Parliamentary system

A system of government in which the executive depends on the confidence of the legislature, typically a parliament, to remain in office.

Parliamentary confidence: Legislative support that allows a government to remain in office under a parliamentary system. A government that loses confidence may have to resign or seek an election.
Parliament: A representative legislature that debates and enacts laws, scrutinizes government, and authorizes public spending. The legislature is the institution whose confidence sustains the executive.
Presidential system: A system in which a separately elected president leads the executive for a fixed term and does not depend on legislative confidence to remain in office. Its executive’s tenure is institutionally separate from the legislature’s confidence.
Westminster system: A parliamentary model associated with the United Kingdom, featuring cabinet government and executive accountability to the elected chamber. It is a prominent version of parliamentary government, with conventions shaped by British practice.
Vote of no confidence: A legislative vote declaring that a government no longer commands sufficient support to govern. It is the formal route by which parliament can withdraw support and remove a government.
Cabinet: A senior body of ministers that directs government policy and administration under a prime minister or equivalent. Cabinet is the central collective body of a parliamentary executive.
Semi-presidential system: A system with both a popularly elected president and a prime minister responsible to the legislature. It combines parliamentary accountability with a separately elected executive president.
United Kingdom Parliament: The United Kingdom’s legislature, consisting of the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Crown. The Commons’ ability to sustain or reject the government illustrates parliamentary confidence.
Government formation: The process of selecting ministers and assembling a government after an election or resignation. The process turns parliamentary seat totals into an executive able to command confidence.
Prime minister: The head of government in many parliamentary systems, usually leading the cabinet and governing party or coalition. The prime minister typically leads the executive whose tenure depends on legislative support.

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