The main difference between a parliamentary and presidential system of
government is that in a presidential system, the president is separate
from the legislative body, but in a parliamentary system, the chief
executive, such as a prime minister, is part of the legislative body, or
parliament. A presidential system separates the executive and
legislative functions of the government and provides what are commonly
called checks and balances to limit the power of both the chief
executive and the legislature. In a parliamentary system, the
legislature holds the power, and the chief executive must answer to the
legislature. Another main difference is that in a presidential system,
the chief executive and members of the legislature are elected
separately by the people, but in a parliamentary system, the legislature
is elected by the people and then must appoint or recommend for
appointment one of its members to be the chief executive.
