FPTP is not giving us stability although that is the reason to have it - and just about the only reason to have it.
Instability is shown by the number of un-necessary elections held in a country, un-necessary being those held before the government has survived the usual length of term. In Canada the usual length of term is four years, but five years is allowed by the Constitution. Very few governments have stayed in power longer than four years, although it is allowed in the Constitution.
Canada has held more elections in the last 32 years than many PR countries although PR is said to create instability and Canada's First Past The Post system is said to create stability.
Number of parliamentary general elections since 1990
Ireland PR-STV 7 (1992 1997 2002 07 11 16 2020)
Switzerland PR* 8 (1991 95 99 03 07 11 15 2019)
Malta PR-STV 8 (1992 97 99 03 08 13 17 22)
Italy PR 8 (1992 94 96 01 6 8 13 18)
Sweden PR 8 (1991 94 98 02 06 10 14 18)
Canada FPTP 10 (1993 97 00 04 06 08 11 15 19 21)
Who is unstable?
Which system produces stability?
*Swiss elections (National Council) are canton-based
Three cantons are single member so no PR there.
All others elected mixed representation.
Cantons set their own electoral system as long as it is democratic.
Whether by virtue of system used or the votes cast in 2019, some cantons elected one each for the four leading parties while others produced varying seats counts for parties with representation.
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