Editing Constitution (section)

=== Separation of powers ===
{{Main|Separation of powers}}

Constitutions usually explicitly divide power between various branches of government. The standard model, described by the [[Charles de Secondat, baron de Montesquieu|Baron de Montesquieu]], involves three branches of government: [[executive branch|executive]], [[legislature|legislative]] and [[judiciary|judicial]]. Some constitutions include additional branches, such as an [[audit|auditory branch]]. Constitutions vary extensively as to the degree of separation of powers between these branches.

====Accountability====
In [[Presidential system|presidential]] and [[semi-presidential]] systems of government, department secretaries/ministers are accountable to the [[President (government title)|president]], who has patronage powers to appoint and dismiss ministers. The president is accountable to the people in an election.

In [[parliamentary]] systems, Cabinet Ministers are accountable to [[Parliament]], but it is the [[prime minister]] who appoints and dismisses them. In the case of the United Kingdom and other countries with a monarchy, it is the monarch who appoints and dismisses ministers, on the advice of the prime minister. In turn the prime minister will resign if the government loses the confidence of the parliament (or a part of it). Confidence can be lost if the government loses a [[vote of no confidence]] or, depending on the country,<ref>A synchronic comparative perspective were before the founding fathers of Italian Constitution, when they were faced with the question of bicameralism and related issues of confidence and the legislative procedure, {{cite journal|last1=Buonomo|first1=Giampiero|date=2013|title=Il bicameralismo tra due modelli mancati|url=https://www.questia.com/projects#!/project/89409110|journal=L'Ago e Il Filo Edizione Online|access-date=April 10, 2016|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324160801/https://www.questia.com/projects#!/project/89409110|url-status=dead}}</ref> loses a particularly important vote in parliament, such as vote on the budget. When a government loses confidence, it stays in office until a new government is formed; something which normally but not necessarily required the holding of a general election.

==== Other independent institutions ====
Other independent institutions which some constitutions have set out include a [[central bank]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Read about "Central bank" on Constitute|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/search?lang=en&key=bank&status=in_force&status=is_draft|website=www.constituteproject.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> an [[List of anti-corruption agencies|anti-corruption commission]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Read about "Counter corruption commission" on Constitute|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/search?lang=en&key=cc&status=in_force&status=is_draft|website=www.constituteproject.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> an [[Election commission|electoral commission]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Read about "Electoral commission" on Constitute|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/search?lang=en&key=ecom&status=in_force&status=is_draft|website=www.constituteproject.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> a judicial oversight body,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Read about "Establishment of judicial council" on Constitute|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/search?lang=en&key=jc&status=in_force&status=is_draft|website=www.constituteproject.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> a [[human rights commission]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Read about "Human rights commission" on Constitute|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/search?lang=en&key=hr&status=in_force&status=is_draft|website=www.constituteproject.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> a media commission,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Read about "Media commission" on Constitute|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/search?lang=en&key=medcom&status=in_force&status=is_draft|website=www.constituteproject.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> an [[ombudsman]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Read about "Ombudsman" on Constitute|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/search?lang=en&key=ombuds&status=in_force&status=is_draft|website=www.constituteproject.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref> and a [[truth and reconciliation commission]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Read about "Truth and reconciliation commission" on Constitute|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/search?lang=en&key=truthcom&status=in_force&status=is_draft|website=www.constituteproject.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-05}}</ref>