# Stephen Harper avoids 'coup' in financial crisis

> Former PM Stephen Harper describes how he prevented a coalition coup during the 2008 financial meltdown.
- Title: Stephen Harper avoids 'coup' in financial crisis | Shortify
- Summary: Former PM Stephen Harper describes how he prevented a coalition coup during the 2008 financial meltdown.
- Keywords: stephen harper, coalition coup, 2008 financial meltdown, opposition parties, minority government, National Post
- Source: National Post — https://nationalpost.com/editors/afternoon-front-page-77
- Author: National Post
- Published: 2026-11-02T22:42:33+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: stephen harper, coalition coup, 2008 financial meltdown, opposition parties, minority government, news, politics
## Stephen Harper's crisis
Stephen Harper describes the crisis he faced when opposition parties tried to replace his minority government without a vote during the 2008 financial meltdown.
## Coalition coup attempt
Three opposition parties, having lost an election, made a bid to replace Harper's minority government without going to the voters during the 2008 financial crisis.
## Harper's response
Harper avoided a coalition coup by preventing opposition parties from replacing his government without a voter mandate during the 2008 financial crisis.
## Key takeaway

Stephen Harper details how he avoided a coalition coup attempt by opposition parties during the 2008 financial crisis.