What characterizes a parliamentary democracy?

In a parliamentary democracy, the defining feature is that the executive branch is drawn from the legislative branch, with the legislature or parliament selecting the executive leader, often referred to as the prime minister. This relationship enhances the collaboration between the two branches, allowing for greater cohesion in governance since the executive is typically composed of members of the parliament.

In contrast, a separation of powers is indicative of a presidential system where the executive and legislative branches operate independently. Absolute power held by a president over the legislature suggests an authoritarian system rather than a parliamentary structure where power is shared and checked. Additionally, a parliamentary democracy does not usually have a monarch with governing authority; while some parliamentary systems do have constitutional monarchs, their roles are largely ceremonial, and the real power lies within the elected parliament. Thus, the core of a parliamentary democracy is rooted in the interconnectedness of its legislative and executive arms, making the selection of the executive by the parliament the correct characterization.