key term - Prime minister

Definition

A prime minister is the head of government in a parliamentary democracy, responsible for running the country's administration and leading the executive branch. Unlike a president in a presidential system, a prime minister usually must maintain the support of the legislature and their political party to stay in office.

Related terms

Parliamentary Democracy: A form of government where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature; the two branches are interdependent.

Presidential System:

A democratic form of government where the president serves as both head of state and head of government, separate from the legislative branch.

Vote of No Confidence:

A parliamentary motion that, if passed, indicates that the elected representatives no longer trust the current government's ability to govern, often leading to resignations or early elections