Presidential systems executive power = president legislative power = unicameral or bicameral parliament both have legitimacy derived from people
USA
president is the only executive, the only one responsible president is also the prime minister and the lead symbol of the state president cannot dissolve (rozpustit) parliament parliament cannot dismiss president (only impeachment) system of checks and balances – limits of powers – absolute separation of powers
Hard to say who wins, if there is a conflict between the president and the parliament, because they have the same legitimacy. Army decides many times. That’s why this system isn’t good for new democratic states.
In 1995
Conflict in USA: President Clinton vs. Congress. Budgetary question. Clinton wanted a socially friendly budget (it was close to elections). Congress changed it to an unfriendly budget. Clinton used veto and proposed again – all the same again and again. It was not signed at all. Clinton had no money – state administration was closed. No state officials at all. At the end Clinton signed the proposal of Republicans. Who won? US-opinion is that Clinton won, because he accepted compromise and so is a responsible politician. Parliamentary systems head of state = president or monarch - legitimacy derived from the parliament monarch- very limited power, symbol of the state executive power = prime minister + cabinet legislative power = parliament parliament is elected directly prime minister with his cabinet has to pass the “vote of confidence” (normally at the beginning) on the other hand they can face the “vote of no-confidence” president can dissolve the parliament parliamentary systems are normally stable example: CR, GER, HUN, IT
Semi-presidential systems executive power = president + prime minister legislative power = parliament president and parliament are both directly elected president is mostly weak – Slovakia, Poland, Ireland, Iceland,