The prime minister, Ivar Asjes of the Pueblo Soberano (PS), leads a coalition government and a nine-member cabinet. The coalition holds only a one-seat majority in the Staten (the legislature), which was achieved only after months of political manoeuvring following the October 2012 election. As a result, Mr Asjes faces an uphill struggle to maintain coalition unity and momentum for reforms in 2015. He survived calls for his resignation in August 2014 following the defeat in the legislature of a government proposal for an anti-terrorism and sanctions bill, but pressure for his resignation could easily build again. Adherence by the government to a reform agenda including unpopular changes to public pension entitlements, the education and healthcare systems and tax reform could easily be derailed by special-interest groups, and the coalition's ability to govern effectively will diminish as the 2016 general election approaches. There is a risk that Mr Asjes will be unable to complete his term, in the event that the coalition collapses. The business environment will also continue to be hampered by political and policy uncertainty.

The fragile coalition between the PS (with five seats), Partido pa Adelanto i Inovashon Soshal (PAIS, four seats) and Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP, one seat) is viable only because one of the four legislators elected for the opposition Partido Antiá Restrukturá (PAR) defected and joined the government as an independent. The Economist Intelligence Unit therefore expects a turbulent and fragmented political scene to remain a major impediment to consensual policymaking, keeping risks to political stability high until the next election is held. Risks also emanate from ongoing legal action concerning allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds. This affects the opposition Movementu Futuro Kòrsou (MFK) party in particular, owing to an investigation into its former leader, Gerrit Schotte, the previous prime minister (2010-12).