Editing Parliament (section)

==Parliamentary system==
[[File:Unibicameral Map.svg|upright=1.6|thumb|right|{{legend|#37abc8|Nations with a bicameral legislature.}}{{legend|#ff9955|Nations with a unicameral legislature.}}{{legend|#000000|Nations with no legislature.}}]]
Many parliaments are part of a [[parliamentary system]] of government, in which the [[executive branch|executive]] is constitutionally answerable to the parliament from the genetic moment of the birth of Government ([[Motion of confidence]]), to the final moment of his termination ([[Motion of no confidence]]), through all the commitments that can be added to the [[Confidence and supply|government contract]] from time to time through [[Motion (parliamentary procedure)|motions]] and [[Resolution (law)|resolutions]].<ref>For the latter instruments see Giampiero Buonomo, [https://www.questionegiustizia.it/data/doc/2982/163358983718572.pdf ''La crescente procedimentalizzazione dell’atto parlamentare di indirizzo politico''], Questione giustizia, 7 ottobre 2021.</ref> Some restrict the use of the word ''parliament'' to parliamentary systems, while others use the word for any elected legislative body. Parliaments usually consist of ''[[Chambers of parliament|chambers]]'' or ''houses'', and are usually either [[bicameralism|bicameral]] or [[unicameralism|unicameral]] although more complex models exist, or have existed (''see [[Tricameralism]]'').

In some parliamentary systems, the [[prime minister]] is a member of the parliament (e.g. [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|in the United Kingdom]]), whereas in others they are not (e.g. [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands|in the Netherlands]]). They are commonly the leader of the majority party in the lower house of parliament, but only hold the office as long as the "confidence of the house" is maintained. If members of the lower house lose faith in the leader for whatever reason, they can call a [[vote of no confidence]] and force the prime minister to resign.

This can be particularly dangerous to a government when the distribution of seats among different parties is relatively even, in which case a new election is often called shortly thereafter. However, in case of general discontent with the head of government, their replacement can be made very smoothly without all the complications that it represents in the case of a presidential system.

The parliamentary system can be contrasted with a [[presidential system]], such as the [[United States Congress|American congressional system]], which operates under a stricter [[separation of powers]], whereby the executive does not form part of, nor is it appointed by, the parliamentary or legislative body. In such a system, congresses do not select or dismiss [[head of government|heads of governments]], and governments cannot request an early dissolution as may be the case for parliaments. Some states, such as [[France]], have a [[semi-presidential system]] which falls between parliamentary and congressional systems, combining a powerful head of state (president) with a head of government, the prime minister, who is responsible to parliament.