Prime Minister

Prime Minister

Introduction to Prime Minister

Prime Minister or Premier in government, the highest ranking minister and in practice often the chief executive, even though a nation’s constitution might provide for a king (monarchy) or a president (republic) as head of state. In most instances the prime minister is the chief formulator of governmental policy. The office of prime minister is particularly associated with the parliamentary system of government, and it is commonly held by the leader of the majority party or of a coalition of political parties. He or she is assisted by a cabinet and is responsible to the legislature. The legislature either elects or approves the prime minister and, when a majority of its members oppose government policies, may force him or her out of office.

In Canada the designation prime minister has traditionally been reserved for the leader of the Canadian government, and the term premier has been used to describe a leader of one of the ten provincial governments. The leader of the Québec Province government is called prime minister, however, as was the Ontario leader until 1972. In France today the powers of the premier are secondary to those of the president of the republic. In Germany the prime minister is known as chancellor. In the United States the office of president is a combination of prime minister and head of state.” (1)

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Guide to Prime Minister


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