Definition
A parliamentary mechanism where the legislature votes on whether they still trust the government to lead, essentially a workplace performance review with the power to fire the entire executive branch. Losing one typically triggers a government collapse or election.
Example Usage
The prime minister barely survived the confidence vote after half her own party abstained in a show of aggressive neutrality.
Origin
Developed in British parliamentary practice in the 18th and 19th centuries
Fun Fact
In some systems, governments can call confidence votes on their own legislation, essentially saying 'pass this bill or we'll force an election'—the political equivalent of threatening to flip the board game.
Source: Parliamentary systems scholarship and comparative constitutional law
Related Terms
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See “confidence vote” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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