A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in U.S. English), is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. Hence, there is no clear-cut separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, leading to criticism from some that they lack checks and balances found in a presidential republic. Parliamentarianism is praised, relative to presidentialism, for its flexibility and responsiveness to the public. It is faulted for its tendency to sometimes lead to unstable governments, as in the German Weimar Republic and the French Fourth Republic. Parliamentary systems usually have a clear differentiation between the head of government and the head of state, with the head of government being the prime minister or premier, and the head of state often being an appointed figurehead with only minor or ceremonial powers. However, some parliamentary systems also have an elected president with many reserve powers as the head of state, providing some balance to these systems.

The term parliamentary system does not mean that a country is ruled by different parties in coalition with each other. Such multi-party arrangements are usually the product of an electoral system known as proportional representation. Parliamentary countries that use first past the post voting usually have governments composed of one party. The United Kingdom, for instance, has had only one coalition government since World War II. However, parliamentary systems of continental Europe do use proportional representation, so, outside the Commonwealth of Nations, it can be said that PR voting systems and parliamentarianism go together.

Parliamentarianism may also be heeded for governance in local governments. An example is the city of Oslo, which has an executive council as a part of the parliamentary system.

More on [ Parliamentary system ]

Parliamentary - Twitter Search

Parliamentary restaurant for the banquet. Could be worse.
gcorneil (Gary Corneil) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:39:53 -0000
Parliamentary restaurant for the banquet. Could be worse.
@WarriorBanker Given Harper's record (eg. deliberately misleading the public about our parliamentary system) I trust the police more. #C391
Canadianmom (Canadianmom) Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:13:22 -0000
@WarriorBanker Given Harper's record (eg. deliberately misleading the public about our parliamentary system) I trust the police more. #C391
Australia for national oceans policy : A new parliamentary report on Australia’s coastal zone confirmed a chang.. http://bit.ly/4kgOXX
marinebiztv (Marine BizTV) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:25:44 -0000
Australia for national oceans policy : A new parliamentary report on Australia’s coastal zone confirmed a chang.. http://bit.ly/4kgOXX
@areyousavvy Parliamentary Debate and Original Oratory
Kheph (Khephran Heru-ra-ha) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:34:40 -0000
@areyousavvy Parliamentary Debate and Original Oratory
1-PCCR agrees on provincial autonomy amendments .....: ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional.. http://bit.ly/1NEtr2
TheBuGz (TheBuGz) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:18:11 -0000
1-PCCR agrees on provincial autonomy amendments .....: ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional.. http://bit.ly/1NEtr2
1-PCCR agrees on provincial autonomy amendments .....: ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Refor... http://bit.ly/6zIbH
Khi (News Online PK) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:16:33 -0000
1-PCCR agrees on provincial autonomy amendments .....: ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Refor... http://bit.ly/6zIbH

Subscribe to Parliamentary RSS feed