Prime Minister-designate

Prime Minister-designate is the term used to refer to a person who is expected to succeed an incumbent as prime minister as the result of a general election or after being named by the head of state to form a new government after a public referendum or vote of no confidence against the sitting prime minister.

The term can be misleading, as a prime minister is usually appointed by the head of state, and not elected to office by the entire nation, as is the case with some presidential polls. However, it is frequently used by the media. Terms such as Prime Minister-in-waiting, incoming Prime Minister or Prime Minister-elect are also sometimes used.

In some countries the role is specifically covered by legislation, in others convention applies before the chosen leader is sworn in. The Australian Electoral Commission, the government authority responsible for the conduct of elections in Australia, notes that "it is usually possible for the Prime Minister-elect to claim victory on the night of the election".

The media sometimes prematurely refers to someone as a Prime Minister-designate. In the United Kingdom during the 2007 Labour Party Leadership Election, Gordon Brown was referred to as the Prime Minister-designate even before the Leadership elections had confirmed him in that position.

The title "Premier-designate" often has the same meaning in governments that use the title "Premier" to describe a role equivalent to a Prime Minister.

In Israel between 1996 and 2001 (when direct prime-ministerial elections were held) the role and duration of the Prime Minister-elect was prescribed by legislation: within 45 days of the publication of the election results (which were published 8 days after elections) the Prime Minister-elect would have appeared before the Knesset, presented the Ministers of the Government, announced the division of tasks and the guiding principles of the government's policies, and, after receiving a vote of confidence, enter into office. In 2001, the Knesset voted to change the system of direct prime-ministerial elections and restore the one-vote parliamentary system of government that operated until 1996, approving a reformed version of the original Basic Law: The Government 1968. This new law entered into effect with the January 2003 elections.

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