Question

Explain co-relation between the following.

Legislature and Executive in parliamentary system.

Explain the relationship between the Legislature and Executive.

Answer 1

• In a parliamentary system, there is a fusion of legislative and executive functions. The real executive, i.e., the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, is drawn from the Legislature. There is no separate election for the post of Prime Minister or other Ministers.
• The Prime Minister and Ministers play a dual role; they are a part of both the Legislature and the Executive. As members of the legislature, they also attend parliamentary sessions and participate in debates and decision-making.
• The leader of the party or group that commands a majority in the legislature is invited by the nominal executive (the President) to form the government and take charge as the Prime Minister. The Ministry remains in power only as long as it retains the confidence of the legislature.
• The lower house of the Parliament in England (House of Commons) and in India (Lok Sabha) can pass a vote of no confidence against the Ministry. If this happens, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are constitutionally bound to resign.
• This reflects the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, where the executive is subordinate to and accountable to the Parliament (legislature), making the legislature the source of the executive’s authority.