Parliamentary vs Presidential Democracies

Monarchies and Republics

Presidential Republics and Parliamentary Democracies

Authoritarian and Democratic

Federal and Unitary

Blurred and intertwined

Solid and well-defined

Flexible and adaptable

Non-existent

To hold most of the governmental power

To act as the "Head of Government"

To serve a mostly ceremonial role

To directly elect the Prime Minister

The President

The King or Queen

The Prime Minister

The Speaker of Parliament

By direct popular vote

By a majority coalition in Parliament

By appointment from the Head of State

By a national lottery

A vote of no confidence by the legislature

A recall election by the public

An impeachment process

A resignation initiated by the cabinet

Approval by the legislative branch

A public referendum

Unanimous consent from the existing cabinet

No further action is needed after presidential appointment

Parliamentary elections have fixed dates, presidential elections are sporadic.

Presidential elections are held at the will of the President, parliamentary elections have fixed dates.

Parliamentary elections are more sporadic, often held at the Prime Minister's discretion.

Both systems have elections on fixed dates that can be projected infinitely.