Whats the difference between President and Prime Minister?

Question

I learned that in some countries, the prime minister is the one who really runs the country while the president is for diplomatic roles or for PR only. but how come in russia it seems like President Putin is the powerful guy although they have a prime minister?

Answer 1

I'm not much up on the difference, but from what I can see, the prime minister is elected by their legislative body(ies) and the president is elected by the people.

HOWEVER, that may not be true since the President of China is elected by their legislative body, but they call him the Chairman, whereas internationally they call him the president.

Obviously I'm a bit confused about the difference. But when I think of the difference, I really think of Great Britain and the USA.

Peace

Jim

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Answer 2

A prime minister is the "head of government", meaning that they control the country's administration and executive. The president is the "head of state", which is the person who is formally in charge of the country. Most presidents are also the head of government as well (in countries that have a prime minister, the head of state is usually someone else and is more ceremonial). The exact power between the two varies depending on country, but generally presidents have more power. Prime ministers rule because their political party has a majority in that country's legislature, and hence they need the support of the legislature to keep going. Presidents do not. So for instance, the Canadian PM gets his power because his party has the most seats in the Canadian House of Commons. If he loses the support of the house he has to resign. The US president, however, doesn't have to worry about that (you'll note that Obama is still the president even though the Republicans control the house of representatives) and can keep going until the next election. Some countries have both a president and a PM. If they do, usually the PM is the one who effectively runs things and the president is a ceremonial figure. If they only have one, whichever one they have is usually the one who runs the show.

Answer 3

Essentially they do the same job..

A president is elected by the people to run a country!. Its almost like a chief executive roll with powers varying depending on how good the democracy is in that country!. In the US the presidents roll is head of state, and executive officer, supported by the house or Representatives and congress..

A prime minister is usually an elected leader of political party who have won an election!. In the UK the leaders name is forwarded to the Queen (who is head of the state but has no real law making power)!. who in turn asks the political leader (current incumbent Gordon Brown) to form a government.

There is a blurring of rolls when political leaders like tony Blair make executive decisions without first seeking permission and advice from the cabinet and Parliament! ..

Answer 4

Well technically the Prime Minister is the head minister of the Parliament government while the President is a whole different branch of government.

In real world terms not much difference at all

Answer 5

actually i had the same question, i was talking to with my aunt...she was telling me the same thing the pres does mainly pr and other issues are already decided...

the definition of a prime is is the most senior minister of a cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system.

the definition of a pres is one who presides, who sits in leadership. today it is most commonly refers to an official with executive powers

So i guess it really depends on the country as to where the power lies.

Answer 6

Intellignce and the ability to put coherent conversations together