4.5. Prime Ministerial Form of Government

The role of the Prime Minister in the parliamentary form of government is so significant and crucial that observers like to call it a ‘Prime Ministerial government.’. Further, sometimes the Prime Minister can have a powerful national image, thereby, attracting huge votes and further alleviate his standing. It is then argued to have led to transformation of cabinet government into Prime Ministerial government.

In this form of government, the Prime Minister dominates the executive. This is usually the case when there is a single party government in power and the Prime Minister is the unquestionable leader of the party. In such a scenario, the decisions of the Prime Minister are usually approved by the Cabinet. However, they may not be collective decisions, in the true sense of the term. Such form of government may have following advantages and disadvantages:

In Germany, the powerful position of the Chancellor diminishes the role of the cabinet. The prime ministerial government in Germany is called the “Chancellor Democracy.” The Chancellor answers to Parliament and the ministers answer to him/her. But the Indian Prime Minister is accountable to Parliament, to the people, and to his/her own party. Article 74(1) of our Constitution expressly states that the Prime Minister shall be “at the head” of the Council of Ministers and should aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions