semipresidentielle

A semipresidential system is a form of democratic government that blends features of both presidential and parliamentary systems. In this structure, there is a president who is directly elected by the people and serves as the head of state, and a prime minister who is appointed by the president and is accountable to the legislature, serving as the head of government. This dual executive creates a unique distribution of power.

The president typically holds significant powers, often including the authority to dismiss the prime minister and the cabinet, dissolve the parliament, and appoint key officials. However, the prime minister and their government are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the country and must maintain the confidence of the legislature. This means that while the president is directly elected and has a fixed term, the prime minister can be removed by a vote of no confidence from parliament.

The specific division of powers between the president and the prime minister can vary considerably from country to country. In some semipresidential systems, the president may wield more executive authority, especially in areas of foreign policy and defense, while the prime minister focuses on domestic affairs. In other cases, the balance of power might lean more towards the prime minister, particularly if the president's party does not control the legislature. This system can lead to periods of cohabitation, where the president and the majority in parliament belong to different political parties, requiring cooperation and negotiation to govern effectively. France is a notable example of a country that operates under a semipresidential system.