A few days back, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom resigned amidst the unprecedented resignation of ministers from his cabinet. Of course, he survived a no-confidence vote earlier. But the controversy over some allegations including the partygate scandal in Buckingham Palace forced him to resign from his office, though he will run the office unless another Premier is elected. There is no doubt that his resignation indicates the extent of accountability in the politics of the UK. But the resignation of Premiers has become a common phenomenon in the UK since the initiation of Brexit. But this is obviously not the only case of resignation. Indeed, vital post holders especially the President, Prime Minister and Minister resign from their posts in many other countries.
Sometimes resignation is due to political protests, sometimes it is because of political stalemate driven by the breaking of the coalition government and sometimes it is a willingly made decision in response to the failure to play responsible roles without any notable political protest or other force. For instance, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka resigned because of mounting political protests. Besides, there are many other examples including the resignation of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and his cabinet in 2021, But Antti Rinne resigned as the Prime Minister of Finland because of the losing coalition partners of his government in 2019. Of course, some resign for some other reasons. For instance, the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe resigned in 2021 for neither of these reasons rather he resigned for his illness though he was playing his responsibilities better.
But resignation, no matter whether it is due to any force exerted by political protests (or other means), a willingly made decision or any other reasons, has some positive and negative implications in political and other terms within and outside of the national boundary. One of the most significant effects in the national sphere is the chance of addressing the significant political stalemate or discontent that forced to resign. Indeed, after resignation, national elections are held and people’s representatives form the new government in some countries. For example, the resignation of the government in some countries including Bangladesh led to free and fair elections immediately. Besides, the economic causes of protests are also addressed on some occasions after resignation. Indeed, resignation led to improved economic situations because of economic reformations in some countries.
But resignation from vital posts does not always lead to the reduction of political problems within the state boundary. For example, the resignation of Omar al-Bashir in 2021 has not yet led to elections and the formation of the people’s government. Sometimes, political situations can deteriorate after the resignation of Prime Ministers or Presidents. For instance, the political situation deteriorated in Sudan after the resignation of Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok. In addition to political impacts, the economic causes of political protests are not well-addressed on many occasions. Notably, economic crisis can be because of various structural and other problems that can sometimes make it difficult to significantly improve economic situation after the resignation. For example, the economic causes in Sri Lanka are not well addressed after the resignation of Prime Minister Mahindra Rajapakse.
Of course, the implications beyond the country boundary depend on the political and economic roles of the concerned country outside of its boundary and national political situations. Resignation from vital posts such as the Prime Minister and the President especially of countries having significant influence in the international sphere can have significant global impacts. But the transboundary effects also depend on some other factors including the situation of world politics. In war times, it can be more problematic.
Thus, resignation from vital posts is desired in different countries on many occasions but it is not in all situations. But, more importantly, political, economic and other causes of resignation need to be well addressed, no matter whether the concerned authorities resign from vital posts or not (because of some justified reasons). It is also desired that governments take lessons from resignation in different countries and that the culture of resignation through taking the responsibility of failure to effectively function or address significant political and economic problems be developed across countries.
