Final answer:
Ministers in a parliamentary system are expected to support government policy, and failure to do so can lead to dismissal by the prime minister. A no-confidence vote may arise from a lack of support, leading to a new government or elections. Support from coalition partners is essential for political stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Any minister who fails to support government policy in a parliamentary system may face serious consequences, as they are expected to maintain party unity and support the government's agenda.
Members of the cabinet are tasked with upholding the policies of the prime minister and the ruling party. In instances where a minister does not support government policy, the prime minister has the authority to demote or dismiss them from the cabinet, which reinforces a unified front within the government.
Moreover, when a no-confidence vote is triggered—often due to a lack of support from the coalition or members of the parliament—the government can be at risk. If the sitting government loses this vote, it may result in either the formation of a new government or the calling of new elections.
This was exemplified by the case of Stefan Löfven in Sweden, who lost a no-confidence vote and resigned but later managed to form a new coalition and regain power.
In a multi-party system, the support of coalitions is essential for the prime minister to maintain power, and the inability to secure this support can lead to political instability and new elections, as seen in the protracted negotiations by Nouri al Maliki in Iraq.