The top leader of a country or region is called the head of government. They are in charge of the part of the government that carries out the laws and policies. This leader can have different titles, like Prime Minister, President, or Chancellor, depending on the type of government.
In some countries like the United Kingdom or India, the head of government mainly does ceremonial duties, and there’s another leader called the head of state who has more power. But in places like the United States or absolute monarchies, the head of government is also the head of state and has a lot of power.
The head of government’s job includes:
- Making sure the laws made by the government are followed.
- Appointing the leaders of government departments, like the Cabinet.
- Keeping an eye on how policies and laws are put into action every day.
In a democracy, people usually vote for the head of government directly, or they vote for someone who then chooses the head of government. But in countries that are not very democratic, the head of government might inherit the position, be appointed, or even take it by force, like in monarchies or military dictatorships.