Elections for this term were held in 69 European electorates between 28 August and 15 September 1879.
Anyone attempting to form an administration thus had to win support directly from individual MPs.
This made first forming, and then retaining a government difficult and challenging.
[2] The Grey Ministry had been in power since 13 October 1877 during the term of the 6th Parliament.
[5] a George Grey was unseated on petition in Christchurch, as he had already been elected in the Thames electorate[54] There were a number of changes during the term of the 7th Parliament.