VicePresident

The vice president is typically the second-highest executive official in a republic or in an organization, serving as the primary deputy to the president or chief executive. The term derives from the Latin vice “in place of” and emphasizes the role as a substitute or successor. The office is usually established by a constitution or statute, and its specific duties vary by country and system.

In government, the vice president often acts as a successor-in-waiting and may hold additional responsibilities such as representing the administration, coordinating policy, or performing ceremonial duties. In presidential systems, the vice president is usually elected on a joint ticket with the president and may have a defined constitutional role beyond succession.

In the United States, the vice president is the President of the Senate, casting a vote only to break a tie. The vice president ascends to the presidency if the current president dies, resigns, is removed, or is otherwise unable to serve. The line of succession continues with the Speaker of the House, the president pro tempore of the Senate, and then the cabinet secretaries in order of creation, as established by law.

Variations occur worldwide. Some countries use the title deputy president or deputy prime minister rather than vice president; in others, the role is largely ceremonial with limited constitutional duties, such as ex officio chairing a parliamentary body. In corporate or organizational contexts, a vice president is a senior officer responsible for a specific function or division, often with several ranks (vice president, executive vice president, senior vice president) and reporting to the chief executive officer.