What system of government is characterized by the legislature selecting the prime minister or president?

The parliamentary system is characterized by the legislature, or parliament, having the authority to select the prime minister or president. In this system, the head of government is typically a member of the legislature and derives their legitimacy from the support of the parliamentary majority. This close relationship between the legislative and executive branches allows for a more streamlined process in passing laws and policies, as the executive is directly accountable to the legislature.

In contrast, a presidential system has a clear separation of powers, where the president is elected independently from the legislative body. In a monarchy, leadership is generally hereditary rather than elected, and in a dictatorship, power is concentrated in the hands of an individual or a small group, often without any democratic selection process. These distinctions make it clear that the parliamentary system uniquely features the legislature's role in selecting the head of government, establishing a collaborative relationship between the two branches.