The demerits of coalition government are as follows : 

(a) Due to the presence of various party leaders believing in different ideologies and policies political consistency is difficult to achieve. Hence political instability persists. 

(b) As coalition is the result of mutual consent, heads of government have no say in the formation of their own cabinet and in the formation of national policies or programmes.

(c) In the parliamentary system of government as each coalition partner has its own specific electorate and has assured specific schemes and programmes.

(d) Collective responsibility is a casualty. The ministry has to act as a unit. But in coalition government, this cannot happen. Hence, no one shoulders the responsibility for mismanagement and maladministration.

(e) Official secrecy cannot be maintained. Decisions taken in cabinet which are sensitive in nature are disclosed by its own signatories who cannot be curtailed by the government.