Heads of State in Legislation?

Question

Are there countries where the Head of State or Government participates in the Legislative body?

Answer 1

Hi Chris,

This is a good question. The answer is, "no," there are no examples on earth where a Head of State participates in the legislature.

As your question implies, you obviously know that there are numerous examples of Heads of Government who are in legislature (every Prime Minister in the world is a member of his nation's national legislature); but not Heads of State.

The reason you can be certain of this is because of the definition of a Head of State. By definition, the HOS is the sole representation of the nation. He/She is the embodiment of the nation, and it's chief representative to the world. Since this is the case, the HOS cannot be simply one voice among many (as is the case with everyone in a legislature). By definition, the HOS must therefore stand alone and apart

If you think about it -- the two concepts of being HOS and in the legislature just couldn't work together.

The function of the HOS is ceremonial and official, and that's why the distance is necessary. The HOG creates government policy, which requires a close cooperation with the legislature. And that's why Prime Ministers are always in the legislatures.

Super question. Cheers, mate.

Answer 2

Dictators as head of state also as makes the laws.