Difference between revisions of "Prime Minister"
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| − | In a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is the head of the government, having been elected by the majority party or coalition in parliament. | + | In a parliamentary system, the '''Prime Minister''' is the head of the [[government]], having been elected by the majority party or coalition in [[parliament]]. The term is also used informally to describe a person elected unilaterally by a [[monarch]] to serve in a substitute capacity (see [[viceroy]]). In governmental practice, the Prime Minister does not hold absolute authority (like in the Presidential system); however, the Prime Minister is considered "First among equals." [[Poland]] has both a prime minister and an elected president who holds a powerful veto authority. |
==First Prime Minister== | ==First Prime Minister== | ||
| − | Robert Walpole is generally considered | + | [[Robert Walpole]] is generally considered the first prime minister. Walpole was the prime minister of [[Britain]] between 1721 and 1742. The British prime ministry has served as a model for the heads of government in many [[Commonwealth]] countries, [[Europe]] and [[Japan]]. |
==Roles of a Prime Minister== | ==Roles of a Prime Minister== | ||
| − | The prime minister has appointive powers and is responsible for the government's legislative program, budget, and other policies. His term of office lasts until the next scheduled election or until he loses legislative support. In [[France]] and [[Russia]], which have semipresidential systems with both a president and a prime minister, the [[president]] wields greater power but the prime minister controls the domestic legislative agenda. | + | The prime minister has appointive powers and is responsible for the government's legislative program, budget, and other policies. His or her term of office lasts until the next scheduled election or until he or she loses legislative support by losing a vote in parliament. In [[France]] and [[Russia]], which have semipresidential systems with both a president and a prime minister, the [[president]] wields greater power but the prime minister controls the domestic legislative agenda. |
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| + | ==See also== | ||
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| + | *[[Parliament]] | ||
| + | *[[Prime Minister of Canada]] | ||
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| + | [[Category:International Political Terms]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Prime Ministers]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:26, October 30, 2026
In a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is the head of the government, having been elected by the majority party or coalition in parliament. The term is also used informally to describe a person elected unilaterally by a monarch to serve in a substitute capacity (see viceroy). In governmental practice, the Prime Minister does not hold absolute authority (like in the Presidential system); however, the Prime Minister is considered "First among equals." Poland has both a prime minister and an elected president who holds a powerful veto authority.
First Prime Minister
Robert Walpole is generally considered the first prime minister. Walpole was the prime minister of Britain between 1721 and 1742. The British prime ministry has served as a model for the heads of government in many Commonwealth countries, Europe and Japan.
Roles of a Prime Minister
The prime minister has appointive powers and is responsible for the government's legislative program, budget, and other policies. His or her term of office lasts until the next scheduled election or until he or she loses legislative support by losing a vote in parliament. In France and Russia, which have semipresidential systems with both a president and a prime minister, the president wields greater power but the prime minister controls the domestic legislative agenda.