In a parliamentary democracy, the government is elected from the legislature and is typically led by a Prime Minister, while a presidential democracy features a separation of powers with a directly elected president. In a parliamentary system, the executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislative body and can be dismissed by it, fostering collaboration. Conversely, in a presidential system, the president has fixed terms and independent powers, leading to potential gridlock between branches of government. Electoral processes, party systems, and governance styles differ greatly in these democracies, impacting political accountability and policy execution.