1 Answers
In a parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster system, confidence and supply are required for a ruling party to retain power in the lower house.
A confidence-and-supply agreement is one whereby a party or independent members of parliament will support the government in motions of confidence and appropriation or budget votes, by either voting in favour or abstaining. However, parties and independent members normally retain the right to otherwise vote in favour of their own policies or on conscience on legislative bills.
A coalition government is a more formal arrangement than a confidence-and-supply agreement, in that members from junior parties gain positions in the cabinet and ministerial roles, and may be expected to hold the government whip on passing legislation.