parlamentarisch

Parlamentarisch is an adjective used in German to denote a relation to a parliament or to a parliamentary system of government. It is commonly applied to describe political structures, procedures, and practices whose legitimacy and functioning derive from the legislative body.

In a parliamentary system, the government is elected by the parliament and depends on its confidence. The head of government (for example the chancellor or prime minister) is typically a member of the legislature, while the head of state is often a separate, largely ceremonial figure. The cabinet is usually responsible to the parliament, and it can be dismissed through motions of no confidence or through representation coalitions realigning. Elections can lead to a new government without a directly elected executive deciding the outcome.

Parlamentarisch contrasts with presidenziell systems, where the president is often separately elected and powers are more distinctly divided between legislature and executive. In parliamentary arrangements, there is a fusion of powers or a closer parliamentary influence over the cabinet, and governments tend to be formed through party coalitions that reflect legislative majorities.

The term also extends to related concepts such as parliamentary democracy, parliamentary republics, and parliamentary monarchies. It can describe procedures and practices—parliamentary debates, motions, votes, and committee work—emphasizing constitutional frameworks in which the legislature plays a central role in governing. The concept is widely used across German-speaking countries to characterize how political authority is organized and exercised within representative institutions.