provisional government

{{short description|Emergency governmental authority created to manage a country during a political transition}}

{{forms of government}}

A provisional government, also called an interim government, an emergency government, a transitional government or provisional leadership,{{Cite web |url=https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=interim+government%2C+provisional+government%2C+morning+government%2C+transitional+government&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=18&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cinterim%20government%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cprovisional%20government%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Ctransitional%20government%3B%2Cc0 |title=Google Ngram Viewer |access-date=2019-03-08 |archive-date=2019-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608115427/https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=interim+government%2C+provisional+government%2C+morning+government%2C+transitional+government&year_start=1800&year_end=2000&corpus=18&smoothing=3&share=&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cinterim%20government%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Cprovisional%20government%3B%2Cc0%3B.t1%3B%2Ctransitional%20government%3B%2Cc0 |url-status=live }} is a temporary government formed to manage a period of transition, often following state collapse, revolution, civil war, or some combination thereof.

Provisional governments generally come to power in connection with a grave crisis that has caused the previous government to suddenly and irreversibly collapse, such as economic collapse, civil war, defeat in a foreign war, revolution, or the death of a long-serving authoritarian ruler. Questions of democratic transition and state-building are often fundamental to the formation and policies of such governments.

Provisional governments maintain power until a new government can be appointed by a regular political process, which is generally an election.{{Cite web|url = http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/acbgovtpol/caretaker_government|title = caretaker government|access-date = 18 December 2015|website = Credo Reference|publisher = Dictionary of politics and government|archive-date = 1 June 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220601203110/https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/acbgovtpol/caretaker_government/0|url-status = live}} They may be involved with defining the legal structure of subsequent regimes, guidelines related to human rights and political freedoms, the structure of the economy, government institutions, and international alignment.{{Cite journal|title = The Role of Interim Governments|last1 = Shain |last2 = Linz|first1 = Yossi|first2 = Juan J.|date = January 1992|journal = Journal of Democracy|volume = 3|pages = 73–79|doi = 10.1353/jod.1992.0012|s2cid = 153562287}}

Provisional governments differ from caretaker governments, which are responsible for governing within an established parliamentary system and serve temporarily after an election, vote of no confidence or cabinet crisis, until a new government can be appointed. Caretaker governments operate entirely within the existing constitutional framework and most countries tightly circumscribe their authority, in contrast to provisional governments, which often operate in the absence of any elected legislature and usually enjoy expansive, if temporary, powers.

In opinion of Yossi Shain and Juan J. Linz, provisional governments can be classified to four groups:Yossi Shain, Juan J. Linz, "Between States: Interim Governments in Democratic Transitions", 1995, {{ISBN|9780521484985}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=uy2GQmasDg4C&pg=PR11] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313214329/https://books.google.lt/books?hl=lt&lr=&id=uy2GQmasDg4C&oi=fnd&pg=PR11|date=2018-03-13}}, p. 5

  1. Revolutionary provisional governments (when the former regime is overthrown and the power belongs to the people who have overthrown it).
  2. Power sharing provisional governments (when the power is shared between former regime and the ones who are trying to change it).
  3. Incumbent provisional governments (when the power during transitional period belongs to the former regime).
  4. International provisional governments (when the power during the transitional period belongs to the international community).

The establishment of provisional governments is frequently tied to the implementation of transitional justice.{{cite journal|title = Transitional Justice and the Rule of Law|last = McAuliffe|first = Padraig|date = 1 September 2010|journal = Hague Journal of the Rule of Law|doi = 10.1017/S1876404510200015| doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 |s2cid = 154281455}} Provisional governments may be responsible for implementing transitional justice measures as part of the path to establishing a permanent government structure.

The early provisional governments were created to prepare for the return of royal rule. Irregularly convened assemblies during the English Revolution, such as Confederate Ireland (1641–49), were described as "provisional". The Continental Congress, a convention of delegates from 13 British colonies on the east coast of North America became the provisional government of the United States in 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. The government shed its provisional status in 1781, following ratification of the Articles of Confederation, and continued in existence as the Congress of the Confederation until it was supplanted by the United States Congress in 1789.

The practice of using "provisional government" as part of a formal name can be traced to Talleyrand's government in France in 1814. In 1843, American pioneers in the Oregon Country, in the Pacific Northwest region of North America established the Provisional Government of Oregon—as the U.S. federal government had not yet extended its jurisdiction over the region—which existed until March 1849. The numerous provisional governments during the Revolutions of 1848 gave the word its modern meaning: A liberal government established to prepare for elections.

Numerous provisional governments have been established since the 1850s.

Africa

As of 2024, seven African countries currently have provisional governments: Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger.

Americas

As of 2024 in the Americas, only Haiti is formally administered by a provisional government.

Asia

= World War I and Interbellum =

= World War II =

  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of China (1912–1928).svg}} Provisional Government of the Republic of China (1937–40), established by the Empire of Japan after its invasion of Eastern China
  • {{Flagicon|Azad Hind}} Provisional Government of Free India (1943–1945), commonly known as Azad Hind, established by Indian nationalists in southeast Asia, had nominal sovereignty over Axis-controlled Indian territories, and had diplomatic relationships with eleven countries including Germany, Italy, Japan, Philippines, and the Soviet Union. It was headed by Subhas Chandra Bose, who was the Head of the State and Prime Minister, who was also Supreme Commander of the Indian National Army. The government had its own cabinet and banks, and was the first government to recruit women for combat roles.

= Cold War and aftermath =

= 21st century =

As of 2024 in Asia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, the State of Palestine (under both Fatah and Hamas), Syria, and Yemen currently have provisional governments.

  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of Afghanistan (1992–2001).svg}} Afghan Interim Administration (2001–2002), established following the overthrow of the first Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan during the War in Afghanistan. Succeeded by the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan.
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of Afghanistan (2002–2004).svg}} Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (2002–2004), formed as the successor to the Afghan Interim Administration. Succeeded by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan following the election and inauguration of the First Karzai cabinet.
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of Iraq (1991–2004).svg}} Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq (2003–2004) with the Iraqi Interim Governing Council, established to act as a caretaker administration in Iraq following the 2003 invasion of Iraq pending the hand over of power to the Iraqi people and the creation of a democratically elected civilian government.
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of Iraq (2004–2008).svg}} Iraqi Interim Government (2004–2005) and the Iraqi Transitional Government (2005–2006) were both provisional authorities established after the hand over of power to the Iraqi people following the 2003 invasion of Iraq to govern pending the adoption of a permanent constitution.
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of Thailand.svg}} 2006 Thai interim civilian government, established by the Council for National Security following the 2006 Thai coup d'état. Dissolved following the enacting of the 2007 constitution of Thailand.
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of Syria 2011, observed.svg}} Syrian Interim Government (2013–2025), established by the Syrian National Coalition during the Syrian Civil War. Ultimately absorbed into the Syrian caretaker government following the fall of the Assad regime.{{cite news|title=Mustafa Places Interim Government at the Disposal of the Syrian State|url=https://syrianobserver.com/syrian-actors/mustafa-places-interim-government-at-the-disposal-of-the-syrian-state.html|website=Syrian Observer|date=2025-02-05}}{{cite web |title="المؤقتة" تضع كوادرها تحت تصرف حكومة دمشق | date=4 February 2025 |url=https://www.enabbaladi.net/737589/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A4%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B6%D8%B9-%D9%83%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%81-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%AF%D9%85/?amp=1 |publisher=Enab Baladi |access-date=2025-02-04 |language=ar}}
  • {{Flagdeco|Yemen}} Supreme Political Council of Yemen (2015–present), established by the Houthi Movement after the 2014–15 Yemeni coup d'état, currently participating in the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) against the governments of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Presidential Leadership Council
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of South Yemen.svg}} Southern Transitional Council of South Yemen (2016–present), established by the Southern Movement - a separatist group in southern Yemen - during the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian Salvation Government.svg}} Syrian Salvation Government (2017–2024), established by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the Idlib Governorate.{{Cite news|date=2020-02-18|title=Syria: Who's in control of Idlib?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-45401474|access-date=2021-02-22|archive-date=2019-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727020858/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-45401474|url-status=live}} Ultimately absorbed into the Syrian caretaker government following the fall of the Assad regime.{{cite web|accessdate=10 December 2024|date=10 December 2024|url=https://www.independentarabia.com/node/613575/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B3-2025|website=Independent Arabia|title=Mohammed al-Bashir officially the head of the transitional government in Syria until March 2025}}
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg}} Interim government of Kyrgyzstan (2020–2021), established in 2020 in the aftermath of the 2020 Kyrgyzstani protests
  • {{flagdeco|Myanmar}} National Unity Government of Myanmar (2021–present), established in exile by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw in opposition to the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état{{cite news |title=Myanmar coup foes tout minority-backed shadow government |url=https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-aung-san-suu-kyi-global-trade-myanmar-asia-efd466d20a2833fc66bbe218a16fd27f |access-date=18 March 2022 |work=Associated Press |date=16 April 2021 |location=Yangon |archive-date=18 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318025701/https://apnews.com/article/race-and-ethnicity-aung-san-suu-kyi-global-trade-myanmar-asia-efd466d20a2833fc66bbe218a16fd27f |url-status=live }}
  • {{flagdeco|Myanmar}} Provisional Government of Myanmar (2021–present), established by the State Administration Council as a formalization of its rule six months after the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état{{cite news |title=Myanmar shadow government condemns army ruler for taking PM role |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-shadow-government-condemns-army-ruler-taking-pm-role-2021-08-02/ |access-date=18 March 2022 |work=Reuters |date=2 August 2021 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403211717/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-shadow-government-condemns-army-ruler-taking-pm-role-2021-08-02/ |url-status=live }}
  • {{Flagdeco|Yemen}} Presidential Leadership Council (2022–present), established by internationally recognized outgoing president Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi to seek a "comprehensive political solution" to the Yemeni Civil War{{cite news |last1=Salem |first1=Mostafa |last2=Kolirin |first2=Lianne |title=Hopes of peace in Yemen as President hands power to new presidential council |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/07/middleeast/yemen-presidential-council-intl/index.html |access-date=8 April 2022 |work=CNN |date=7 April 2022 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408002649/https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/07/middleeast/yemen-presidential-council-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Ghobari |first1=Mohamed |title=Yemen president sacks deputy, delegates presidential powers to council |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/yemen-president-relieves-deputy-his-post-2022-04-07/ |access-date=7 April 2022 |work=Reuters |location=Aden |date=7 April 2022 |quote=With this declaration a Presidential Leadership Council shall be established to complete the implementation of the tasks of the transitional period. I irreversibly delegate to the Presidential Leadership Council my full powers in accordance with the constitution and the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism. |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501215243/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/yemen-president-relieves-deputy-his-post-2022-04-07/ |url-status=live }}
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of Israel.svg}} Israeli war cabinet (2023–2024), established following the outbreak of the Gaza war and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration of a state of emergency. The war cabinet was later dissolved after former ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkott left the coalition.
  • {{Flagicon image|Karenni people flag.svg}} Karenni State Interim Executive Council (2023–present), formed by Karenni resistance groups during the Myanmar civil war in opposition to the State Administration Council.
  • {{flagicon image|Hamas Emblem Flag White Variant with Colored Emblem.svg}} Hamas temporary committee (2024–present), established following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh to facilitate communication with chairman Yahya Sinwar and maintain governance of Hamas during the Gaza war.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-22 |title=War in the Middle East: Hamas to be led temporarily by a committee |url=https://international.la-croix.com/world/war-in-the-middle-east-hamas-to-be-led-temporarily-by-a-committee |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=La croix international |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=22 October 2024 |title=Doha-based committee to lead Hamas amid war, in wake of Sinwar's death — report |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/doha-based-committee-to-lead-hamas-amid-war-in-wake-of-sinwars-death-report/ |work=The Times of Israel}} Later transitioned to committee rule following Sinwar's own killing, pending elections in March 2025.{{Cite news |date=22 October 2024 |title=Hamas to be temporarily led by five-member ruling committee |url=https://thearabweekly.com/hamas-be-temporarily-led-five-member-ruling-committee |work=The Arab Weekly}}{{Cite news |date=22 October 2024 |title=Hamas will be temporarily led by a committee, according to sources within the movement |url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1432334/hamas-will-be-temporarily-led-by-a-committee-according-to-sources-within-the-movement.html |work=L'Orient Today}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-19 |title=Who will lead Hamas after killing of Yahya Sinwar? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c04p04lq27ko |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of Bangladesh.svg}} Interim government of Muhammad Yunus (2024–present), formed following the expulsion of prime minister Sheikh Hasina and consequent dissolution of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad during the Student–People's uprising. The interim government is expected to remain in office until the appointment of a new Prime Minister of Bangladesh following the next Bangladeshi general election.{{cite news |title=Bangladesh's interim government will take oath on Thursday, says the military chief |url=https://apnews.com/article/hasina-bangladesh-opposition-khaleda-quota-fd7db94ba0a66a12f7b61de3a1bb6730 |access-date=7 August 2024 |work=Associated Press News |date=7 August 2024 }}
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg}} Syrian caretaker government (2024–2025), established following the fall of the Assad regime during the Syrian civil war. Syrian Salvation Government leader Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the transitional administration's formation on Telegram,{{Cite web |title=Syria latest: 'The future is ours,' says rebel leader after Assad flees Damascus |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cwy8xzxe0w7t |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Opposition forces impose curfew in Syrian capital Damascus| date=8 December 2024 |url=https://www.intellinews.com/opposition-forces-impose-curfew-in-syrian-capital-damascus-357194/?source=syrian-arab-republic |access-date=8 December 2024 |publisher=bne IntelliNews|language=en}} while National Coalition president Hadi al-Bahra stated that the government's goals are to draft a new constitution and establish "a safe, neutral, and quiet environment" for free elections within 18 months.{{Cite news |title=Syrian opposition leader says state institutions will be preserved in 18-month transition|url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-opposition-leader-says-state-institutions-should-be-preserved-and-rebels-accomodated |access-date=8 December 2024 |website=Middle East Eye|language=en}} Succeeded by the Syrian transitional government in 2025.{{Cite web |title=At protest, Tel Aviv mayor vows to shut down country if government ignores a High Court ruling |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-march-29-2025/ |access-date=29 March 2025 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}
  • {{Flagicon image|Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg}} Syrian transitional government (2025–present), established by Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa to implement the five-year transitional period dictated by the 2025 Interim Constitution of Syria.{{Cite news |title=Syrian leader signs constitution that puts the country under an Islamist group's rule for 5 years |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/13/middleeast/syria-constitution-ap-intl/index.html |access-date=13 March 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}

Europe

= World War I and Interbellum =

= World War II =

Provisional governments were also established throughout Europe as occupied nations were liberated from Nazi occupation by the Allies.

= Cold War =

= Collapse of the USSR and aftermath =

= 21st century =

As of 2024 in Europe, only Belarus, South Ossetia, and territories of Russia and Ukraine occupied by each other during the Russian invasion of Ukraine have provisional governments. The former two were established by the opposition in parallel with the government of the Republic of South Ossetia–State of Alania and the government of the Republic of Belarus, while the latter two exist as a occupation governments in opposition to the government of Russia and the government of Ukraine, respectively.

Oceania

International

  • {{Flagicon image|International Flag of Planet Earth.svg}} Provisional World Government (1977–present), established by the Second World Constituent Assembly after the adoption of a world constitution, Constitution for the Federation of Earth.{{Cite web |title=Miscellaneous Organizations G,H, & I - UNARMS |url=https://search.archives.un.org/s-1096-0345-03-00008 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=search.archives.un.org}}{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Global Strategies & Solutions : Preparing earth constitution |encyclopedia=The Encyclopedia of World Problems |publisher=Union of International Associations |url=http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/strategy/193465 |access-date=2023-07-15 |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207030018/http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/strategy/193465 |archive-date=2024-12-07 |via=uia.org}}{{Cite web |title=Provisional World Parliament {{!}} UIA Yearbook Profile {{!}} Union of International Associations |url=https://uia.org/s/or/en/1100012539 |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=uia.org}}

See also

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Government