An example of a captive legislature enabling democratic erosion is the legislature of Hungary after Fidesz won a supermajority in 2010. Because Fidesz had over ⅔ of the seats, they were able to pass a host of reforms—including a new Constitution—that concentrated power in the executive. Similarly, when Law and Justice won a majority in Poland, they were able to rubber stamp legislation that their party leader wanted, even if they did not have the supermajority necessary to introduce a new Constitution.

Captive Legislatures in East-Central Europe

Captive legislatures—legislatures controlled by an autocratic party—can approve executive appointments to oversight bodies, pass laws changing the electoral system, and even pass constitutional amendments granting an autocrat more political power. 

Wesleyan University

Controlling the legislature is necessary for autocrats to pass laws to their benefit. The most straightforward way to control the legislature is through winning an outright majority in legislative elections, though autocratic parties can form coalitions with other parties as well.

Controlling the Legislature

Haggard, S. & Kaufman, R. R. (2021). Backsliding: Democratic Regress in the Contemporary World. New York: Cambridge University Press.

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