Semi-presidentialism in Europe

"Semi-Presidentialism is the term used to describe the constitutional arrangement where there is a directly elected president and a prime minister who is responsible to parliament. Examples of semi-presidential regimes include France, Republic of Ireland, Finland, Austria, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine. These countries share certain constitutional features, but the exercise of presidential and prime ministerial power varies greatly from one to another. Semi-presidentialism in Europe examines the politics of semi-presidentialism and explores why it is that seemingly similar political systems operate in such different ways. The book also examines the constitutional powers of political leaders, the role of political parties, and the importance of past precedent."--Jacket.