- #1
wasteofo2
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In countries where they have both Prime Ministers and Presidents, WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEM?!
Thank you,
Jacob
Thank you,
Jacob
The differences between Prime Ministers and Presidents.
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the differences between Prime Ministers and Presidents in countries that have both roles. Participants explore the definitions, functions, and political implications of each position, referencing specific examples such as France and Spain.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants assert that the Prime Minister is the Head of Government while the President is the Head of State.
- One participant references the French Constitution, highlighting the President's role in ensuring constitutional observance and appointing the Prime Minister.
- Another participant notes that in a parliamentary system, the President often has ceremonial roles and does not engage in daily government operations, while the Prime Minister leads the cabinet.
- There is a mention of confusion regarding the titles and roles in Spain, with a participant recalling a statement made by a former U.S. President that highlighted this misunderstanding.
- Some participants reiterate the distinction that in certain systems, the President may serve as both Head of State and Head of Government, complicating the comparison.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the roles and powers of Prime Ministers and Presidents, with no consensus reached on the implications of these differences in various political systems.
Contextual Notes
Some statements rely on specific constitutional articles, and there are references to varying roles in different countries, indicating that the discussion is context-dependent and may not apply universally.
- #2
check
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Prime minister = Head of Government.
President = Head of State.
President = Head of State.
- #3
Astronuc
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Consider the Constitution of France
http://www.thisnation.com/library/france.html
A section is devoted to the President, starting after article 4.
Article 5
The President of the Republic shall see that the Constitution is observed. He shall ensure, by his arbitration, the proper functioning of the public authorities and the continuity of the State.
He shall be the guarantor of national independence, territorial integrity and observance of treaties.
Article 7
The President of the Republic shall be elected by an absolute majority of the votes cast. If such a majority is not obtained on the first ballot, a second ballot shall take place on the second following Sunday. Only the two candidates who received the greatest number of votes in the first ballot, account being taken of any withdrawal of candidates with more votes, may stand in the second ballot.
. . . . . more in Article 7
Article 8
The President of the Republic shall appoint the Prime Minister. He shall terminate the appointment of the Prime Minister when the latter tenders the resignation of the Government.
On the proposal of the Prime Minister, he shall appoint the other members of the Government and terminate their appointments.
Article 19
Acts of the President of the Republic, other than those provided for under articles 8 (first paragraph), 11, 12, 16, 18, 54, 56 and 61, shall be countersigned by the Prime Minister and, where required, by the appropriate ministers.
Article 21
The Prime Minister shall direct the operation of the Government. He shall be responsible for national defence. He shall ensure the implementation of legislation. Subject to article 13, he shall have power to make regulations and shall make appointments to civil and military posts.
He may delegate certain of his powers to ministers.
He shall deputize, if the case arises, for the President of the Republic as chairman of the councils and committees referred to in article 15.
He may, in exceptional cases, deputize for him as chairman of a meeting of the Council of Ministers by virtue of an express delegation of powers for a specific agenda.
Article 22
Acts of the Prime Minister shall be countersigned, where required, by the ministers responsible for their implementation.
Parliment is addressed beginning with Article 24.
http://www.thisnation.com/library/france.html
A section is devoted to the President, starting after article 4.
Article 5
The President of the Republic shall see that the Constitution is observed. He shall ensure, by his arbitration, the proper functioning of the public authorities and the continuity of the State.
He shall be the guarantor of national independence, territorial integrity and observance of treaties.
Article 7
The President of the Republic shall be elected by an absolute majority of the votes cast. If such a majority is not obtained on the first ballot, a second ballot shall take place on the second following Sunday. Only the two candidates who received the greatest number of votes in the first ballot, account being taken of any withdrawal of candidates with more votes, may stand in the second ballot.
. . . . . more in Article 7
Article 8
The President of the Republic shall appoint the Prime Minister. He shall terminate the appointment of the Prime Minister when the latter tenders the resignation of the Government.
On the proposal of the Prime Minister, he shall appoint the other members of the Government and terminate their appointments.
Article 19
Acts of the President of the Republic, other than those provided for under articles 8 (first paragraph), 11, 12, 16, 18, 54, 56 and 61, shall be countersigned by the Prime Minister and, where required, by the appropriate ministers.
Article 21
The Prime Minister shall direct the operation of the Government. He shall be responsible for national defence. He shall ensure the implementation of legislation. Subject to article 13, he shall have power to make regulations and shall make appointments to civil and military posts.
He may delegate certain of his powers to ministers.
He shall deputize, if the case arises, for the President of the Republic as chairman of the councils and committees referred to in article 15.
He may, in exceptional cases, deputize for him as chairman of a meeting of the Council of Ministers by virtue of an express delegation of powers for a specific agenda.
Article 22
Acts of the Prime Minister shall be countersigned, where required, by the ministers responsible for their implementation.
Parliment is addressed beginning with Article 24.
- #4
Clausius2
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Now I have remembered the stupid thing that Bush said when he came once to Spain:
...And the president of Spain Mr. Aznar...
That provoked a wave of astonishement to all people, how the hell a president of USA doesn't know what happens in the country he goes?
Here: Mr. Zapatero = Prime Minister (to my sadness)
D. Juan Carlos I=King of Spain and President of the nation.
...And the president of Spain Mr. Aznar...
That provoked a wave of astonishement to all people, how the hell a president of USA doesn't know what happens in the country he goes?
Here: Mr. Zapatero = Prime Minister (to my sadness)
D. Juan Carlos I=King of Spain and President of the nation.
- #5
fourier jr
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check said:
president is head of state AND head of government
prime minister is head of a government with a parliamentary system
in a republic with a parliamentary system (like france) the president usually has only ceremonial roles & doesn't usually get involved in the day-to-day running of the government. the prime minister is just the boss of the cabinet
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- #6
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fourier jr said:
Yes, I am aware of that. I was referring to nations that have both Presidents and Prime Ministers, like waste was asking about.
- #7
selfAdjoint
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Well, I believe France is an example, so you could lok at the politics there.