U.K. Prime Minister Calls an Early Election -- But She Has One Hurdle to Get Past First

U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May has called an early election. However, there is one major hurdle she has to get over first. 

The U.K. introduced fixed term parliaments in 2011, which means that parliamentary terms last five years unless one of two things happens. The first option to get around the law is that the House of Commons passes a vote of "no confidence" in the government. An option that is likely to reflect poorly on the governing party.

The second option, which the prime minister has chosen, is to hold a vote in the House of Commons. This requires two-thirds of the members of parliament to vote for an early election. While it is almost certain that the prime minister will be able to clear this hurdle, it does make the job of calling an early election slightly more challenging.