Semi-Presidential System
A system with both a directly elected president and a prime minister accountable to parliament, sharing executive power.
Explanation
A semi-presidential system combines elements of presidential and parliamentary governance. The president is directly elected and holds significant powers (typically foreign policy, defense, and the power to dissolve parliament), while the prime minister leads the day-to-day government and is accountable to the legislature. The balance of power between president and PM depends on whether they are politically aligned. When they are from opposing camps, the result is "cohabitation" — forced power-sharing. France is the textbook example; others include Russia (formally), South Korea, and several former French colonies.
Related Countries, Leaders, and Institutions
Browse this term through connected entities in the knowledge graph.
