minor party

American  

noun

1. a political party with so little electoral strength that its chance of gaining control of the government is slight.

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Etymology

Origin of minor party

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

Act, a minor party in the ruling centre-right coalition, argued that there is a need to legally define the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi - the 1840 pact between the British Crown and Māori leaders signed during New Zealand's colonisation - which it said resulted in the country being divided by race.

From BBC

Among voters who were against the ballot initiative and for Gascón, 74% were Democrats while the remaining were independents or registered with a minor party.

From Los Angeles Times

Seymour, who is Māori, heads up the minor party that formed a coalition government with other conservative parties in 2023.

From Salon

But Act - a minor party in the ruling centre-right coalition - say this has resulted in the country being divided by race, and the bill will allow the treaty to be interpreted more fairly through parliament, rather than the courts.

From BBC

The majority said the disputed email was “an unfortunate mistake” but noted the state employee had directed the Green Party to the “Minor Party Qualification Guide,” which set out the required forms for gathering signatures.

From Los Angeles Times

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