Pääministerijärjestelmä

Pääministerijärjestelmä, also known as a parliamentary system, is a form of democratic government where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is held accountable to the legislature. In such a system, the head of government, typically called the prime minister, is usually the leader of the majority party or coalition in parliament. The prime minister and their cabinet are collectively responsible to the parliament. This means they can be removed from office through a vote of no confidence.

The head of state in a pääministerijärjestelmä is often a separate figure, such as a president or monarch, whose role is largely ceremonial. The head of state typically appoints the prime minister, but this appointment is usually based on the parliamentary majority. The prime minister then forms a government, selecting ministers who are often also members of parliament. The government's primary role is to implement legislation passed by the parliament and to manage the day-to-day affairs of the country.

Key features of a pääministerijärjestelmä include the fusion of powers between the executive and legislative branches, as opposed to the separation of powers found in presidential systems. This close relationship allows for greater responsiveness and flexibility in governance, as the government can be quickly changed if it loses the confidence of the parliament. However, it can also lead to instability if there are frequent changes in parliamentary majorities or coalition governments. Many European countries, as well as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, operate under a parliamentary system.