What term describes a temporary government formed when no other authority can establish legitimate control?

• A. Regime
• B. Provisional government
• C. Junta
• D. Interim administration

Answer: (B)

This term describes a temporary governing body set up to fill a political vacuum when no authority can legitimately rule. A provisional government is created to manage state affairs, preserve order, and organize a transition to a stable, recognized authority. It’s understood to be temporary, with the goal of handing power to a more permanent government once elections or a new constitutional framework are established. This fits the scenario where there isn’t a clear, legitimate ruler in place.

It’s different from a regime, which is the ruling government that already holds power and isn’t necessarily temporary. A junta is rule by a small, often military, group that has seized control—again not about a planned transition to legitimacy but about power seizure. Interim administration and provisional government both refer to temporary governance, but the term that most clearly emphasizes governing during a transition until legitimacy is restored is provisional government.