1947 to 1983 with two one-term interruptions between 1953 and 1956 and 1971 to 1974 (30 out of 36 years). **: The Australian Labor Party, Labor Party has held power since 2001 (in coalition with the Australian Greens, Greens since 2012), previously holding government between 1989 and 1995 (24 years out of 30 years since self government). *: The New Zealand Liberal Party, Liberal Party governed from 1891 to 1912. *: The Human Rights Protection Party governed from 1982 to 2021.


See also

* Loyal opposition * Multi-party system * Party of power * Separation of powers * Soft despotism * Two-party system * Types of democracy


Notes


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dominant-Party System Political party systems Elections Political systems