A minority government occurs when a political party or coalition holds fewer than half the seats in the legislature but still forms the government. This situation often arises after elections where no single party gains a majority. The governing party must rely on support from other parties to pass legislation, which can lead to negotiations and compromises. In a minority government, the ruling party may face challenges in implementing its agenda, as it needs to secure votes from opposition parties. This can result in a less stable government, as it may be more susceptible to losing confidence votes, potentially leading to new elections.