Semiprezidenial

Semiprezidenial is a form of government in which a president and a prime minister share executive power within a constitutional framework. The president typically serves as head of state and is elected to represent the country and oversee certain powers, while the prime minister or equivalent heads the government and is responsible for daily administration and running the cabinet. The exact division of powers varies by country, but most models assign the president responsibilities in foreign policy, defense, and symbolic duties, with the prime minister handling domestic policy and day-to-day governance.

Two main variants are common. In premier-presidential systems, the prime minister is the chief executive for domestic affairs and must maintain the confidence of the legislature, while the president has more limited influence over day-to-day policy. In president-parliamentary systems, the president retains greater autonomy and some formal powers to appoint or dismiss the prime minister, with both executives sharing governance in a way that depends on constitutional provisions and political practice.

The hybrid structure can produce cycles of power-sharing or tension known as cohabitation, when the president and the parliamentary majority come from opposing parties. This can constrain or recalibrate policy direction, particularly in domestic matters, while foreign and defense policy may remain more presidentially driven.

France is the prototypical example of a semi-presidential system since the late 1950s. Other countries with semi-presidential arrangements include Finland, Portugal, Romania, and Moldova, each giving a direct-elected president a formal role alongside a prime minister and cabinet. Proponents highlight the blend of democratic legitimacy and parliamentary accountability; critics warn of potential instability or ambiguity in executive authority.