Ceremonial and executive powers are fused in the parliamentary system of government. In this system, the ceremonial head of state (such as a monarch or president) and the executive head of government (such as a prime minister) are often the same person or institution. While the head of state has ceremonial duties, the head of government is responsible for running the country and making decisions on behalf of the government. This system is different from the presidential system of government, where the ceremonial and executive powers are separate, and the president is the head of the executive branch.