What is the executive branch of government?
Q: What is the executive branch of government?
A: The executive branch of government is responsible for the day-to-day management of the state. It is also referred to as the executive power or executive branch.
Q: What is the role of the executive in terms of making and interpreting laws?
A: Under the doctrine of separation of powers, the executive is not supposed to make laws (role of legislature) nor interpret them (role of judiciary). The executive's role is to put laws into action.
Q: Who leads the executive?
A: The head of government leads the executive. This person may be a President in a presidential system or Prime Minister in a parliamentary system.
Q: Who assists the head of government in leading the executive?
A: The head of government is assisted by ministers who have responsibilities for particular areas such as health, education, and foreign affairs, as well as many civil servants and other government employees.
Q: Are there any countries that share power between their President and Prime Minister?
A: Yes, France has reproduced this system in some former French colonies such as Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Q: How does this shared power work between Presidents and Prime Ministers?
A: In these countries with shared power between Presidents and Prime Ministers, both are involved in making decisions related to governing their respective countries.
