2.5 Removal of Executives

In July 2026 the UK changed prime minister without a general election. The prime minister resigned as Labour Party leader, the party chose a new leader, and the new leader was appointed prime minister by the monarch because they could command a Commons majority. The next general election is due by 2029. This is the most common way UK prime ministers leave office between elections: through their own party, not a confidence vote.

A vote of no confidence is a vote in the legislature on whether it still supports the government. If the government loses, it must resign or call an election. The last UK government to lose one was in 1979, which led to a general election.

More often, UK prime ministers are pushed out by their own party. Margaret Thatcher was replaced after a party leadership challenge in 1990, and the prime ministers who left office in 2019, 2022 and 2026 resigned after losing the support of their party's MPs. In each case the party chose a new leader, who became prime minister.

• Mexico: Impeachment in Congress applies to many officials, but a sitting president can be charged only for a short list of serious crimes, such as treason. A 2021 amendment widened the list to include corruption, electoral crimes and any crime an ordinary citizen could be tried for. The Chamber of Deputies brings the charge and the Senate decides. A recall vote was added in 2019; the first was held in 2022, but turnout of about 18% fell short of the 40% needed to make it binding. A 2026 amendment set June 2028 as the date for the next possible recall vote.
• Nigeria: At least one-third of the members of the National Assembly must sign a notice of misconduct, two-thirds of each house must vote to investigate, a panel chosen by the Chief Justice investigates, and two-thirds of each house must vote to remove.
• Russia: The Duma brings charges by a two-thirds vote, the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court must confirm, and the Federation Council removes the president by a two-thirds vote. The Duma can also vote no confidence in the government (the prime minister and cabinet), but the president decides whether to dismiss it or dissolve the Duma.
• Iran: The Assembly of Experts can dismiss the Supreme Leader if it finds the leader unable to carry out the duties. The Majles can declare the president incompetent by a two-thirds vote, and the Supreme Leader then dismisses the president. This happened in 1981 to Iran's first president, Abolhassan Banisadr.
• China: The constitution lets the National People's Congress remove the state president, but in practice leadership changes are decided inside the party leadership, out of public view.