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The Concept and
Classification
of Semi-Presidential
System of
Government
MALKHAZ NAKASHIDZE
Assistant Professor
Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University
The present paper canvasses the concept of semi-presidential system,
its main characteristics and presents the classification of this system.
The system of governance is considered to be semi-presidential if
the Constitution provides for three components: a) The direct election
of the President of the Republic; b) The President possesses
significant powers; 3) The Prime Minister and Ministers are the
opposition to the President and are in charge of the Executive Power
and will remain in power till the Parliament opposes them.
Besides this general definition, the system of semi-presidential
government has other significant features which provide for
classification of this system into various models. The classification of
semi-presidential government is expounded by the modern scientists,
such as by Duverger, Shugart and Carey, Elgie, Skatch and Tsay in the
research papers. The first researcher of the system, Duverger identified
three types of semi-presidential system: 1) The system with the
“symbolic President” (Austria, Ireland and Island); 2. The system with
the “President with full powers” (France); 3. The system, where the
President and the Government balance each other (Weimer German,
Finland and Portugal). According to Duverger the classification is based
on the President’s powers, the party system, and the context of creating
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