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.
Analogy
Think of a prime minister as the captain of a large ship (the country) where the crew (the parliament or legislative body) can change their captain if they lose confidence in their leadership. In contrast, a presidential system is like appointing a captain for a fixed voyage length regardless of the crew's satisfaction.
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
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