1. The Executive Branch

2. Revision How would you define a parliament?
What are main functions of parliaments?
What is a welfare state?
What is general representation?

3. Complete the following statements:
The history of parliaments is intrinsically linked to that of ________________.
The powers and roles of parliaments differ according to their political ______________.
The main function traditionally associated with parliaments is ___________________.
Scrutiny plays a key part in the relationship between parliament and ________________.
Representation can be ________________, where the party's parliamentary group is the main representative entity, or ____________________, involving members of parliament.
Parliamentary activity is divided between the plenum and ___________________.

4. The Executive Branch

5. Government and administration
Under the impact of the separation of power theories of the 18th and 19th centuries, government and administration were combined under the heading of the executive – as contrasted with the legislature or parliament.

6. Functions of the government
Initiation of policies
Implementation
Coordination

7. Cabinet
A cabinet is a small group of politicians (mostly ministers responsible for political decision- making). In cabinet governments, individual members hold a collective responsibility, which stipulates that all cabinet members are bound to cabinet decisions. They may disagree with these decisions in private but must agree in public.

8. Prime Minister Head of government Chairman of the cabinet
The power of prime ministers varies significantly across countries, but they are usually more influential in cabinets based on a majority party than in coalition cabinets.

9. Cabinet committees
Cabinet committees usually include relevant ministers and civil servants who prepare filtered suggestions for cabinet decision.
Some committees are composed only of civil servants who aim to iron out problems that might occur among the different government departments.

10. Cabinet secretaries
Cabinet secretaries ensure efficiency in cabinet decision making. They control the flow of proposals coming to and emanating from cabinet meetings and resolve problems over proposed agenda items in advance of cabinet meetings.

11. Read the text carefully and complete the following statements:
In parliamentary systems, the government has several functions, and the most important one is the function of ________________________.
Another important function of government is coordination, as the office of the government leader has to ensure that policies and bills and their implementation are ________________ and do not ________________ each other.
In cabinet governments, individual members hold a ____________________ responsibility, which means that all cabinet members are ____________ to cabinet decisions.
Representativeness means that decision making is in the hands of the _____________ and not, as in the presidential system, in the hands of the leader of the government alone.
Cabinet committees usually include relevant ministers and ________________ who prepare filtered suggestions for cabinet decision.
In a parliamentary government, the cabinet is responsible to _______________________.

12. to initiate ________________________
Fill in appropriate nouns to complete the main powers and duties of government:
to initiate ________________________
to prepare ________________________
to take __________________________
to resolve ________________________
to ensure _________________________
to dissolve ________________________
to call for _________________________

13. Answer key to initiate POLICIES to prepare BILLS to take DECISIONS
to resolve PROBLEMS
to ensure EFFICIENCY
to dissolve PARLIAMENT
to call for NEW ELECTIONS
Translate these collocations!

14. Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F)
Decide whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). If false, provide the correct information.
In parliamentary systems, parliamentary bills are prepared by the executive offices.
Although the power of prime ministers varies significantly across countries, they are usually more influential in coalition cabinets than in those based on a majority party.
In a parliamentary government, parliamentary majorities can topple the government by votes of non-confidence.
Most parliamentary legislation in EU member states is concerned with the implementation of EU recommendations and opinions.

15. Cabinet and parliament
In a parliamentary government, the cabinet is responsible to parliament. There is mutual dependence, contrary to the dualism in a presidential government; parliamentary majorities can topple the government by votes of non-confidence, and government can dissolve parliament and call for new elections.

16. Government of the UK

17. The Government
The British government, commonly known as "Her Majesty’s Government", is the central government of the United Kingdom.
The Government consists of the ministers appointed by the Crown on the recommendation of the Prime Minister
The government runs the country. It has responsibility for developing and implementing policy and for drafting laws.

18. Forming a government
The political party that wins the most seats in a general election forms the new government, led by their party leader who becomes Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister appoints ministers, including the Cabinet, who often work in a government department, and run and develop public services and policies.

19. The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is the head of the government and presides over meetings of the Cabinet
S/He consults and advises the Monarch on government business, supervises and co-ordinates the work of various ministries and departments

20. Formation of Government
Since 1902, the British Prime Minister has always been a serving Member of Parliament, elected to the House of Commons; and most ministers - often all ministers - are members of the House of Commons too.
The Government is formed by the party (or from 2010 to 2015, for example, by the coalition of parties) that has a majority of seats in the House of Commons.

21. The Cabinet
The Cabinet consists of a small group of the most important ministers selected by the Prime Minister
Today the number is 23
The Cabinet determines, controls and integrates the policies of the government for submission to Parliament
Its functions are also to control the government and co-ordinate government departments

22. The Cabinet meetings
The Cabinet meets in private and its deliberations are secret
No vote is taken – all decisions must be unanimous, so collective responsibility is taken for all the decisions made

23. Ministries
The central government ministries and departments give effect to government policies
Their powers and duties derive from the legislation
Each is headed by a Minister who is a member of the House of Lords or the House of Commons

24. Ministers There are over 100 ministers of the Crown:
departmental ministers
non-departmental ministers
ministers of state
junior ministers

25. Scrutiny of the government
The Government of the United Kingdom is accountable to the Parliament, a principle known as "responsible government".
Parliament checks the work of the government on behalf of UK citizens through investigative select committees and by asking government ministers questions.
The House of Commons also has to approve proposals for government taxes and spending.

26. Head of state
The monarch, who is currently Queen Elizabeth II, is the head of state. She plays a minor role in governing the country with the Crown remaining the source of the executive power exercised by the government.
The Crown possesses the Royal Prerogative which can be exercised for several purposes including issuing and withdrawing passports and declaring war against an external enemy.

27. Weekly meetings
The prime minister, who is the head of the UK government, has a weekly meeting with the Queen where the queen can express her views on Government matters. The meetings are strictly confidential.

28. Translate the following:
Parliament’s task is to ensure that government is run effectively and efficiently, prevent corruption and hold ministers to account for their actions. It does this by scrutinising the work of government departments, individual ministers and government agencies.

29. Suggested translation
Zadatak parlamenta je da omogući učinkovito i uspješno funkcioniranje vlade, da spriječi korupciju i da mu ministri polažu račune za svoje poteze. Parlament to radi tako što ispituje rad vladinih odbora, ministara i vladinih agencija.

30. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words from the list below:
support, policy, confidence, account, house, committee
The prime minister and other senior ministers form the Cabinet, which is the top-most decision making _______________. The ministers are accountable to the Parliament which they also sit in while the government is dependent on the Parliament for ______________ making. The government is expected to maintain the ______________ of the House of Commons since it requires its ______________ for the passing of primary legislations. If the government loses the confidence of the lower ______________, it is forced to either resign or a General Election is held. The members of Parliament have an opportunity to put the prime minister to _____________ during the Prime Minister’s Question Time.

31. Answer key
The prime minister and other senior ministers form the Cabinet, which is the top-most decision making COMMITTEE. The ministers are accountable to the Parliament which they also sit in while the government is dependent on the Parliament for POLICY making. The government is expected to maintain the CONFIDENCE of the House of Commons since it requires its SUPPORT for the passing of primary legislations. If the government loses the confidence of the lower HOUSE, it is forced to either resign or a General Election is held. The members of Parliament have an opportunity to put the prime minister to ACCOUNT during the Prime Minister’s Question Time.

32. Thank you for your attention!