Following the resignation of UK Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, attention has turned to the winds of change at Downing Street. The country is preparing to welcome its 7th prime minister in the last 10 years.
This number stands out as a notable level for a country historically known for relative government stability compared to its European Union neighbors, thanks to its electoral system and political structure.
However, a report published by Euronews, covering prime ministers and equivalent positions in various countries, revealed that the UK is not alone in this regard. The UK ranked third alongside Austria with 7 prime ministers between 2016 and 2026.
Romania tops the list with 11 prime ministers
At the top of the list is Romania with 11 prime ministers. The last prime minister to complete a full term in the country served in 2008. In Romania, the prime minister shares executive power with the president.
In second place is Bulgaria, which has changed 10 prime ministers due to years of political instability and fragile party coalitions. Italy, known for political instability, has experienced an average of one government change per year since World War II, placing fourth with 5 prime ministers, alongside Latvia and Slovakia.
France has changed 9 prime ministers
The research also acknowledges the difficulties of comparing different government systems. For example, differences in powers between the positions of president, prime minister, and chancellor affect the assessment.
When the assessment is limited only to prime ministers, France ranks third. The country witnessed 9 prime ministerial changes, from Gabriel Attal, Michel Barnier, François Bayrou to current Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, due to political gridlock following the 2024 elections that produced no clear parliamentary majority. Meanwhile, France has seen only 2 presidents in the same period.
Spain and Portugal completed the 2016-2026 period with two prime ministers each.
Countries forming a new government every year
The debate in Europe is not limited to the number of changes of heads of government; the average lifespan of governments is also under scrutiny. Liz Truss's premiership in the UK lasting only 49 days in 2022 has raised further questions on this issue.
According to an analysis by the US-based Pew Research Center, from World War II to 2022, most European countries experienced at least one government change. In Belgium, Finland, and Italy, the average government duration remained well below 365 days, the full constitutional term granted to a new government.
When a government falls through a vote of no confidence, resignation, or cabinet reshuffle, new governments are usually formed through party coalitions or early elections. This leads to the emergence of caretaker governments, whose duration varies from country to country.
The highest number of caretaker governments in the analysis was seen in the Netherlands with 11 since World War II. The Netherlands is followed by Belgium with 9 and Bulgaria with 8. Belgium also holds the record for the longest-serving caretaker government. The third government led by Yves Leterme ran the country on a caretaker basis for 541 days between 2010 and 2011.
