The “lame duck” period in politics refers to the period between the election of a new government and the end of the previous government’s term. During this period, outgoing politicians may be perceived as having limited power and limited ability to make decisions that will have long-lasting effects, leading to a number of systemic problems:
Lack of accountability: Outgoing politicians may be more likely to make decisions that are politically expedient in the short term, rather than what is in the best interest of the country in the long term, since they will not be held accountable for the consequences of their actions.
Inability to address pressing issues: The lame duck period can be a time of political gridlock, as outgoing politicians may be reluctant to tackle complex or controversial issues, and incoming politicians may be reluctant to act before they take office.
Delays in policy implementation: The transition period can lead to delays in the implementation of new policies, as outgoing politicians may resist making major changes, and incoming politicians may need time to get up to speed on the issues.
Political polarization: The lame duck period can exacerbate political polarization, as outgoing politicians may be more likely to take extreme positions in an attempt to appeal to their base, and incoming politicians may be more likely to focus on partisan issues rather than working together to address the needs of the country.