In countries with a parliamentary system, presidents are typically not directly elected by the populace. Instead, the head of state is often a ceremonial role, with real power residing in the prime minister, who is elected by the legislature. Voters elect representatives to the parliament, and these representatives then choose the prime minister, who leads the government. This system emphasizes party representation, and stable majorities can lead to more coherent policy-making, as the government is directly accountable to the parliament, contrasting with presidential systems.