Parlamentaarne

Parlamentaarne is an Estonian adjective meaning “parliamentary.” In political science, it refers to a system of government in which the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and remains dependent on the support of the parliament. The core principle is that the government must retain the confidence of the legislature; losing that confidence typically leads to the government’s resignation and the formation of a new cabinet or new elections.

Key features include a head of government, usually a prime minister or equivalent, who is typically the leader of the majority party or coalition in parliament. The cabinet is collectively responsible to the parliament, and the legislature approves legislation and the budget. The executive operates within the framework of parliamentary confidence, and changes in government can occur without a direct vote of the people outside of elections. Elections determine the composition of the parliament, which in turn shapes the government, but the terms of government are not fixed in the same way as in some presidential systems.

In parliamentary systems, the head of state is often ceremonial, though powers vary by country. The day-to-day policy and administration are run by the prime minister and cabinet, while accountability to the legislature is central to governance. Regular elections, parliamentary debates, and oversight mechanisms provide democratic control over government action.

The term is used widely in Estonia and in other parliamentary democracies around the world. “Parlamentaarne riigikord” describes such a system of governance where the executive is dependent on, and accountable to, the parliament.