Parliamentary Republic
A parliamentary republic is a form of government where both executive and legislative powers are primarily held within the parliament. In this system, citizens elect representatives to the legislative body, which is responsible for appointing the executive, often a prime minister. This structure allows for quicker legislative action compared to presidential systems, which require cooperation between a separately elected executive and legislature. Parliamentary republics can effectively limit the concentration of power in a single leader since the executive must work with other legislative members and can be removed by the parliament if necessary.
The specific organization of a parliamentary republic can vary significantly between countries, influenced by their constitutions or legal frameworks. While some executives may have limited powers and serve mainly ceremonial roles, others may have more direct authority. Citizens play an essential role in this system by voting for parliament members, thereby indirectly influencing the selection of the prime minister and governmental policies. Political parties also contribute to this democratic process by shaping legislative agendas and candidate selections. Notable examples of parliamentary republics include countries such as Ireland, Greece, and South Africa.
Parliamentary Republic
Guiding Premise
A parliamentary republic is a system wherein both executive and legislative powers are centralized in the legislature. In such a system, voters elect their national representatives to the parliamentary body, which in turn appoints the executive. In such an environment, legislation is passed more quickly than in a presidential system, which requires a consensus between the executive and legislature. It also enables the legislature to remove the executive in the event the latter does not perform to the satisfaction of the people. Parliamentary republics can also prevent the consolidation of power in a single leader, as even a prime minister must defer some authority to fellow legislative leaders. In 2021, fifty-four countries were parliamentary republics.
Typical Structure
Parliamentary republics vary in structure from nation to nation, according to the respective country’s constitution or other governing document. In general, such a system entails the merger of the legislature and head of state such as a president or other executive. The state may retain the executive, but the executive’s role may be largely ceremonial, as is the case in Greece, where the president has very little political authority. This “outsider” status has in fact enabled the Greek president to act as a diplomatic intermediary among sparring parliamentary leaders.
While many countries with such a system operate with an executive—who may or may not be directly elected, and who typically has limited powers—the bulk of a parliamentary republic’s political authority rests with the legislature. The national government is comprised of democratically elected legislators and their appointees. The length of these representatives’ respective terms, as well as the manner by which the legislators are elected, depend on the frameworks established by each individual nation. Some parliamentary republics utilize a constitution for this purpose, while others use a set of common laws or other legal precepts. In South Africa, members of the parliament’s two chambers, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, are elected differently. The former’s members are elected directly by the citizens in each province, while the latter’s members are installed by the provincial legislatures.
Once elected to parliament, legislators are often charged with more than just lawmaking. In many cases, members of parliament oversee the administration of state affairs as well. Legislative bodies in parliamentary republics are responsible for nominating an executive—typically a prime minister—to manage the government’s various administrative responsibilities. Should the executive not adequately perform its duties, parliament has the power to remove the executive from office. In Ireland, for example, the Dail Eireann (the House of Representatives) is charged with forming the country’s executive branch by nominating the Taoiseach (prime minister) and approving the prime minister’s cabinet selections.
Role of the Citizen
A parliamentary republic is a democratic political system that relies on the involvement of an active electorate. This civic engagement includes a direct or indirect vote for representatives to parliament. While the people do not vote for an executive as well, by way of their vote for parliament, the citizenry indirectly influences the selection of the chief executive and the policies he or she follows. In many countries, the people also indirectly influence the national government by their votes in provincial government. As noted earlier, some countries’ parliaments include chambers whose members are appointed by provincial leaders.
Citizens may also influence the political system through involvement in political parties. Such organizations help shape the platforms of parliamentary majorities as well as selecting candidates for prime minister and other government positions. The significance of political parties varies from nation to nation, but such organizations require the input and involvement of citizens.
Examples
Austria
Iceland
Poland
Bibliography
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“Role of the Oireachtas.” Tithe an Oireachtais, Houses of the Oireachtas, 2022, www.oireachtas.ie/en/visit-and-learn/how-parliament-works/role-of-the-oireachtas/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2022.
Ihalainen, Pasi, et al, editors. Parliament and Parliamentarism: A Comparative History of a European Concept. Berghahn, 2016.
Murse, Tom. "How Does a Parliamentary Government Work?" ThoughtCo, 22 Apr. 2021, www.thoughtco.com/how-parliamentary-government-works-4160918. Accessed 28 Jan. 2022.
“Our Parliament.” Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, www.parliament.gov.za/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2022.
Tagaris, Karolina, and Ingrid Melander. “Greek President Makes Last Push to Avert Elections.” Reuters, 12 May 2012, www.reuters.com/article/us-greece/greek-president-makes-last-push-to-avert-elections-idUSBRE8440DG20120512. Accessed 7 Feb. 2013.