<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (December 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> A number of key theoretical differences exist between a presidential and a parliamentary system: </P> <Ul> <Li> In a presidential system, the central principle is that the legislative and executive branches of government are separate . This leads to the separate election of president, who is elected to office for a fixed term, and only removable for gross misdemeanor by impeachment and dismissal . In addition he or she does not need to choose cabinet members commanding the support of the legislature . By contrast, in parliamentarianism, the executive branch is led by a council of ministers, headed by a Prime Minister, who are directly accountable to the legislature and often have their background in the legislature (regardless of whether it is called a "parliament", an "assembly", a "diet", or a "chamber"). </Li> <Li> As with the president's set term of office, the legislature also exists for a set term of office and cannot be dissolved ahead of schedule . By contrast, in parliamentary systems, the prime minister needs to survive a vote of confidence otherwise a new election must be called . The legislature can typically be dissolved at any stage during its life by the head of state, usually on the advice of either Prime Minister alone, by the Prime Minister and cabinet, or by the cabinet . </Li> <Li> In a presidential system, the president usually has special privileges in the enactment of legislation, namely the possession of a power of veto over legislation of bills, in some cases subject to the power of the legislature by weighted majority to override the veto . The legislature and the president are thus expected to serve as checks and balances on each other's powers . </Li> <Li> Presidential system presidents may also be given a great deal of constitutional authority in the exercise of the office of Commander in Chief, a constitutional title given to most presidents . In addition, the presidential power to receive ambassadors as head of state is usually interpreted as giving the president broad powers to conduct foreign policy . Though semi-presidential systems may reduce a president's power over day - to - day government affairs, semi-presidential systems commonly give the president power over foreign policy . </Li> </Ul> <Li> In a presidential system, the central principle is that the legislative and executive branches of government are separate . This leads to the separate election of president, who is elected to office for a fixed term, and only removable for gross misdemeanor by impeachment and dismissal . In addition he or she does not need to choose cabinet members commanding the support of the legislature . By contrast, in parliamentarianism, the executive branch is led by a council of ministers, headed by a Prime Minister, who are directly accountable to the legislature and often have their background in the legislature (regardless of whether it is called a "parliament", an "assembly", a "diet", or a "chamber"). </Li>

Features of presidential system of government in usa