Posted by Chester Morton / Thursday 2 March 2017 / No comments
The functions and powers of the Prime Minister in a Parliamentary system of Government
Introduction
A Prime Minister is normally associated with a parliamentary system
of government. He is the senior most minister
of the state. The Prime Minister is responsible for the day-to-day
administration of the country and it is he who forms the government of the day
because his party wins the majority seats in parliament.
THE FUNCTIONS AND
POWERS OF THE PRIME MINISTER
Head of government
The Prime Minister, in a parliamentary system of government,
is the head of government. As the head of government, the Prime Minister
exercises executive powers such as the formulation and implementation of
policies of state.
Leader of the ruling party
The Prime Minister in a parliamentary system of government is
also the leader of the ruling party. At the same time, the Prime Minister is
the leader of the majority party in parliament. After a general election, the
party with the majority seats in parliament forms the next government and the leader
of the party with majority seat in parliament becomes the Prime Minister.
Power to reshuffle cabinet
The Prime Minister is the one who has the authority to
reshuffle his cabinet. In other words, he has the power to remove a member of
his cabinet in a reshuffle. He could also dismiss a minister if that minister
is performing below the standard expected from him.
Chairs meetings
It is the function of the Prime Minister to chair the
meetings of the cabinet. Apart from that, he is the chairman of the meetings of
the executive arm of government.
Link between the Head of State and the cabinet
One of the other functions of the Prime Minister in a cabinet
system of government is that he or she serves as a link between the cabinet and
the Head of State. He brings the concerns of the Head of State to the members
of the cabinet and where the members of the cabinet also have issues the Head
of State needed to aware of, he carries their sentiments to the Head of State.
Representative of his country
The Prime Minister is the key figure that represents the
nation at international forums. Such international forums include the United
Nations General Assembly meetings or any other international gathering of Heads
of State.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. a. Who is a Prime Minister?
b. Describe five
functions and powers of a Prime Minister in a cabinet system of government.
2. Highlight six functions and powers of the Prime Minister
in a Parliamentary system of government.
