Final answer:
The party with the most elected representatives is typically invited by the Governor General to form the government. In a parliamentary system, if no party has a majority, parties may form a coalition. The Queen's representative's role is largely ceremonial in this process.
Step-by-step explanation:
After a federal election, the party that forms the new government is A. The party with the most elected representatives is invited by the Governor General to become the party in power. This occurs within a parliamentary system, where the voters elect representatives, and the government is then formed based on these electoral choices. If a single party wins a majority of seats in the legislature, the prime minister, who is usually a member of that majority party, will be invited to form the government. However, if no single party wins a majority, a coalition government may be formed through negotiation and agreement between parties.
In the context of the Commonwealth realms, the Queen's representative, such as a Governor General, plays a ceremonial role in appointing the leader of the majority or coalition party to form a government. The actual process of government formation is grounded in the democratic election results and the subsequent decision-making within the parliament.
When no party wins a majority, the most common scenario is that parties form a coalition (c). A coalition is a practical solution that allows for governance without the need for immediate new elections. Instead, the parties negotiate to form a partnership that collectively holds a majority of seats and can support a prime minister and their government.