Forsetakerfi

Forsetakerfi, a term used in Icelandic political science, refers to the presidential system of government. The defining feature is the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judiciary, with checks and balances intended to prevent the concentration of authority.

In a typical forsetakerfi, the president is elected for a fixed term and cannot be easily removed by the legislature except through a defined impeachment process. The president appoints cabinet members, who supervise the administrative ministries, often with some form of legislative confirmation. The legislature and the president operate with independent authority, and the president's veto may be subject to override by the legislature.

Presidential systems vary in practice. In a pure presidential system, the president is not a member of the legislature. However, many countries have political alignments where legislators and the president come from the same or different parties, affecting governance and coalition dynamics. The system contrasts with parliamentary systems, where the prime minister is typically drawn from the legislature and remains in office only while retaining parliamentary confidence.

Common examples include the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Some states employ a semi-presidential variant, in which a president shares executive responsibilities with a prime minister or equivalent figure. Pros of forsetakerfi include clear accountability and stable fixed terms; drawbacks can include legislative deadlock and the potential for power to concentrate if checks and impeachment processes are weak.