Many nations around the world use a parliamentary system of government, and each has its own unique form and institutions that shape the way the country functions. In a parliamentary system, the legislative and executive branches are combined into one office, which is led by the prime minister. The judicial branch is independent of the legislature and executive. In most parliamentary systems, laws are passed through a majority vote in parliament.
Some parliamentary systems have a bicameral system with two chambers (or houses) of parliament, while others are unicameral, consisting of only one parliamentary body. A parliamentary system may be either a constitutional monarchy, where there is an hereditary head of state, or a republic, in which case the president or chancellor is elected by the legislature.
The majority party in the parliament selects the prime minister and cabinet ministers, who are responsible for the administration of the nation’s affairs. The premier may be the leader of a political party or coalition, or a neutral figure. The executive branch is usually led by a president or chancellor in a constitutional monarchy, or by a hereditary king or queen in a parliamentary monarchy.
In parliamentary systems that elect representatives using proportional representation with open lists, the ballot includes two votes: one for the constituency seat and one for the party list. Candidates who receive the highest number of first preference votes are elected to a seat; those that fail to meet the required quota are eliminated, and their second preferences are transferred to other candidates until all seats are filled.
About the Author
