A minority government operates in a parliamentary system when the ruling party does not have an absolute majority of seats in the legislature. Instead, it relies on the support of other parties to pass legislation and maintain confidence, often leading to coalitions or informal agreements. Minority governments must negotiate with opposition parties, which can make governance challenging. This situation can foster a need for compromise and collaboration yet can lead to instability, prompting snap elections if the government fails to secure necessary votes. While common in many parliamentary systems, minority governments highlight the complexities of representative democracy.