Final answer:
One key characteristic that distinguishes presidential systems from parliamentary systems is the separation of powers. In a presidential system, the executive branch (headed by the president) is separate and independent from the legislative branch (parliament or congress). In a parliamentary system, the executive branch (headed by the prime minister) is directly accountable to the legislative branch.
Step-by-step explanation:
One key characteristic that distinguishes presidential systems from parliamentary systems is the separation of powers. In a presidential system, the executive branch (headed by the president) is separate and independent from the legislative branch (parliament or congress). This means that the president is not accountable to or dependent on the legislature for their position. As a result, the president has more independence and can act as a strong, separate entity.
In contrast, in a parliamentary system, the executive branch (headed by the prime minister) is directly accountable to the legislative branch. The prime minister is typically a member of the parliament and is dependent on its support to remain in power. If the prime minister loses the support of the parliament, they may be forced to resign, leading to the formation of a new government.
Another distinguishing characteristic is the way the leader of the executive branch is chosen. In a presidential system, the president is typically elected directly by the people in a separate election. The president serves a fixed term and is not easily removed from office. In a parliamentary system, the prime minister is usually chosen by the parliament after a general election. If the prime minister loses the support of the parliament, a vote of no confidence can be triggered, leading to the appointment of a new prime minister.
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