View source for Head of state

{{Short description|Public persona of a sovereign state}}
{{Hatnote group|
{{Distinguish|Head of government}}
{{About|the type of political position|other uses|Head of state (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use British English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Politics sidebar|expanded=Subseries}}
{{Executive}}
A '''head of state''' is the public [[persona]] of a [[sovereign state]].<ref name="Foakes2014">[[#Foakes|Foakes]], pp. 110–11 "[The head of state] being an embodiment of the State itself or representative of its international persona."</ref> The name given to the office of head of state depends on the country's form of [[government]] and any [[separation of powers]]; the powers of the office in each country range from being also the [[head of government]] to being little more than a [[ceremonial]] [[figurehead]].

In a [[parliamentary system]], such as [[Politics of India|India]] or the [[Politics of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]], the head of state usually has mostly ceremonial powers, with a separate head of government.<ref>[[#Foakes|Foakes]], p. 62</ref> However, in [[Presidential parliamentary republic|some parliamentary systems]], like [[Politics of South Africa|South Africa]], there is an executive president that is both head of state and head of government. Likewise, in some parliamentary systems the head of state is not the head of government, but still has significant powers, for example [[Politics of Morocco|Morocco]]. In contrast, in other parliamentary systems such as [[Politics of Sweden|Sweden]] and [[Politics of Japan|Japan]], the head of state is purely ceremonial without any meaningful power.

Meanwhile, in [[presidential systems]], the head of state is also the head of government.<ref name="Foakes2014" /> In a [[semi-presidential system]], such as [[Politics of France|France]], elements of the presidential and parliamentary systems are combined, with separate heads of state and government who officially exercise executive power alongside each other. In practice, the two usually divide power among themselves, with the actual distribution of power resembling a parliamentary or presidential system depending on which leader enjoys greater influence and public confidence.

In some [[One-party state|one-party]] and [[Dominant-party state|dominant-party systems]] where the position of head of state does not have tangible powers by itself, the head of state may nonetheless simultaneously hold the post of [[party leader]], and thus have de facto executive powers deriving from their party post. The longevity of this arrangement varies, especially when considering the position of the party in question: in [[China]], which is a one-party state under the [[Communist Party of China|Communist Party]], the practice of the party leader also serving as head of state is [[Paramount leader of China|institutionalised as a matter of political practice]], while in [[Turkey]], [[2017 Turkish constitutional referendum|the constitution was amended]] to move from a parliamentary system to a presidential one, ''de jure'' cementing the executive powers that president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] held ''de facto'' as leader of the dominant [[Justice and Development Party (Turkey)|Justice and Development Party]].

Former French president [[Charles de Gaulle]], while developing the current [[Constitution of France]] (1958), said that the head of state should embody ''{{lang|fr|l'esprit de la nation}}'' ("the spirit of the nation").<ref name="Kubicek2015">{{cite book|first=Paul|last=Kubicek|title=European Politics|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d9uoCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA154|year=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-34853-5|pages=154–56, 163}}</ref>

==Constitutional models==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2012}}
[[File:Bratislava-grassalkovičov palác.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|[[Grassalkovich Palace]] in [[Bratislava]] is the seat of the [[president of Slovakia]].]]

Some academic writers discuss [[State (polity)|state]]s and [[Forms of government|governments]] in terms of "models".<ref>{{cite web|editor=Nicolaidis and Weatherill |title=Whose Europe? National Models and the Constitution of the European Union|year=2003|url=http://denning.law.ox.ac.uk/themes/iecl/pdfs/whoseeurope.pdf|access-date=23 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617084528/http://denning.law.ox.ac.uk/themes/iecl/pdfs/whoseeurope.pdf|archive-date=17 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https%253A%252F%252Fscholar.google.co.uk%252Fscholar%253Fq%253DThe%2520Managerial%2520Constitution%253A%2520The%2520Convergence%2520of%2520Constitutional%2520and%2520Corporate%2520Governance%2520Models&amp=&hl=ar&amp=&as_sdt=0&amp=&as_vis=1&amp=&oi=scholart&amp=&httpsredir=1&amp=&article=1130&amp=&context=yls_sela&amp=&sei-redir=1#search=%22Managerial%20Constitution%3A%20Convergence%20Constitutional%20Corporate%20Governance%20Models%22|title=The Managerial Constitution: The Convergence of Constitutional and Corporate Governance Models|last=Gouvea|first=C. P.|year=2013|doi=10.2139/ssrn.2288315 |ssrn=2288315 |website=digitalcommons.law.yale.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818035818/https://digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https%253A%252F%252Fscholar.google.co.uk%252Fscholar%253Fq%253DThe%2520Managerial%2520Constitution%253A%2520The%2520Convergence%2520of%2520Constitutional%2520and%2520Corporate%2520Governance%2520Models&amp=&hl=ar&amp=&as_sdt=0&amp=&as_vis=1&amp=&oi=scholart&amp=&httpsredir=1&amp=&article=1130&amp=&context=yls_sela&amp=&sei-redir=1 |archive-date=18 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first= U.|last= Belavusau|title= Freedom of speech: importing European and US constitutional models in transitional democracies|publisher= Routledge|year= 2013|isbn= 9781135071981|url= http://www.brownsbfs.co.uk/Product/Belavusau-Uladzislau/Freedom-of-speech-importing-European-and-US-constitutiona/9781135071981|access-date= 23 December 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141223132543/http://www.brownsbfs.co.uk/Product/Belavusau-Uladzislau/Freedom-of-speech-importing-European-and-US-constitutiona/9781135071981|archive-date= 23 December 2014|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|first=Heinz |last=Klug|title=Postcolonial Collages: Distributions of Power and Constitutional Models, With Special Reference to South Africa|journal=International Sociology|volume=18|issue=1|pages=114–131|doi=10.1177/0268580903018001007|date=March 2003|s2cid=144612269}}</ref>

An independent [[nation state]] normally has a head of state, and determines the extent of its head's executive powers of government or formal representational functions.<ref name=Watts:0>[[#Watts2010|Watts]].</ref> In terms of [[Protocol (diplomacy)|protocol]]: the head of a [[sovereignty|sovereign]], independent state is usually identified as the person who, according to that state's constitution, is the reigning [[monarch]], in the case of a [[monarchy]]; or the president, in the case of a [[republic]].

Among the state [[constitution]]s (fundamental laws) that establish different political systems, four major types of heads of state can be distinguished:

# The [[parliamentary system]], with two subset models;
## The ''standard model'', in which the head of state, in theory, possesses key executive powers, but such power is exercised on the binding advice of a [[head of government]] (e.g. [[United Kingdom]], [[India]], [[Germany]]).
## The ''non-executive model'', in which the head of state has either none or very limited executive powers, and mainly has a ceremonial and symbolic role (e.g. [[Sweden]], [[Japan]], [[Israel]]).
# The [[semi-presidential system]], in which the head of state shares key executive powers with a head of government or cabinet (e.g. [[Russia]], [[France]], [[Sri Lanka]]); and
# The [[presidential system]], in which the head of state is also the head of government and has all executive powers (e.g. [[United States]], [[Indonesia]], [[South Korea]]).

In a federal constituent or a dependent territory, the same role is typically fulfilled by the holder of an office corresponding to that of a head of state. For example, in each [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Canadian province]] the role is fulfilled by the [[lieutenant governor (Canada)|lieutenant governor]], whereas in most [[British Overseas Territories]] the powers and duties are performed by the [[British Overseas Territories#Head of State|governor]]. The same applies to [[Governors of the Australian states|Australian states]], [[Governors of states of India|Indian states]], etc. [[Hong Kong]]'s constitutional document, the [[Hong Kong Basic Law|Basic Law]], for example, specifies the [[Chief Executive (Hong Kong)|chief executive]] as the head of the special administrative region, in addition to their role as the head of government. These non-sovereign-state heads, nevertheless, have a restricted or negligible role in diplomatic affairs, depending on the status and the norms and practices of the territories concerned, while in other instances, like [[States of Germany|Germany]], the non-sovereign federal constituents lack a clearly defined post analogous to a head of state, with the [[Speaker (politics)|speaker]]s of the [[Landtag]]s (state parliaments) fulfilling many of the same duties without an explicit constitutional basis for such a role.

===Parliamentary system===<!-- This section is linked from [[Austria]] -->
{{Original research section|date=November 2024}}
[[File:Forms of government parliamentary.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|World's parliamentary states (as of {{CURRENTYEAR}}):<br />{{small|{{color box|#6EBA6B}} Republics with an executive president elected by a parliament<br />{{color box|#FF9631}} Parliamentary republics<br />{{color box|#E45453}} Parliamentary constitutional monarchies in which the monarch usually exercises power only on government advice<br />{{color box|#E0E0E0}} Presidential republics, one-party states, and other forms of government}}]]

====Standard model====
In [[parliamentary system]]s the head of state may be merely the nominal [[chief executive officer]], heading the [[executive branch]] of the state, and possessing limited executive power. In reality, however, following a process of constitutional evolution, powers are usually only exercised by direction of a [[cabinet (government)|cabinet]], presided over by a [[head of government]] who is answerable to the legislature. This accountability and legitimacy requires that someone be chosen who has a majority support in the [[legislature]] (or, at least, not a majority opposition – a subtle but important difference). It also gives the legislature the right to vote down the head of [[Forms of government|government]] and their cabinet, forcing it either to resign or seek a parliamentary dissolution. The [[Responsible government|executive branch is thus said to be responsible]] (or answerable) to the legislature, with the head of government and cabinet in turn accepting constitutional responsibility for offering constitutional [[Advice (constitutional)|advice]] to the head of state.

[[File:REUNIÓN CON EL REY DE NORUEGA HARALD V Y HAAKON MAGNUS, PRÍNCIPE HEREDERO DE NORUEGA. OSLO, 10 DE DICIEMBRE DE 2025. (54975098432) (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|upright|King [[Harald V]] of [[Norway]]]]
In parliamentary [[Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchies]], the legitimacy of the unelected head of state typically derives from the tacit approval of the people via the elected representatives. Accordingly, at the time of the [[Glorious Revolution]], the [[Parliament of England|English parliament]] acted of its own authority to name a new king and queen (the joint monarchs [[Mary II]] and [[William III of England|William III]]); likewise, [[Edward VIII]]'s abdication required the approval of each of the six independent realms of which he was monarch. In monarchies with a written constitution, the position of monarch is created under the constitution and could be abolished through a democratic procedure of constitutional amendment. In many cases there are significant procedural hurdles imposed on such a procedure (as in the [[Constitution of Spain]]).

In republics with a parliamentary system (such as India, Germany, Austria, Italy and Israel), the head of state is usually titled ''[[President (government title)|president]]'' and the principal functions of such presidents are mainly ceremonial and symbolic, as opposed to the presidents in a presidential or semi-presidential system.

In reality, numerous variants exist to the position of a head of state within a parliamentary system. The older the constitution, the more constitutional leeway tends to exist for a head of state to exercise greater powers over government, as many older parliamentary system constitutions in fact give heads of state powers and functions akin to presidential or semi-presidential systems, in some cases without containing reference to modern democratic principles of accountability to parliament or even to modern governmental offices. Usually, the king had the power of declaring war without previous consent of the parliament.

For example, under the 1848 constitution of the [[Kingdom of Sardinia (1720–1861)|Kingdom of Sardinia]], and then the [[Kingdom of Italy]], the ''[[Statuto Albertino]]''—the parliamentary approval to the government appointed by the king—was customary, but not required by law.

Examples of heads of state in parliamentary systems using greater powers than usual, either because of ambiguous constitutions or unprecedented national emergencies, include the decision by King [[Leopold III of the Belgians]] to surrender on behalf of his state to the invading [[German Army (1935–1945)|German army]] in 1940, against the will of his government. Judging that his responsibility to the nation by virtue of his coronation oath required him to act, he believed that his government's decision to fight rather than surrender was mistaken and would damage Belgium. (Leopold's decision proved highly controversial. After [[World War II]], Belgium voted in a referendum to allow him to resume his monarchical powers and duties, but because of the ongoing controversy he ultimately abdicated.) The Belgian constitutional crisis in 1990, when the [[Baudouin of Belgium|head of state]] refused to sign into law a bill permitting abortion, was resolved by the cabinet assuming the power to promulgate the law while he was treated as "unable to reign" for twenty-four hours.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/05/world/belgian-king-unable-to-sign-abortion-law-takes-day-off.html|title=Belgian King, Unable to Sign Abortion Law, Takes Day Off|date=5 April 1990|work=The New York Times|access-date=8 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321121749/http://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/05/world/belgian-king-unable-to-sign-abortion-law-takes-day-off.html|archive-date=21 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Art. 93. "Should the King find himself unable to reign, the ministers, having observed this inability, immediately summon the Chambers. Regency and guardianship are to be provided by the united Chambers." ''The Constitution of Belgium, Coordinated text of 14 February 1994 (last updated 8 May 2007)''{{cite web |url=http://home.scarlet.be/dirkvanheule/compcons/ConstitutionBelgium/ConstitutionBelgium.htm |title=Constitution of Belgium |access-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601055805/http://home.scarlet.be/dirkvanheule/compcons/ConstitutionBelgium/ConstitutionBelgium.htm |archive-date=1 June 2013 }}</ref>

====Non-executive model====
{{multiple image
| width             = 150
| footer            = Two contemporary heads of state who are [[Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchs]], but with no political power: King [[Norodom Sihamoni]] of Cambodia (left), and King [[Felipe VI of Spain]] (right).
| image1            = King Norodom Sihamoni (2019).jpg
| image2            = Daiga Mieriņa tiekas ar Spānijas karali - 53814974005 (cropped).jpg
}}

These officials are excluded completely from the executive: they do not possess even theoretical executive powers or any role, even formal, within the government. Hence their states' governments are not referred to by the traditional parliamentary model head of state [[Style (manner of address)|styles]] of ''His/Her Majesty's Government'' or ''His/Her Excellency's Government''. Within this general category, variants in terms of powers and functions may exist.

The {{nihongo|[[Constitution of Japan]]|日本国憲法|Nihonkoku-Kenpō}} was drawn up under the [[Occupation of Japan|Allied occupation]] that followed [[World War II]] and was intended to replace the previous [[Militarism|militaristic]] and quasi-[[absolute monarchy]] system with a form of liberal democracy [[parliamentary system]]. The constitution explicitly vests all executive power in the [[Cabinet of Japan|Cabinet]], who is chaired by the [[Prime Minister of Japan|prime minister]] (articles 65 and 66) and responsible to the [[National Diet|Diet]] (articles 67 and 69). The [[Emperor of Japan|emperor]] is defined in the constitution as "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people" (article 1), and is generally recognised throughout the world as the Japanese head of state. Although the emperor formally [[Imperial Investiture|appoints]] the prime minister to office, article 6 of the constitution requires him to appoint the candidate "as designated by the Diet", without any right to decline appointment. Perhaps the most explicit reference comes in article 7, which states the emperor "perform[s] only such acts in matters of state as are provided for in this constitution and shall have not have powers related to government". He is a ceremonial [[figurehead]] with no independent discretionary powers related to the governance of Japan.<ref name=unprotocol>[https://www.un.int/protocol/sites/www.un.int/files/Protocol%20and%20Liaison%20Service/hspmfm.pdf HEADS OF STATE, HEADS OF GOVERNMENT, MINISTERS FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825170600/https://www.un.int/protocol/sites/www.un.int/files/Protocol%20and%20Liaison%20Service/hspmfm.pdf |date=25 August 2016 }}, Protocol and Liaison Service, United Nations (8 April 2016). Retrieved on 15 April 2016.</ref><ref name=japan/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20260118095241/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/colombia/ Japan]  in [[The World Factbook]], [[Central Intelligence Agency]]. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>

Since the passage in [[Sweden]] of the [[Instrument of Government (1974)|1974 Instrument of Government]], the [[Monarchy of Sweden|Swedish monarch]] no longer has many of the standard parliamentary system head of state functions that had previously belonged to him or her, as was the case in the preceding [[Instrument of Government (1809)|1809 Instrument of Government]]. Today, the [[speaker of the Riksdag]] appoints (following a vote in the [[Riksdag]]) the [[Prime Minister of Sweden|prime minister]] and terminates their commission following a [[vote of no confidence]] or voluntary resignation. Cabinet members are appointed and dismissed at the sole discretion of the prime minister. Laws and ordinances are promulgated by two Cabinet members in unison signing "On Behalf of the Government" and the government—not the monarch—is the [[high contracting party]] with respect to international treaties. The remaining official functions of the sovereign, by constitutional mandate or by unwritten convention, are to open the annual session of the Riksdag, receive foreign ambassadors and sign the [[Letter of credence|letters of credence]] for Swedish ambassadors, chair the foreign advisory committee, preside at the special Cabinet council when a new prime minister takes office, and to be kept informed by the prime minister on matters of state.<ref name="sweden ig"/><ref>[http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/monarchy/themonarchyinsweden/dutiesofthemonarch.4.396160511584257f2180003302.html Duties of the Monarch] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316041821/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/monarchy/themonarchyinsweden/dutiesofthemonarch.4.396160511584257f2180003302.html |date=16 March 2015 }}, [[Royal Court of Sweden]]. Retrieved on 1 November 2012.</ref>

In contrast, the only contact the [[president of Ireland]] has with the Irish government is through a formal briefing session given by the [[taoiseach]] (head of government) to the president. However, the president has no access to documentation and all access to ministers goes through the [[Department of the Taoiseach]]. The president does, however, hold limited [[reserve powers]], such as referring a bill to the [[Supreme Court of Ireland|Supreme Court]] to test its constitutionality, which are used under the president's discretion.<ref name=ireland/>

The most extreme non-executive republican head of state is the [[president of Israel]], which holds no reserve powers whatsoever.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Constitution of Israel |url=https://knesset.gov.il/constitution/ConstMJewishState.htm}}</ref> The least ceremonial powers held by the president are to provide a mandate to attempt to form a government, to approve the dissolution of the [[Knesset]] made by the prime minister, and to pardon criminals or to commute their sentence.

====Executive model====

Some parliamentary republics (like [[South Africa]], [[Botswana]] and [[Kiribati]]) have fused the roles of the head of state with the head of government (like in a presidential system), while having the sole executive officer, often called a president, being dependent on the Parliament's confidence to rule (like in a parliamentary system). While also being the leading symbol of the nation, the president in this system acts mostly as a prime minister since the incumbent must be a member of the legislature at the time of the election, answer [[question time|question sessions]] in Parliament, avoid motions of no confidence, etc.

===Semi-presidential systems===
{{Main|Semi-presidential system}}
[[File:De Gaulle-OWI.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Charles de Gaulle]], President and head of state of the [[French Fifth Republic]] (1959–1969)]]
Semi-presidential systems combine features of presidential and parliamentary systems, notably (in the president-parliamentary subtype) a requirement that the government be answerable to both the president and the legislature. The [[Constitution of France|constitution]] of the [[Fifth French Republic]] provides for a [[Prime Minister of France|prime minister]] who is chosen by the president, but who nevertheless must be able to gain support in the [[French National Assembly|National Assembly]]. Should a president be of one side of the political spectrum and the opposition be in control of the legislature, the president is usually obliged to select someone from the opposition to become prime minister, a process known as [[Cohabitation (government)|Cohabitation]]. President [[François Mitterrand]], a Socialist, for example, was forced to cohabit with the [[Gaullism|neo-Gaullist]] (right wing) [[Jacques Chirac]], who became his prime minister from 1986 to 1988. In the French system, in the event of cohabitation, the president is often allowed to set the policy agenda in security and foreign affairs and the prime minister runs the domestic and economic agenda.

Other countries evolve into something akin to a semi-presidential system or indeed a full presidential system. The [[Weimar Constitution|constitution]] of the [[Weimar Republic]], for example, provided for a popularly elected [[President of Germany (1919–1945)|president]] with theoretically dormant executive powers that were intended to be exercised only in emergencies, and a cabinet appointed by him from the [[Reichstag (Weimar Republic)|Reichstag]], which was expected, in normal circumstances, to be answerable to the Reichstag. Initially, the president was merely a symbolic figure with the Reichstag dominant; however, persistent political instability, in which governments often lasted only a few months, led to a change in the power structure of the republic, with the president's emergency powers called increasingly into use to prop up governments challenged by critical or even hostile Reichstag votes. By 1932, power had shifted to such an extent that the German president, [[Paul von Hindenburg]], was able to dismiss a [[Chancellor of Germany#First German Republic (Weimar Republic, 1919–1933)|chancellor]] and select his own person for the job, even though the outgoing chancellor possessed the confidence of the Reichstag while the new chancellor did not. Subsequently, President von Hindenburg used his power to appoint [[Adolf Hitler]] as Chancellor without consulting the Reichstag, an event which led to the [[Hitler's rise to power|establishment of a dictatorship]].
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===Presidential system===
{{Main|Presidential system}}
[[File:Gilbert Stuart - George Washington (Lansdowne Portrait) - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|[[George Washington]], the first [[president of the United States]], set the precedent for an executive head of state in republican systems of government.<ref>Lifetime portrait (1796), known as the "[[Lansdowne portrait]]", includes spines of two books titled "American Revolution" and "Constitution and Laws of the United States".</ref>]]

''Note: The head of state in a "presidential" system may not actually hold the title of "[[President (government title)|president]]" - the name of the system refers to any non-royal head of state who actually governs and is not directly dependent on the [[legislature]] to remain in office.''

Some constitutions or fundamental laws provide for a head of state who is not only in theory but in practice chief executive, operating separately from, and independent from, the legislature. This system is known as a "presidential system" and sometimes called the "imperial model", because the executive officials of the government are answerable solely and exclusively to a presiding, acting head of state, and is selected by and on occasion dismissed by the head of state without reference to the legislature. It is notable that some presidential systems, while not providing for [[collective executive]] accountability to the legislature, may require legislative approval for individuals prior to their assumption of cabinet office and empower the legislature to remove a president from office (for example, in the [[United States|United States of America]]). In this case the debate centers on confirming them into office, not removing them from office, and does not involve the power to reject or approve proposed cabinet members ''en bloc'', so accountability does not operate in the same sense understood as a parliamentary system.

[[Presidential system]]s are a notable feature of constitutions in the [[Americas]], including those of [[President of Argentina|Argentina]], [[President of Brazil|Brazil]], [[President of Colombia|Colombia]], [[President of El Salvador|El Salvador]], [[President of Mexico|Mexico]] and [[President of Venezuela|Venezuela]]; this is generally attributed to the strong influence of the [[United States]] in the region, and as the [[United States Constitution]] served as an inspiration and model for the [[Spanish American wars of independence|Latin American wars of independence]] of the early 19th century. Most presidents in such countries are selected by democratic means (popular direct or indirect election); however, like all other systems, the presidential model also encompasses people who become head of state by other means, notably through military dictatorship or ''[[coup d'état]]'', as often seen in [[Latin America]]n, [[Middle East]]ern and other presidential regimes. Some of the characteristics of a presidential system, such as a strong dominant political figure with an executive answerable to them, not the legislature can also be found among [[absolute monarchy|absolute monarchies]], [[constitutional monarchy|parliamentary monarchies]] and [[one-party state|single party]] (e.g., [[Communism|Communist]]) regimes, but in most cases of dictatorship, their stated constitutional models are applied in name only and not in political theory or practice.

===Single-party states===
In certain states under [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxist–Leninist]] constitutions of the [[Socialist state|constitutionally socialist state]] type inspired by the former [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]] (USSR) and its constitutive [[Republics of the Soviet Union|Soviet republics]], real political power belonged to the sole legal party. In these states, there was no formal office of head of state, but rather the leader of the legislative branch was considered to be the closest common equivalent of a head of state as a [[natural person]]. In the Soviet Union this position carried such titles as ''Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR''; ''Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet''; and in the case of the [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Soviet Russia]] ''Chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the All-Russian Congress of Soviets'' (pre-1922), and ''Chairman of the [[Bureau of the Central Committee]] of the Russian SFSR'' (1956–1966). This position may or may not have been held by the [[de facto]] Soviet leader at the moment. For example, [[Joseph Stalin]] and [[Nikita Khrushchev]] never headed the Supreme Soviet but were [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|General Secretary (later First Secretary) of the Central Committee of the Communist Party]] (party leader) and [[Council of Ministers (Soviet Union)|Chairman of the Council of Ministers]] ([[head of government]]).

This may even lead to an institutional variability, as in [[North Korea]], where, after the presidency of party leader [[Kim Il Sung]], the office was vacant for years. The late president was granted the posthumous title (akin to some ancient Far Eastern traditions to give posthumous names and titles to royalty) of ''"[[Eternal President of the Republic|Eternal President]]"''. All substantive power, as party leader, itself not formally created for four years, was inherited by his son [[Kim Jong Il]]. The post of president was formally replaced on 5 September 1998, for ceremonial purposes, by the office of [[President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly]], while the party leader's post as [[chairman of the National Defense Commission]] was simultaneously declared "the highest post of the state", not unlike [[Deng Xiaoping]]'s holding of [[Chairman of the Central Military Commission (China)|a similar post]] for over [[Dengist China|a decade]] in the [[People's Republic of China]].

In China, under the current [[Constitution of China|country's constitution]], the [[President of China|Chinese president]] is a largely [[Figurehead|ceremonial office]] with limited power.<ref>{{cite news |title = Ending Term Limits for China's Xi Is a Big Deal. Here's Why. - Is the presidency powerful in China? |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/10/world/asia/china-xi-jinping-term-limit-explainer.html |date = 10 March 2018 |work = [[The New York Times]] |author1=Chris Buckley |author2=Adam Wu |quote = In China, the political job that matters most is the General Secretary of the Communist Party. The party controls the military and domestic security forces, and sets the policies that the government carries out. China's presidency lacks the authority of the American and French presidencies. |access-date = 28 September 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180312103512/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/10/world/asia/china-xi-jinping-term-limit-explainer.html |archive-date = 12 March 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.kkhsou.in/main/polscience/structure_function.html Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502002431/http://www.kkhsou.in/main/polscience/structure_function.html |date=2 May 2014 }}, EXECUTIVE: THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE REPUBLIC.</ref> However, since 1993, as a matter of convention, the presidency has been held simultaneously by the [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party|general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]],<ref>{{cite news |url = https://multimedia.scmp.com/widgets/china/cpc-primer/ |title = A simple guide to the Chinese government |newspaper = [[South China Morning Post]] |quote = [[Xi Jinping]] is the most powerful figure in the Chinese political system. He is the President of China, but his real influence comes from his position as the [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]]. |access-date = 28 September 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180513080847/https://multimedia.scmp.com/widgets/china/cpc-primer/ |archive-date = 13 May 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> the [[Paramount leader|top leader]] in the [[One-party state|one party system]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics/china-sets-stage-for-xi-to-stay-in-office-indefinitely-idUSKCN1G906W |title = China sets stage for Xi to stay in office indefinitely |work = [[Reuters]] |date = 25 February 2018 |quote = However, the role of party chief is more senior than that of president. At some point, Xi could be given a party position that also enables him to stay on as long as he likes. |access-date = 28 September 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180226082043/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics/china-sets-stage-for-xi-to-stay-in-office-indefinitely-idUSKCN1G906W |archive-date = 26 February 2018 |url-status = live }}</ref> The presidency is officially regarded as an institution of the state rather than an administrative post; theoretically, the president serves at the pleasure of the [[National People's Congress]], the legislature, and is not legally vested to take executive action on its own prerogative.{{NoteTag|It is listed as such in the current Constitution; it is thus equivalent to organs such as the [[State Council of China|State Council]], rather than to offices such as that of the [[Premier of China|Premier]].}} [[Mao Zedong]], the [[Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party]], rejected that the president of China functioned as China's head of state, arguing instead that the major differences between the [[Politics of the Soviet Union|Soviet system]] and the Chinese was that the presidency acted as a representative of the state's [[collective leadership]].{{sfnm|1a1=Zhang|1y=2014|1pp=86−87}}

One-party states which do not use the Soviet-inspired constitutional system had a head of state matching one of the more "conventional" types. Typically, this was the presidential system, creating a ''de jure'' power structure which matches the ''de facto'' dynamics of a chief executive unaccountable to the legislature; however, some, such as Portugal under the [[National Union (Portugal)|National Union]] (the [[Estado Novo (Portugal)|Estado Novo]]) and Singapore under the [[People's Action Party]] opted instead to have presidents who were ''de facto'' ceremonial figureheads, with the party leader serving as prime minister. An extreme example of this malleability in the ''de facto'' government structure was the [[Republic of China]] during martial law: following the death of president [[Chiang Kai-shek]] in 1975, his successor as president, [[Yen Chia-kan]], did not enjoy the leadership of the ruling [[Kuomintang]] and the de facto executive powers it carried, which instead where held by premier [[Chiang Ching-kuo]]; the presidency only "returned" to being the chief executive post in 1978, when Chiang Ching-kuo succeeded Yen as president.

===Complications with categorisation===
[[File:Delhi durbar 1911 2.jpg|thumb|[[George V]], Emperor of India, and Empress Mary at the [[Delhi Durbar]], 1911]]

While clear categories do exist, it is sometimes difficult to choose which category some individual heads of state belong to. In reality, the category to which each head of state belongs is assessed not by theory but by practice.

In [[Iran]], the Constitution assigns the duty of signing treaties and of sending and receiving ambassadors to the [[President of Iran|president]], rather than the [[Supreme Leader of Iran|supreme leader]]; this means that, according to international diplomatic custom, it is the president and not the supreme leader who is Iran's head of state. In practice, however, the supreme leader is head of both government and state.

Constitutional change in [[Liechtenstein]] in 2003 gave its head of state, the [[Prince of Liechtenstein|Reigning Prince]], constitutional powers that included a veto over legislation and power to dismiss the [[List of heads of government of Liechtenstein|head of government]] and cabinet.<ref name=liechtenstein>[http://www.icla.up.ac.za/images/un/use-of-force/western-europe-others/Liechtenstein/Constitution%20Liechtenstein%202009.pdf Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein (LR 101)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808053816/http://www.icla.up.ac.za/images/un/use-of-force/western-europe-others/Liechtenstein/Constitution%20Liechtenstein%202009.pdf |date=8 August 2014 }} (2009). Retrieved on 3 August 2014.</ref> It could be argued that the strengthening of the Prince's powers, vis-a-vis the [[Landtag of Liechtenstein|Landtag]] (legislature), has moved Liechtenstein into the semi-presidential category. Similarly the original powers given to the [[List of Presidents of Greece|Greek President]] under the [[Constitution of Greece|1975 Hellenic Republic constitution]] moved [[Greece]] closer to the French semi-presidential model.

Another complication exists with [[South Africa]], in which the [[President of South Africa|president]] is in fact elected by the [[National Assembly of South Africa|National Assembly]] ([[legislature]]) and is thus similar, in principle, to a [[head of government]] in a [[parliamentary system]] but is also, in addition, recognised as the head of state.<ref name="south africa">[http://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/constitution/SAConstitution-web-eng.pdf Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425031318/http://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/constitution/SAConstitution-web-eng.pdf |date=25 April 2014 }}, [[Department of Justice and Constitutional Development]] (2009). Retrieved on 3 August 2014.</ref> The offices of [[president of Nauru]] and [[president of Botswana]] are similar in this respect to the South African presidency.<ref name=unprotocol/><ref name=botswana>[http://www.botswanaembassy.org/files/constitution_of_botswana.pdf Constitution of Botswana] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123094902/http://www.botswanaembassy.org/files/constitution_of_botswana.pdf |date=23 January 2013 }}, [[Embassy of Botswana in Washington, D.C.|Embassy of the Republic of Botswana in Washington DC]]. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref><ref name=nauru>[http://www.naurugov.nr/parliament/constitution.html THE CONSTITUTION OF NAURU] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201205104/http://www.naurugov.nr/parliament/constitution.html |date=1 February 2014 }}, [[Parliament of Nauru]]. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>

[[Panama]], during the military dictatorships of [[Omar Torrijos]] and [[Manuel Noriega]], was nominally a presidential republic. However, the [[List of heads of state of Panama|elected civilian presidents]] were effectively figureheads with real political power being exercised by the chief of the [[Panamanian Public Forces|Panamanian Defense Forces]].

Historically, at the time of the [[League of Nations]] (1920–1946) and the founding of the [[United Nations]] (1945), [[British India|India's]] head of state was the monarch of the United Kingdom, ruling directly or indirectly as [[Emperor of India]] through the [[Governor-General of India|Viceroy and Governor-General of India]].

==Roles==
{{Primary sources section|date=October 2019}}
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Head of state is the highest-ranking constitutional position in a sovereign state. A head of state has some or all of the roles listed below, often depending on the constitutional category (above), and does not necessarily regularly exercise the most power or influence of governance. There is usually a formal public ceremony when a person becomes head of state, or some time after. This may be the swearing in at the [[inauguration]] of a president of a republic, or the [[coronation]] of a monarch.

===Symbolic role===
One of the most important roles of the modern head of state is being a living [[national symbol]] of the state; in hereditary monarchies this extends to the monarch being a symbol of the unbroken continuity of the state. For instance, the [[Monarchy of Canada|Canadian monarch]] is described by the government as being the [[Monarchy of Canada#Personification of the Canadian state|personification of the Canadian state]] and is described by the [[Department of Canadian Heritage]] as the "personal symbol of allegiance, unity and authority for all Canadians".<ref name=Heritage>{{cite web|url=http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1363187221658|title=The Crown in Canada|date=13 December 2013 |access-date=31 August 2014|publisher=[[Department of Canadian Heritage]]|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051404/http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1363187221658|archive-date=8 August 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/Canada/TheQueensroleinCanada.aspx The Queen's role in Canada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220102227/http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/Canada/TheQueensroleinCanada.aspx |date=20 February 2009 }}, [[Royal Households of the United Kingdom|Royal Household]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>

In many countries, official [[portrait]]s of the head of state can be found in government offices, courts of law, or other public buildings. The idea, sometimes regulated by law, is to use these portraits to make the public aware of the symbolic connection to the government, a practice that dates back to medieval times. Sometimes this practice is taken to excess, and the head of state becomes the principal symbol of the nation, resulting in the emergence of a [[personality cult]] where the image of the head of state is the only visual representation of the country, surpassing other symbols such as the [[flag]].

Other common representations are on [[coin]]s, [[Postage stamp|postage and other stamps]] and [[banknote]]s, sometimes by no more than a mention or signature; and public places, streets, monuments and institutions such as schools are named for current or previous heads of state. In monarchies (e.g., Belgium) there can even be a practice to attribute the adjective "royal" on demand based on existence for a given number of years. However, such political techniques can also be used by leaders without the formal rank of head of state, even party - and other revolutionary leaders without formal state mandate.

Heads of state often greet important foreign visitors, particularly visiting heads of state. They assume a host role during a [[state visit]], and the programme may feature playing of the [[national anthem]]s by a [[military band]], inspection of [[Guard of honour|military troops]], official exchange of gifts, and attending a [[state dinner]] at the [[official residence]] of the host.

At home, heads of state are expected to render lustre to various occasions by their presence, such as by attending artistic or sports performances or competitions (often in a theatrical honour box, on a platform, on the front row, at the honours table), expositions, [[National Day|national day celebrations]], dedication events, military parades and war remembrances, prominent funerals, visiting different parts of the country and people from different walks of life, and at times performing symbolic acts such as [[Ribbon-cutting ceremony|cutting a ribbon]], [[groundbreaking]], [[Ship naming and launching|ship christening]], laying the first stone. Some parts of national life receive their regular attention, often on an annual basis, or even in the form of official patronage.

The [[Olympic Charter]] (rule 55.3) of the [[International Olympic Committee]] states that the [[Summer Olympic Games|Olympic summer]] and [[Winter Olympic Games|winter games]] shall be [[List of people who have opened the Olympic Games|opened by]] the head of state of the host nation, by uttering a single formulaic phrase as determined by the charter.<ref>[https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/General/EN-Olympic-Charter.pdf Olympic Charter: in force as of 2 August 2016] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919080933/https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/General/EN-Olympic-Charter.pdf |date=19 September 2016 }}, [[International Olympic Committee]] (August 2016). Retrieved on 13 September 2016.</ref>

As such invitations may be very numerous, such duties are often in part [[delegation|delegated]] to such persons as a spouse, a [[head of government]] or a [[cabinet minister]] or in other cases (possibly as a message, for instance, to distance themselves without rendering offence) just a military officer or civil servant.

For non-executive heads of state there is often a degree of censorship by the politically responsible government (such as the [[head of government]]). This means that the government discreetly approves agenda and speeches, especially where the constitution (or customary law) assumes all political responsibility by granting the crown inviolability (in fact also imposing political emasculation) as in the [[Kingdom of Belgium]] from its very beginning; in a monarchy this may even be extended to some degree to other members of the dynasty, especially the heir to the throne.

Below follows a list of examples from different countries of general provisions in law, which either designate an office as head of state or define its general purpose.
* ''Example 1 (parliamentary monarchy):'' Section 56 (1) of the [[Spanish Constitution of 1978]] states:
** ''The [[Monarchy of Spain|King]] is the Head of State, the symbol of its unity and permanence. He arbitrates and moderates the regular functioning of the institutions, assumes the highest representation of the Spanish State in international relations, especially with the nations of its historical community, and exercises the functions expressly conferred on him by the Constitution and the laws.''<ref>[http://www.senado.es/constitu_i/indices/consti_ing.pdf SPANISH CONSTITUTION] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421032216/http://www.senado.es/constitu_i/indices/consti_ing.pdf |date=21 April 2012 }}, [[Senate of Spain]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 2 (parliamentary absentee monarchy):'' Article 2 of the New Zealand [[Constitution Act 1986]] states:
** ''(1) The [[Monarchy of New Zealand|Sovereign in right of New Zealand]] is the head of State of New Zealand, and shall be known by the royal style and titles proclaimed from time to time.''
** ''(2) The [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] appointed by the Sovereign is the Sovereign's representative in New Zealand.''<ref name="new zealand">[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0114/latest/096be8ed80762277.pdf Constitution Act 1986] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017063836/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0114/latest/096be8ed80762277.pdf |date=17 October 2013 }}, New Zealand Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved on 28 August 2013.</ref>
* ''Example 3 (parliamentary non-executive monarchy):'' Article 1 of the [[Constitution of Japan]] states:
** ''The [[Emperor of Japan|Emperor]] shall be the symbol of the State and of the unity of the People, deriving his position from the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power.''<ref name=japan>[http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html The Constitution of Japan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214104438/http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/constitution_and_government_of_japan/constitution_e.html |date=14 December 2013 }}, [[Prime Minister of Japan|Office of the Prime Minister]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 4 (parliamentary republic):'' Title II, Article 87 of the [[Constitution of Italy]] states:
** ''The [[President of Italy|President of the Republic]] is the Head of the State and represents national unity.''<ref name=senato.it>[http://www.senato.it/documenti/repository/istituzione/costituzione_inglese.pdf Constitution of the Italian Republic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520124929/http://www.senato.it/documenti/repository/istituzione/costituzione_inglese.pdf |date=20 May 2012 }}, [[Senate of the Republic (Italy)|Senate of the Republic]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 5 (parliamentary republic):'' Article 67 of the [[Constitution of Iraq|Iraqi constitution of 2005]] states:
** ''The [[President of Iraq|President of the Republic]] is the Head of the State and a symbol of the unity of the country and represents the sovereignty of the country. He shall guarantee the commitment to the Constitution and the preservation of Iraq's independence, sovereignty, unity, and the safety of its territories, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.''<ref>[http://www.iraqinationality.gov.iq/attach/iraqi_constitution.pdf Constitution of Iraq] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161128152712/http://www.iraqinationality.gov.iq/attach/iraqi_constitution.pdf |date=28 November 2016 }}. Retrieved 3 August 2014.</ref>
* ''Example 6 (semi-presidential republic):'' Title II, Chapter I, Article 120 of the [[Constitution of Portugal]] states:
** ''The [[President of Portugal|President of the Republic]] represents the Portuguese Republic, guarantees national independence, the unity of the state and the proper operation of the democratic institutions, and is [[ex officio]] Commander-in-Chief of the [[Portuguese Armed Forces|Armed Forces]].''<ref name=portugal>[http://www.tribunalconstitucional.pt/tc/conteudo/files/constituicaoingles.pdf CONSTITUTION OF THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC: SEVENTH REVISION (2005)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623021037/http://www.tribunalconstitucional.pt/tc/conteudo/files/constituicaoingles.pdf |date=23 June 2014 }}, [[Portuguese Constitutional Court]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 7 (presidential republic):'' Chapter IV, Section 1, Article 66 of the [[Constitution of the Republic of Korea]] states:
** ''(1)The [[President of South Korea|President]] shall be the Head of State and represent the State vis-à-vis foreign states.''
** ''(2)The President shall have the responsibility and duty to safeguard the independence, territorial integrity and continuity of the State and the Constitution.''<ref name="south korea">[http://english.ccourt.go.kr/home/att_file/download/Constitution_of_the_Republic_of_Korea.pdf THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310154748/http://english.ccourt.go.kr/home/att_file/download/Constitution_of_the_Republic_of_Korea.pdf |date=10 March 2012 }}, [[Constitutional Court of Korea]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 8 (semi-presidential republic):'' Chapter VI, Article 77 of the [[Constitution of Lithuania]] states:
** ''The [[President of Lithuania|President of the Republic]] shall be Head of State.''
** ''He shall represent the State of Lithuania and shall perform everything with which he is charged by the Constitution and laws.''<ref>[http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518165642/http://www3.lrs.lt/home/Konstitucija/Constitution.htm |date=18 May 2019 }}, [[Seimas]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012</ref>
* ''Example 9 (semi-presidential republic):'' Chapter 4, Article 80, Section 1-2 of the [[Constitution of Russia]] states:
** ''1. The [[President of the Russian Federation]] shall be the Head of State.''
** ''2. The President of the Russian Federation shall be the guarantor of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and of human and civil rights and freedoms. In accordance with the procedure established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, he (she) shall adopt measures to protect the sovereignty of the Russian Federation, its independence and State integrity, and shall ensure the coordinated functioning and interaction of State government bodies.''<ref name=government.ru>[http://www.government.ru/eng/gov/base/54.html Constitution of the Russian Federation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130504062759/http://www.government.ru/eng/gov/base/54.html |date=4 May 2013 }}, [[Government of the Russian Federation]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 10 (presidential republic):'' Section 87 (Second Division, Chapter 1) of the [[Constitution of Argentina]] provides that:
** ''The Executive Power of the Nation shall be vested in a citizen with the title of "[[President of the Argentine Nation]]".''<ref name=argentina>[http://www.senado.gov.ar/web/interes/constitucion/english.php CONSTITUTION OF THE ARGENTINE NATION] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604215413/http://www.senado.gov.ar/web/interes/constitucion/english.php |date=4 June 2011 }}, [[Argentine Senate]]. Retrieved on 16 November 2012.</ref>

===Executive role===
In the majority of states, whether republics or monarchies, [[executive branch|executive authority]] is vested, at least notionally, in the head of state. In presidential systems the head of state is the actual, [[de facto]] chief executive officer. Under parliamentary systems the executive authority is exercised by the head of state, but in practice is done so on the advice of the cabinet of ministers. This produces such terms as "Her Majesty's Government" and "His Excellency's Government." Examples of parliamentary systems in which the head of state is notional chief executive include [[Australia]], [[Austria]], [[Canada]], [[Denmark]], [[India]], [[Italy]], [[Norway]], [[Spain]] and the [[United Kingdom]].
* ''Example 1 (parliamentary monarchy):'' According to Section 12 of the [[Constitution of Denmark]] 1953:
** ''Subject to the limitations laid down in this Constitution Act the [[Monarchy of Denmark|King]] shall have the supreme authority in all the affairs of the Realm, and he shall exercise such supreme authority through the [[Cabinet of Denmark|Ministers]].''<ref name=denmark>[http://www.thedanishparliament.dk/Publications/~/media/Pdf_materiale/Pdf_publikationer/English/My%20Constitutional%20Act_with_explanations_version%209.ashx My Constitutional Act with explanations, 9th edition] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618173318/http://www.thedanishparliament.dk/Publications/~/media/Pdf_materiale/Pdf_publikationer/English/My%20Constitutional%20Act_with_explanations_version%209.ashx |date=18 June 2013 }}, The Communications Section, [[Folketing|Danish Parliament]] (August 2012). Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 2 (parliamentary absentee monarchy):'' Under Chapter II, Section 61 of the [[Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act]] 1900:
** ''The executive power of the Commonwealth is vested in the [[Monarchy of Australia|Queen]] and is exercisable by the [[Governor-General of Australia|Governor-General]] as the Queen's representative, and extends to the execution and maintenance of this Constitution, and of the laws of the Commonwealth.''<ref name=australia>[http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2005Q00193/0332ed71-e2d9-4451-b6d1-33ec4b570e9f The Constitution as in force on 1 June 2003 together with proclamation declaring the establishment of the Commonwealth, letters patent relating to the Office of Governor-General, Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942, Australia Act 1986.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510150908/http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2005Q00193/0332ed71-e2d9-4451-b6d1-33ec4b570e9f |date=10 May 2012 }}, [[ComLaw]], [[Government of Australia]] (2003) {{ISBN|0 642 78285 7}}. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 3 (parliamentary republic):'' According to Article 26 (2) of the 1975 [[Constitution of Greece]]:
** ''The executive power shall be exercised by the [[President of Greece|President of the Republic]] and the [[Government of Greece|Government]].''<ref name=greece>[http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/UserFiles/f3c70a23-7696-49db-9148-f24dce6a27c8/001-156%20aggliko.pdf The Constitution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114142907/http://www.hellenicparliament.gr/UserFiles/f3c70a23-7696-49db-9148-f24dce6a27c8/001-156%20aggliko.pdf |date=14 November 2017 }}, Publications Department, [[Hellenic Parliament]] (2008) {{ISBN|960 560 073 0}}. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 4 (parliamentary republic):'' According to Article 53 (1) of the [[Constitution of India]]:
** ''The executive power of the union shall be vested in the [[President of India|President]] and shall be exercised by him either directly or indirectly through the officers subordinate to him in accordance to the Constitution.''<ref name=india>[http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss%289%29.pdf Constitution of India, Part V] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824000303/http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(9).pdf |date=24 August 2015 }}, [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]]. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 5 (semi-presidential republic):'' Under Chapter 4, Article 80, Section 3 of the [[Constitution of Russia]]:
** ''The [[President of the Russian Federation]] shall, in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and federal laws, determine the basic objectives of the internal and foreign policy of the State.''<ref name=government.ru/>
* ''Example 6 (presidential republic):'' Title IV, Chapter II, Section I, Article 76 of the [[Constitution of Brazil]]:
** ''The Executive Power is exercised by the [[President of Brazil|President of the Republic]], assisted by the [[Cabinet of Brazil|Ministers of State]].''<ref name=brazil>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120426071904/http://bd.camara.gov.br/bd/bitstream/handle/bdcamara/1344/constituicao_ingles_3ed.pdf?sequence=7 Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil: 3rd Edition], [[Chamber of Deputies (Brazil)|Chamber of Deputies]] (2010) {{ISBN|978-85-736-5737-1}}. Retrieved on 13 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 7 (presidential republic):'' Article 2, Section 1 of the [[United States Constitution]] states:
** ''The executive Power shall be vested in a [[President of the United States|President of the United States of America]].''<ref name="us constitution">[https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html Constitution of the United States] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819235454/http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html |date=19 August 2011 }}, [[National Archives and Records Administration]]. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>

The few exceptions where the head of state is not even the nominal chief executive - and where supreme executive authority is according to the constitution explicitly vested in a cabinet - include [[Czech Republic|Czechia]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[Israel]], [[Japan]] and [[Sweden]].<ref name=japan/><ref name="sweden ig"/>

====Appointment of senior officials====
The head of state usually appoints most or all the key officials in the government, including the [[head of government]] and other cabinet ministers, key judicial figures; and all major office holders in the [[civil service]], [[foreign service]] and [[commissioned officer|commissioned officers in the military]]. In many parliamentary systems, the head of government is appointed with the consent (in practice often decisive) of the legislature, and other figures are appointed on the head of government's advice.

In practice, these decisions are often a formality. The last time the [[prime minister of the United Kingdom]] was unilaterally selected by the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|monarch]] was in 1963, when Queen [[Elizabeth II]] appointed [[Alec Douglas-Home]] on the advice of outgoing Prime Minister [[Harold Macmillan]].

In presidential systems, such as that of the United States, appointments are nominated by the president's sole discretion, but this nomination is often subject to confirmation by the legislature; and specifically in the US, the [[United States Senate|Senate]] has to approve senior executive branch and judicial appointments by a simple majority vote.<ref name="us constitution"/>

The head of state may also dismiss office-holders. There are many variants on how this can be done. For example, members of the Irish Cabinet are dismissed by the [[President of Ireland|president]] on the advice of the [[taoiseach]]; in other instances, the head of state may be able to dismiss an office holder unilaterally; other heads of state, or their representatives, have the theoretical power to dismiss any office-holder, while it is exceptionally rarely used.<ref name=ireland>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/en/constitution/index.html Constitution of Ireland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820000112/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/en/constitution/index.html |date=20 August 2015 }}, Office of the Attorney General (December 2013). Retrieved 3 August 2014.</ref> In [[France]], while the [[President of France|president]] cannot force the [[Prime Minister of France|prime minister]] to tender the resignation of the government, he can, in practice, request it if the prime minister is from his own majority.<ref name=france/> In presidential systems, the president often has the power to fire ministers at his sole discretion. In the United States, the unwritten convention calls for the [[United States federal executive departments|heads of the executive departments]] to resign on their own initiative when called to do so.
* ''Example 1 (parliamentary monarchy):'' Article 96 of the [[Constitution of Belgium]]:
** ''The [[Monarchy of Belgium|King]] appoints and dismisses his ministers.<br />The [[Cabinet of Belgium|Federal Government]] offers its resignation to the King if the [[Belgian Chamber of Representatives|House of Representatives]], by an absolute majority of its members, adopts a motion of no confidence proposing a successor to the [[Prime Minister of Belgium|prime minister]] for appointment by the King or proposes a successor to the prime minister for appointment by the King within three days of the rejection of a motion of confidence. The King appoints the proposed successor as prime minister, who takes office when the new Federal Government is sworn in.''<ref name=belgium>[http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/grondwetEN.pdf The Belgian Constitution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706134014/http://www.dekamer.be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/publications/constitution/grondwetEN.pdf |date=6 July 2011 }}, Legal Department, [[Chamber of Representatives (Belgium)|Belgian House of Representatives]] (August 2012). Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 2 (parliamentary non-executive republic):'' Article 13.1.1 of the [[Constitution of Ireland]]:
** ''The [[President of Ireland|President]] shall, on the nomination of [[Dáil Éireann]], appoint the [[Taoiseach]].''<ref name=ireland />
* ''Example 3 (semi-presidential republic):'' Chapter 4, Section 2 of the [[Constitution of the Republic of Korea]] states:
** ''The [[Prime Minister of South Korea|Prime Minister]] is appointed by the [[President of South Korea|President]] with the consent of the [[National Assembly of South Korea|National Assembly]].''<ref name="south korea"/>
* ''Example 4 (presidential republic):'' Article 84 of the [[Constitution of Brazil]]:
** ''The [[President of Brazil|President of the Republic]] shall have the exclusive power to:''
*** ''I - appoint and dismiss the [[Cabinet of Brazil|Ministers of State]]:''
*** ''XIII -...appoint the commanders of [[Brazilian Armed Forces|Navy, Army and Air Force]], to promote general officers and to appoint them to the offices held exclusively by them;''
*** ''XIV - appoint, after approval by the [[Senate of Brazil|Senate]], the Justices of the [[Supreme Federal Court]] and those of the superior courts, the [[Governor (Brazil)|Governors of the territories]], the [[Attorney General of Brazil|Attorney-General of the Republic]], the President and the Directors of the [[Central Bank of Brazil|Central Bank]] and other civil servants, when established by law;''
*** ''XV - appoint, with due regard for the provisions of article 73, the Justices of the [[Tribunal de Contas da União|Federal Court of Accounts]];''
*** ''XVI - appoint judges in the events established by this Constitution and the [[Office of the Solicitor-General in Brazil|Advocate-General of the Union]];''
*** ''XVII - appoint members of the Council of the Republic, in accordance with article 89, VII''
*** ''XXV - fill and abolish federal government positions, as set forth by law''.<ref name=brazil/>

Some countries have alternative provisions for senior appointments: In [[Sweden]], under the [[Instrument of Government (1974)|Instrument of Government of 1974]], the [[Speaker of the parliament of Sweden|Speaker of the Riksdag]] has the role of formally appointing the [[Prime Minister of Sweden|prime minister]], following a vote in the [[Riksdag]], and the prime minister in turn appoints and dismisses cabinet ministers at his/her sole discretion.<ref name="sweden ig"/>

====Diplomatic role====
[[File:Vladimir Putin with Tekiso Hati.jpg|thumb|Tekiso Hati, ambassador of the [[Kingdom of Lesotho]], presenting his credentials to [[President of Russia|Russian president]] [[Vladimir Putin]]]]
[[File:Shapiro presenting credentials to Peres 2011-08-03.jpg|thumb|[[Daniel B. Shapiro]], [[U.S. Ambassador to Israel|U.S. ambassador to Israel]], presents his credentials to [[President of Israel|Israeli president]] [[Shimon Peres]] on 3 August 2011.]]
[[File:Juraj Nemeš letter of credence.JPG|thumb|A 1992 [[letter of credence]], written in French, for the Czechoslovak Ambassador to [[Lithuania]], signed by the [[president of Czechoslovakia]] and addressed to his Lithuanian counterpart]]

Although many constitutions, particularly from the 19th century and earlier, make no explicit mention of a head of state in the generic sense of several present day international treaties, the officeholders corresponding to this position are recognised as such by other countries.<ref name=unprotocol/><ref name="vienna diplomatic"/> In a monarchy, the [[monarch]] is generally understood to be the head of state.<ref name=unprotocol/><ref name=Robertson:221>[[#Robertson|Robertson]]: p. 221.</ref><ref name="Roberts:35–44">[[#Roberts|Roberts]]: pp. 35–44.</ref>
The [[Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations]], which codified longstanding custom, operates under the presumption that the head of a diplomatic mission (i.e. [[ambassador]] or [[nuncio]]) of the sending state is accredited to the head of state of the receiving state.<ref name="Roberts:71–79">[[#Roberts|Roberts]]: pp. 71–79.</ref><ref name="vienna diplomatic">[http://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/9_1_1961.pdf Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817151217/http://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/9_1_1961.pdf |date=17 August 2018 }}, [[International Law Commission]], United Nations. Retrieved on 15 October 2012.</ref> The head of state accredits (i.e. formally validates) their country's [[Ambassador (diplomacy)|ambassador]]s (or rarer equivalent diplomatic mission chiefs, such as [[high commissioner]] or [[papal nuncio]]) through sending formal a [[letter of credence]] (and a Letter of Recall at the end of a tenure) to other heads of state and, conversely, receives the letters of their foreign counterparts.<ref name=Roberts:61-58>[[#Roberts|Roberts]]: pp. 61-68.</ref> Without that accreditation, the chief of the diplomatic mission cannot take up their role and receive the highest diplomatic status. The role of a head of state in this regard, is codified in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations from 1961, which (as of 2017) 191 sovereign states has [[ratification|ratified]].<ref name="vienna diplomatic"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=III-3&chapter=3&clang=_en|work=United Nations Treaty Collection|title=Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations|publisher=United Nations|access-date=27 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315003035/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=III-3&chapter=3&clang=_en|archive-date=15 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

However, there are provisions in the Vienna Convention that a diplomatic agent of lesser rank, such as a [[chargé d'affaires]], is accredited to the [[minister of foreign affairs]] (or equivalent).<ref name="vienna diplomatic"/>

The head of state is often designated the [[high contracting party]] in international treaties on behalf of the state; signs them either personally or has them signed in his/her name by ministers (government members or diplomats); subsequent [[ratification]], when necessary, may rest with the [[legislature]]. The treaties constituting the [[European Union]] and the [[European Communities]] are noteworthy contemporary cases of multilateral treaties cast in this traditional format, as are the accession agreements of new member states.<ref name=Roberts:542-543>[[#Roberts|Roberts]]: pp. 542-543.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url-status=live |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2007:306:FULL:EN:PDF |title=Treaty of Lisbon (OJ C 306) |date=17 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316084715/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2007:306:FULL:EN:PDF |archive-date=16 March 2013 |journal=[[Official Journal of the European Union]] |publisher=[[EUR-Lex]] |access-date=1 November 2012 |volume=50 |issue=C 306 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/11992M/htm/11992M.html |title=Treaty on European Union (92/C 191/01) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201191729/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/en/treaties/dat/11992M/htm/11992M.html |archive-date=1 February 2009 |work=[[Official Journal of the European Union]] |publisher=[[EUR-Lex]] |access-date=11 November 2012 }}</ref> However, rather than being invariably concluded between two heads of state, it has become common that bilateral treaties are in present times cast in an intergovernmental format, e.g., between the ''Government of X and the Government of Y'', rather than between ''His Majesty the King of X and His Excellency the President of Y''.<ref name=Roberts:542-543/>
* ''Example 1 (parliamentary monarchy):'' Article 8 of the [[Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein]] states:
** ''1) The [[Prince of Liechtenstein|Reigning Prince]] shall represent the State in all its relations with foreign countries, without prejudice to the requisite participation of the responsible [[Cabinet of Liechtenstein|Government]].''
** ''2) Treaties by which territory of the State would be ceded, State property alienated, sovereign rights or prerogatives of the State affected, a new burden imposed on the Principality or its citizens, or an obligation assumed that would limit the rights of the citizens of Liechtenstein shall require the assent of [[Landtag of Liechtenstein|Parliament]] to attain legal force.''<ref name=liechtenstein/>
* ''Example 2 (parliamentary republic):'' Article 59 (1) of the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany]] states:
** ''The [[President of Germany|Federal President]] shall represent the Federation in its international relations. He shall conclude treaties with foreign states on behalf of the Federation. He shall accredit and receive envoys.''.<ref name=germany/>
* ''Example 3 (semi-presidential republic):'' Title II, Article 14 of the [[French Constitution of 1958]] states:
** ''The [[President of France|President of the Republic]] shall accredit ambassadors and envoys extraordinary to foreign powers; foreign ambassadors and envoys extraordinary shall be accredited to him.''<ref name=france/>
* ''Example 4 (semi-presidential republic):'' Chapter 4, Article 86, Section 4 of the [[Constitution of Russia]] states:
** ''The [[President of the Russian Federation]]:''
*** ''a) shall direct the foreign policy of the Russian Federation;''
*** ''b) shall hold negotiations and sign international treaties of the Russian Federation;''
*** ''c) shall sign instruments of ratification;''
*** ''d) shall receive letters of credence and letters of recall of diplomatic representatives accredited to his (her) office.''<ref name=government.ru/>
* ''Example 5 (single party republic):'' Section 2, Article 81 of the [[Constitution of China]] states:
** ''The [[President of the People's Republic of China]] receives foreign diplomatic representatives on behalf of the People's Republic of China and, in pursuance of decisions of the [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress]], appoints and recalls plenipotentiary representatives abroad, and ratifies and abrogates treaties and important agreements concluded with foreign states.''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.gov.cn/2005-08/05/content_20813.htm |title=Constitution |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726154413/http://english.gov.cn/2005-08/05/content_20813.htm |archive-date=26 July 2013 |website=Chinese Government's Official Web portal |access-date=2 November 2012}}</ref>

In [[Canada]], these head of state powers belong to the [[Monarchy of Canada|monarch]] as part of the [[royal prerogative]],<ref>{{Cite book| last=Alston| first=Philip| title=Treaty-making and Australia: globalization versus sovereignty?| publisher=Federation Press| year=1995| location=Annandale| page=254| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4_HQYFoPCewC| isbn=978-1-86287-195-3}}</ref><ref>{{Citation| last=Bayefsky| first=Anne F.| date=1993| contribution=International Human Rights Law in Canadian Courts| editor-last=Kaplan| editor-first=William| editor2-last=McRae| editor2-first=Donald Malcolm| editor3-last=Cohen| editor3-first=Maxwell| title=Law, policy and international justice: essays in honour of Maxwell Cohen| page=112| location=Montreal| publisher=McGill-Queen's Press| isbn=978-0-7735-1114-9| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_7XwU1EvIsAC| access-date=16 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal| last=Flemming| first=Brian| title=Canadian Practice in International Law| journal=The Canadian Yearbook of International Law| volume=III| page=337| publisher=University of British Columbia Press| location=Vancouver| year=1965| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9LPT_7nv8_IC| access-date=16 January 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412225630/https://books.google.com/books?id=9LPT_7nv8_IC&printsec=frontcover| archive-date=12 April 2016| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=GeoVI>{{Citation| last=George VI| author-link=George VI| date=1 October 1947| title=Letters Patent Constituting the Office of Governor General of Canada| location=Ottawa| publisher=King's Printer for Canada| url=http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English/LettersPatent.html| access-date=29 May 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924103619/http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English/LettersPatent.html| archive-date=24 September 2015| url-status=live}}</ref> but the [[Governor General of Canada|Governor General]] has been permitted to exercise them since 1947 and has done so since the 1970s.<ref name=GeoVI /><ref>{{cite web| url=http://archive.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/03/02e_e.asp| last=Office of the Governor General of Canada| author-link=Governor General of Canada| title=The Governor General - the evolution of Canada's oldest public institution| publisher=Queen's Printer for Canada| access-date=16 January 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613180418/http://archive.gg.ca/gg/fgg/bios/03/02e_e.asp| archive-date=13 June 2011| url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Military role====
{{Main|Commander in Chief}}
[[File:21 juli 2011 Defilé Koning Albert II.png|thumb|[[Albert II of Belgium|Albert II]], [[Monarchy of Belgium|King of the Belgians]] inspecting [[Belgian Armed Forces|troops]] on Belgium's [[national day]] in 2011]]
[[File:Nicolas Sarkozy Bastille Day 2008 n1.jpg|thumb|[[Nicolas Sarkozy]], [[President of France]] and General [[Jean-Louis Georgelin]], [[Chief of the Defence Staff (France)|Chief of the Defence Staff]], reviewing troops during the 2008 [[Bastille Day military parade]] on the [[Champs-Élysées]] in [[Paris]]]]

A head of state is often, by virtue of holding the highest executive powers, explicitly designated as the [[commander-in-chief]] of that nation's [[armed forces]], holding the highest office in all military [[chain of command|chains of command]].

In a constitutional monarchy or non-executive presidency, the head of state may [[de jure]] hold ultimate authority over the armed forces but will only normally, as per either written law or unwritten convention, exercise their authority on the advice of their responsible ministers: meaning that the [[de facto]] ultimate decision making on military manoeuvres is made elsewhere. The head of state will, regardless of actual authority, perform ceremonial duties related to the country's armed forces, and will sometimes appear in military uniform for these purposes; particularly in monarchies where also the monarch's consort and other members of a [[royal family]] may also appear in military garb. This is generally the only time a head of state of a stable, democratic country will appear dressed in such a manner, as statesmen and public are eager to assert the [[civilian control of the military|primacy of (civilian, elected) politics over the armed forces]].

In [[military dictatorship]]s, or governments which have arisen from [[coups d'état]], the position of commander-in-chief is obvious, as all authority in such a government derives from the application of military force; occasionally a power vacuum created by war is filled by a head of state stepping beyond the normal constitutional role, as King [[Albert I of Belgium]] did during [[World War I]]. In these and in revolutionary regimes, the head of state, and often [[executive minister]]s whose offices are legally civilian, will frequently appear in military uniform.
* ''Example 1 (parliamentary monarchy):'' Article III, Section 15 of the [[Constitution Act, 1867]], a part of the [[Constitution of Canada]], states:
** ''The Command-in-Chief of the [[Canadian Armed Forces|Land and Naval Militia, and of all Naval and Military Forces, of and in Canada]], is hereby declared to continue to be vested in the [[Monarchy of Canada|Queen]].''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English/ca_1867.html|title=The Constitution Act, 1867|access-date=29 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203024121/http://www.solon.org/Constitutions/Canada/English/ca_1867.html|archive-date=3 February 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* ''Example 2 (parliamentary monarchy):'' Article 25 of the [[Constitution of Norway]] states:
** ''The [[Monarchy of Norway|King]] is Commander-in-Chief of the [[Norwegian Armed Forces|land and naval forces of the Realm]]. These forces may not be increased or reduced without the consent of the [[Storting]]. They may not be transferred to the service of foreign powers, nor may the military forces of any foreign power, except auxiliary forces assisting against hostile attack, be brought into the Realm without the consent of the Storting.''
** ''The territorial army and the other troops which cannot be classed as troops of the line must never, without the consent of the Storting, be employed outside the borders of the Realm.''<ref name=norway>[http://www.stortinget.no/en/In-English/About-the-Storting/The-Constitution/The-Constitution The Constitution, as laid down on 17 May 1814 by the Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll and subsequently amended.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515121627/http://www.stortinget.no/en/In-English/About-the-Storting/The-Constitution/The-Constitution/ |date=15 May 2012 }}, Information Service, [[Parliament of Norway]]. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 3 (parliamentary republic):'' Chapter II, Article 87, 4th section of the [[Constitution of Italy]] states:
** ''The [[President of Italy|President]] is the commander-in-chief of the [[Italian Armed Forces|armed forces]], shall preside over the Supreme Council of Defense established by law, and shall make declarations of war as have been agreed by Parliament of Italy.''
* ''Example 4 (semi-presidential republic):'' Title II, Article 15 of the [[French Constitution of 1958]] states:
** ''The [[President of France|President of the Republic]] shall be Commander-in-Chief of the [[French Armed Forces|Armed Forces]]. He shall preside over the higher national defence councils and committees.''<ref name=france/>
* ''Example 5 (semi-presidential republic):'' According to Chapter 4, Article 87, Section 1 of the [[Constitution of Russia]]:
** ''The [[President of the Russian Federation]] shall be the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the [[Armed Forces of the Russian Federation]].''<ref name=government.ru/>
* ''Example 6 (presidential republic):'' Article II, Section 2 of the [[United States Constitution]] states:
** ''The [[President of the United States|President]] shall be Commander in Chief of the [[United States Armed Forces|Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States]].''<ref name="us constitution"/>
* ''Example 7 (executive monarchy):'' Article 65 of the [[Constitution of Qatar]] provides that:
** ''The [[Emir of Qatar|Emir]] is the Commander-in-Chief of the [[Qatar Armed Forces|armed forces]]. He shall supervise the same with the assistance of Defence Council under his direct authority. The said Council shall be constituted by an Emiri Resolution, which will also determine the functions thereof.''<ref name=qatar/>

Some countries with a [[parliamentary system]] designate officials other than the head of state with command-in-chief powers.
* In [[Germany]], the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany|Basic Law for the Federal Republic]] vests this authority in the [[Minister of Defence (Germany)|Minister of Defence]] in normal peacetime (article 65a), and that command authority is transferred to the [[Chancellor of Germany (Federal Republic of Germany)|federal chancellor]] when a [[State of Defence (Germany)|State of Defence]] is invoked (article 115b): something which has never happened so far.<ref name=germany>"[https://www.btg-bestellservice.de/pdf/80201000.pdf Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany]", [[Bundestag]] (October 2010). Retrieved on 11 November 2012. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619180331/https://www.btg-bestellservice.de/pdf/80201000.pdf |date=19 June 2017 }}.</ref>
* In [[Israel]], the [[Basic Laws of Israel|applicable basic law]] states that the ultimate authority over the [[Israel Defense Forces]] rests with the [[Cabinet of Israel|Government of Israel]] as a collective body. The authority of the Government is exercised by the [[Ministry of Defense (Israel)|minister of defence]] on behalf of the Government, and subordinate to the minister is the [[Chief of General Staff (Israel)|chief of general staff]] who holds the highest level of command within the military.<ref name="israel bl military">[https://www.knesset.gov.il/laws/special/eng/basic11_eng.htm Basic Law of Israel: The Military] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827085026/http://knesset.gov.il/laws/special/eng/basic11_eng.htm |date=27 August 2014 }}, [[Knesset]]. Retrieved on 11 November 2011.</ref>

The armed forces of the [[Communist state]]s are under the absolute control of the [[Communist party]].
* In [[China]], the [[Supreme Military Command of the People's Republic of China|command-in-chief]] of the [[People's Liberation Army]] is the [[Chairman of the Central Military Commission (China)|Chairman of the Central Military Commission]], but not the [[president of China]], however, in practice, these offices are held by the same person, who is also [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party]].

===Legislative roles===
It is usual that the head of state, particularly in parliamentary systems as part of the symbolic role, is the one who opens the annual sessions of the legislature, e.g. the annual [[State Opening of Parliament]] with the [[Speech from the Throne]] in Britain. Even in presidential systems the head of state often formally reports to the legislature on the present national status, e.g. the [[State of the Union address]] in the United States of America, or the State of the Nation Address in South Africa.

Most countries require that all [[bill (proposed law)|bill]]s passed by the house or houses of the legislature be signed into law by the head of state. In some states, such as the United Kingdom, Belgium and Ireland, the head of state is, in fact, formally considered a tier of the legislature. However, in most parliamentary systems, the head of state cannot refuse to sign a bill, and, in granting a bill their assent, indicate that it was passed in accordance with the correct procedures (accordingly, the only [[veto]] allowed for them is referring the bill before a [[constitutional court]] to ensure its constitutionality). Still other parliamentary states do give their head of state the right to veto bills, but with the veto being [[veto override|overridable]] by a trivial majority (more than half of all MPs, or even a simple majority of votes). The signing of a bill into law is formally known as ''[[promulgation]]''. Some monarchical states call this procedure ''[[royal assent]]''.
* ''Example 1 (non-executive parliamentary monarchy):'' Chapter 1, Article 4 of the [[Constitution of Sweden|Swedish ''Riksdag Act'']] provides that:
** ''The formal opening of a [[Riksdag of Sweden|Riksdag]] session takes place at a special meeting of the Chamber held no later than the third day of the session. At this meeting, the [[Monarchy of Sweden|Head of State]] declares the session open at the invitation of the [[Speaker of the Riksdag|Speaker]]. If the Head of State is unable to attend, the Speaker declares the session open.''<ref name="sweden ra">[http://www.riksdagen.se/Global/dokument/dokument/laws/the-riksdag-act-2012.pdf The Riksdag Act] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201001248/http://www.riksdagen.se/Global/dokument/dokument/laws/the-riksdag-act-2012.pdf |date=1 February 2013 }}, [[Riksdag of Sweden]]. Retrieved on 16 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 2 (parliamentary monarchy):'' Article 9 of the [[Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein]] provides that:
** ''Every law shall require the sanction of the [[Prince of Liechtenstein|Reigning Prince]] to attain legal force.''<ref name=liechtenstein/>
* ''Example 3 (parliamentary republic):'' Section 11.a.1. of the [[Basic Laws of Israel]] states:
** ''The [[President of Israel|President of the State]] shall sign every Law, other than a Law relating to its powers.''<ref name="israel bl president">[https://www.knesset.gov.il/laws/special/eng/basic12_eng.htm Basic Law of Israel: The President of the State] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020072505/https://www.knesset.gov.il/laws/special/eng/basic12_eng.htm |date=20 October 2017 }}, [[Knesset]]. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 4 (semi-presidential republic):'' According to Chapter 4, Article 84 of the [[Constitution of the Russian Federation]]:
** ''The [[President of the Russian Federation]]:''
*** ''a) shall announce elections to the [[State Duma]] in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and federal law;''
*** ''c) shall announce referendums in accordance with the procedure established by federal constitutional law;''
*** ''d) shall submit draft laws to the State Duma;''
*** ''e) shall sign and promulgate federal laws;''
*** ''f) shall address the [[Federal Assembly (Russia)|Federal Assembly]] with annual messages on the situation in the country and on the basic objectives of the internal and foreign policy of the State.''<ref name=government.ru/>
* ''Example 5 (presidential republic):'' Article 1, Section 7 of the [[United States Constitution]] states:
** ''Every Bill which shall have passed the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] and the [[United States Senate|Senate]], shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the [[President of the United States]]; If he approves he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated... ''<ref name="us constitution"/>
* ''Example 6 (presidential republic):'' Article 84 of the [[Brazilian Constitution]] provides that:
** ''The [[President of Brazil|President of the Republic]] shall have the exclusive power to:''
*** ''III – start the legislative procedure, in the manner and in the cases set forth in this Constitution;''
*** ''IV - sanction, promulgate and order the publication of laws, as well as to issue decrees and regulations for the true enforcement thereof;''
*** ''V - veto bills, wholly or in part;''
*** ''XI - upon the opening of the legislative session, send a government message and plan to the [[National Congress of Brazil|National Congress]], describing the state of the nation and requesting the actions he deems necessary;''
*** ''XXIII - submit to the National Congress the pluriannual plan, the bill of budgetary directives and the budget proposals set forth in this Constitution;''
*** ''XXIV - render, each year, accounts to the National Congress concerning the previous fiscal year, within sixty days of the opening of the legislative session''.<ref name=brazil/>
* ''Example 7 (ruling monarchy):'' Article 106 of the [[Constitution of Qatar]] states:
** ''1. Any draft law passed by the [[Consultative Assembly of Qatar|Council]] shall be referred to the [[Emir of Qatar|Emir]] for ratification.''
** ''2. If the Emir, declines to approve the draft law, he shall return it a long with the reasons for such declination to the Council within a period of three months from the date of referral.''
** ''3. In the event that a draft law is returned to the Council within the period specified in the preceding paragraph and the Council passes the same once more with a two-thirds majority of all its Members, the Emir shall ratify and promulgate it. The Emir may in compelling circumstances order the suspension of this law for the period that he deems necessary to serve the higher interests of the country. If, however, the draft law is not passed by a two-thirds majority, it shall not be reconsidered within the same term of session.''<ref name=qatar>[http://english.mofa.gov.qa/details.cfm?id=80 Constitution of the State of Qatar] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041024231923/http://english.mofa.gov.qa/details.cfm?id=80 |date=24 October 2004 }}, [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Qatar)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]. Retrieved on 17 November 2012.</ref>

In some parliamentary systems, the head of state retains certain discretionary powers in relation to bills to be exercised. They may have authority to veto a bill until the houses of the legislature have reconsidered it, and approved it a second time; reserve a bill to be signed later, or suspend it indefinitely (generally in states with [[royal prerogative]]; this power is rarely used); refer a bill to the courts to test its constitutionality; refer a bill to the people in a [[referendum]].

If the head of state also serves as the chief executive, the head of state can politically control the necessary executive measures without which a proclaimed law can remain dead letter, sometimes for years or even forever.

===Summoning and dissolving the legislature===
A head of state is often empowered to summon and dissolve the country's [[legislature]]. In most [[parliamentary system]]s, this is often done on the advice of the [[head of government]]. In some parliamentary systems, and in some presidential systems, however, the head of state may do so on their own initiative. Some states have fixed term legislatures, with no option of bringing forward elections (e.g., Article II, Section 3, of the [[U.S. Constitution]]<ref name="us constitution"/>). In other systems there are usually fixed terms, but the head of state retains authority to dissolve the legislature in certain circumstances. Where a head of government has lost support in the legislature, some heads of state may refuse a dissolution, where one is requested, thereby forcing the head of government's resignation.
* ''Example 1 (parliamentary non-executive republic):'' Article 13.2.2. of the [[Constitution of Ireland]] states:
** ''The [[President of Ireland|President]] may in absolute discretion refuse to dissolve [[Dáil Éireann]] on the advice of a [[Taoiseach]] who has ceased to retain the support of a majority in Dáil Éireann.''<ref name=ireland/>
* ''Example 2 (semi-presidential republic):'' Title II, Article 12, first sentence of the [[French Constitution of 1958]] states:
** ''The [[President of France|President of the Republic]] may, after consulting the [[Prime Minister of France|Prime Minister]] and the Presidents of the Houses of Parliament, declare the [[National Assembly of France|National Assembly]] dissolved.''<ref name=france/>
* ''Example 3 (semi-presidential republic):'' Chapter 4, article 84 of the [[Constitution of the Russian Federation]] provides:
** ''The [[President of the Russian Federation]]:''
*** ''b) shall dissolve the [[State Duma]] in the cases and in accordance with the procedure provided for by the Constitution of the Russian Federation;''<ref name=government.ru/>

===Other prerogatives===

====Granting titles and honours====
* ''Example 1 (parliamentary monarchy):'' Article 113 of the [[Constitution of Belgium]] states:
** ''The [[Monarchy of Belgium|King]] may confer [[Belgian nobility|titles of nobility]], without ever having the power to attach privileges to them.''<ref name=belgium/>
* ''Example 2 (parliamentary monarchy):'' Article 23 of the [[Constitution of Norway]] states:
** ''The [[Monarchy of Norway|King]] may bestow [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Norway|orders]] upon whomever he pleases as a reward for distinguished services, and such orders must be publicly announced, but no rank or title other than that attached to any office. The order exempts no one from the common duties and burdens of citizens, nor does it carry with it any preferential admission to senior official posts in the State. Senior officials honourably discharged from office retain the title and rank of their office. This does not apply, however, to Members of the [[Norwegian Council of State|Council of State]] or the State Secretaries.<br />No personal, or mixed, hereditary privileges may henceforth be granted to anyone.''<ref name=norway/>
* ''Example 3 (parliamentary republic):'' Title II, Article 87, 8th section of the [[Constitution of Italy]] states:
** ''The [[President of Italy|President]] shall confer the [[List of Italian orders of knighthood|honorary distinctions of the Republic]].''<ref name=senato.it/>

====Immunity====
{{See also|Sovereign immunity|Immunity from prosecution (international law)}}
* ''Example 1 (parliamentary non-executive monarchy):'' Chapter 5, Article 8 of the [[Instrument of Government (1974)|Swedish Instrument of Government of 1974]] states:
** ''The [[Monarchy of Sweden|King or Queen]] who is Head of State cannot be prosecuted for his or her actions. Nor can a Regent be prosecuted for his or her actions as Head of State.''<ref name="sweden ig">[http://www.riksdagen.se/Global/dokument/dokument/laws/the-instrument-of-government-2012.pdf The Instrument of Government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520150842/http://www.riksdagen.se/Global/dokument/dokument/laws/the-instrument-of-government-2012.pdf |date=20 May 2014 }}, [[Riksdag of Sweden]]. Retrieved on 2 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 2 (parliamentary monarchy):'' Article 5 of the [[Constitution of Norway]] states:
** ''The [[Monarchy of Norway|King's]] person is sacred; he cannot be censured or accused. The responsibility rests with his [[Norwegian Council of State|Council]].''<ref name=norway/>
* ''Example 3 (parliamentary republic):'' Chapter 3, Article 65 of the [[Constitution of the Czech Republic]] states:
** ''(1) [[President of the Czech Republic|President of the Republic]] may not be detained, subjected to criminal prosecution or prosecuted for offence or other administrative delict.''
** ''(2) President of the Republic may be prosecuted for high treason at the [[Constitutional Court of the Czech Republic|Constitutional Court]] based on the [[Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic|Senate's]] suit. The punishment may be the loss of his presidential office and of his eligibility to regain it.''
** ''(3) Criminal prosecution for criminal offences committed by the President of the Republic while executing his office shall be ruled out forever.''<ref>[http://www.hrad.cz/en/czech-republic/constitution-of-the-cr.shtml Constitution of the Czech Republic] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716211402/http://www.hrad.cz/en/czech-republic/constitution-of-the-cr.shtml |date=16 July 2012 }}, [[President of the Czech Republic|Prague Castle Administration]]. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 4 (semi-presidential republic):'' Title II, Chapter I, Article 130 of the [[Constitution of Portugal]] states:
** ''1. The [[President of Portugal|President of the Republic]] answers before the [[Portuguese Supreme Court of Justice|Supreme Court of Justice]] for crimes committed in the exercise of his functions.''
** ''2. Proceedings may only be initiated by the [[Assembly of the Republic of Portugal|Assembly of the Republic]], upon a motion subscribed by one fifth and a decision passed by a two-thirds majority of all the Members of the Assembly of the Republic in full exercise of their office.''
** ''3. Conviction implies removal from office and disqualification from re-election.''
** ''4. For crimes that are not committed in the exercise of his functions, the President of the Republic answers before the common courts, once his term of office has ended.''<ref name=portugal/>
* ''Example 5 (executive monarchy):'' Article 64 of the [[Constitution of Qatar]]:
** ''The [[Emir of Qatar|Emir]] is the head of State. His person shall be inviolable and he must be respected by all.''<ref name=qatar/>

====Reserve powers====
{{See also|reserve power}}
* ''Example 1 (semi-presidential republic):'' Title II, Article 16 of the [[French Constitution of 1958]] states:
** ''Where the institutions of the Republic, the independence of the Nation, the integrity of its territory or the fulfilment of its international commitments are under serious and immediate threat, and where the proper functioning of the constitutional public authorities is interrupted, the [[President of France|President of the Republic]] shall take measures required by these circumstances, after formally consulting the [[Prime Minister of France|Prime Minister]], the [[French Parliament|Presidents of the Houses of Parliament]] and the [[Constitutional Council of France|Constitutional Council]].<br />He shall address the Nation and inform it of such measures.<br />The measures shall be designed to provide the constitutional public authorities as swiftly as possible, with the means to carry out their duties. The Constitutional Council shall be consulted with regard to such measures.<br />Parliament shall sit as of right.<br />The [[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]] shall not be dissolved during the exercise of such emergency powers.<br />After thirty days of the exercise of such emergency powers, the matter may be referred to the Constitutional Council by the [[List of Presidents of the National Assembly of France|President of the National Assembly]], the [[List of Presidents of the French Senate|President of the Senate]], sixty Members of the National Assembly or sixty [[Senate (France)|Senators]], so as to decide if the conditions laid down in paragraph one still apply. The Council shall make its decision publicly as soon as possible. It shall, as of right, carry out such an examination and shall make its decision in the same manner after sixty days of the exercise of emergency powers or at any moment thereafter.''<ref name=france>[http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/english/8ab.asp Constitution of October 4, 1958] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301072754/http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/english/8ab.asp |date=1 March 2010 }}, [[National Assembly (France)|The French National Assembly]]. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.</ref>
* ''Example 2 (executive monarchy):'' Articles 69 & 70 of the [[Constitution of Qatar]]:
** '''<small>Article 69</small>'''
*** ''The [[Emir of Qatar|Emir]] may, be a decree, declare [[Martial Law]]s in the country in the event of exceptional cases specified by the law; and in such cases, he may take all urgent necessary measures to counter any threat that undermine the safety of the State, the integrity of its territories or the security of its people and interests or obstruct the organs of the State from performing their duties. However, the decree must specify the nature of such exceptional cases for which the martial laws have been declared and clarify the measures taken to address this situation. [[Consultative Assembly of Qatar|Al-Shoura Council]] shall be notified of this decree within the fifteen days following its issue; and in the event that the Council is not in session for any reason whatsoever, the Council shall be notified of the decree at its first convening. Martial laws shall be declared for a limited period and the same shall not be extended unless approved by Al-Shoura Council.''
** '''<small>Article 70</small>'''
*** ''The Emir may, in the event of exceptional cases that require measures of utmost urgency which necessitate the issue of special laws and in case that Al-Shoura Council is not in session, issue pertinent decrees that have the power of law. Such decree-laws shall be submitted to Al-Shoura Council at its first meeting; and the Council may within a maximum period of forty days from the date of submission and with a two-thirds majority of its Members reject any of these decree-laws or request amendment thereof to be effected within a specified period of time; such decree-laws shall cease to have the power of law from the date of their rejection by the Council or where the period for effecting the amendments have expired.''<ref name=qatar/>

====Right of pardon====
{{See also|Pardon}}
* ''Example 1 (parliamentary monarchy):'' Section 24 of the [[Constitution of Denmark]] states:
** ''The [[Monarchy of Denmark|King]] can grant pardons and amnesties. He may only pardon [[:Template:Danish ministerial posts|Ministers]] convicted by the [[Court of Impeachment (Denmark)|Court of Impeachment]] with the consent of [[Folketing|Parliament]].''<ref name=denmark/>
* ''Example 2 (parliamentary republic):'' According to Chapter V, Article 60(2) of the [[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany]]:
** ''He <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[President of Germany|The President]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> shall exercise the power to pardon individual offenders on behalf of the Federation.''<ref name=germany/>
* ''Example 3 (semi-presidential republic):'' Title II, Article 17 of the [[French Constitution of 1958]] states:
** ''The [[President of France|President of the Republic]] is vested with the power to grant individual pardons.''<ref name=france/>
* ''Example 4 (presidential republic):'' Article II, Section 2 of the [[Constitution of the United States]] provides that:
** ''...and he <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[President of the United States|The President]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of [[Federal impeachment in the United States|Impeachment]].''<ref name="us constitution"/>
* ''Example 5 (presidential parliamentary republic):'' Part XI, Article 80 of the [[Constitution of Nauru]]:
** ''The [[President of Nauru|President]] may-''
*** ''(a) grant a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions, to a person convicted of an offence;''
*** ''(b) grant to a person a [[Respite (law)|respite]], either indefinite or for a specified period, of the execution of a punishment imposed on that person for an offence;''
*** ''(c) substitute a less severe form of punishment for any punishment imposed on a person for an offence; or''
*** ''(d) remit the whole or a part of a punishment imposed on a person for an offence or of a penalty or forfeiture on account of an offence.''<ref name=nauru/>

==Official title==
In a [[republic]], the head of state nowadays usually bears the title of [[President (government title)|President]], but some have or have had other titles.<ref name=unprotocol/><ref name=Robertson:221/> Titles commonly used by monarchs are [[King]]/[[Queen Regnant|Queen]] or [[Emperor]]/[[Empress]], but also many others: e.g., [[Grand Duke]], [[Prince]], [[Emir]] and [[Sultan]].

Though [[President (government title)|president]] and various monarchical titles are most commonly used for heads of state, in some nationalistic regimes the leader adopts, formally or de facto, a unique style simply meaning leader in the national language; e.g., Germany's single [[NSDAP|national socialist party chief]] and combined head of state and government, [[Adolf Hitler]], as the ''[[Führer]]'' between 1934 and 1945.

In 1959, when former [[United Kingdom|British]] crown colony [[Singapore]] gained self-government, it adopted the Malay style ''[[Yang di-Pertuan Negara]]'' ("head of state" in [[Malay language|Malay]]) for its governor (the actual head of state remained the British monarch). The second and last incumbent of the office, [[Yusof bin Ishak]], kept the style at 31 August 1963 unilateral declaration of independence and after 16 September 1963 accession to [[Malaysia]] as a state (so now as a constituent part of the federation, a non-sovereign level). After its expulsion from Malaysia on 9 August 1965, Singapore became a sovereign [[republic within the Commonwealth|Commonwealth republic]] and installed Yusof bin Ishak as its first president.

In 1959 after the resignation of [[Vice President of Indonesia|Vice President]] [[Mohammad Hatta]], [[President of Indonesia|President]] [[Sukarno]] abolished the position and title of vice-president, assuming the positions of Prime Minister and Head of Cabinet. He also proclaimed himself [[president for life]] ([[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]: ''Presiden Seumur Hidup Panglima Tertinggi''; "''panglima''" meaning "commander or martial figurehead", "''tertinggi''" meaning "highest"; roughly translated to English as "Supreme Commander of the Revolution"). He was praised as "''Paduka Yang Mulia''", a [[Malay titles|Malay honorific]] originally given to kings; Sukarno awarded himself titles in that fashion due to his noble ancestry.

There are also a few nations in which the exact title and definition of the office of head of state have been vague. During the Chinese [[Cultural Revolution]], following the downfall of [[President of China|Chinese President]] [[Liu Shaoqi]], no successor was named, so the duties of the head of state were transferred collectively to the [[Vice President of China|vice presidents]] [[Soong Ching-ling]] and [[Dong Biwu]], then to the [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress]], but [[Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party|Chairman]] [[Mao Zedong]] was still the [[paramount leader]]. This situation was later changed: the [[president of China]] is now the [[List of state representatives of China|state representative]] but not the head of state. Although the presidency is a largely [[Figurehead|ceremonial office]] with limited power, the symbolic role of a head of state is now generally performed by [[Xi Jinping]], who is also [[General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party|General Secretary of the Communist Party]] ([[Leader of the Chinese Communist Party|Communist Party leader]]) and [[Chairman of the Central Military Commission (China)|Chairman of the Central Military Commission]] ([[Supreme Military Command of the People's Republic of China|Supreme Military Command]]), making him the [[Paramount leader|most powerful person]] in China.

In North Korea, the late [[Kim Il Sung]] was named "[[Eternal President]]" four years after his death and the [[Eternal leaders of North Korea#Presidency of North Korea before 1994|presidency]] was abolished. As a result, some of the duties previously held by the president were constitutionally delegated to the [[Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly]], who performs some of the roles of a head of state, such as accrediting foreign ambassadors and undertaking overseas visits. However, the ''de jure'' role of head of state lies within the [[President of the State Affairs Commission]], currently [[Kim Jong Un]], who as the [[General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea]] and [[Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of North Korea]], is the [[Supreme Leader (North Korean title)|most powerful person]] in North Korea.

There is debate as to whether [[Samoa]] was an [[elective monarchy]] or an [[Aristocracy|aristocratic republic]], given the comparative ambiguity of the title ''[[O le Ao o le Malo]]'' and the nature of the head of state's office.

In some states the office of head of state is not expressed in a specific title reflecting that role, but constitutionally awarded to a post of another formal nature. Colonel [[Muammar Gaddafi]] initially ruled as combined head of state and briefly head of government of the [[Libyan Arab Republic]], styled as Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council. In 1977, the Libyan ''[[Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya|Jamahiriya]]'' ("state of the masses") replaced the previous republic, and in March 1979 the role of head of state was transferred to the Secretary-General of the General People's Congress (comparable to a Speaker); in practice however Gaddafi remained the ''de facto'' leader as "Guide of the Revolution" until [[First Libyan Civil War|his overthrow]] in 2011.

Sometimes a head of state assumes office as a state becomes legal and political reality, before a formal title for the highest office is determined; thus in the since 1 January 1960 independent republic [[Cameroon]] (''Cameroun'', a former French colony), the first president, [[Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo]], was at first not styled {{Lang|fr|président}} but 'merely' known as {{Lang|fr|chef d'état}} (French for "head of state") until 5 May 1960. In [[Uganda]], [[Idi Amin]] the military leader after the coup of 25 January 1971 was formally styled ''military head of state'' till 21 February 1971, only from then on as regular (but unconstitutional, unelected) president.

In certain cases a special style is needed to accommodate imperfect statehood, e.g., the title ''[[Sadr-i-Riyasat]]'' was used in Kashmir after its accession to India, and the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] leader, [[Yasser Arafat]], was styled the first "President of the [[Palestinian National Authority]]" in 1994. In 2008, the same office was restyled as "[[President of the State of Palestine]]".<ref>{{citation|title=PLO body elects Abbas 'President of Palestine'|newspaper=Khaleej Times Online|date=24 November 2008|archive-date=8 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608080641/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/darticlen.asp?xfile=data%2Fmiddleeast%2F2008%2FNovember%2Fmiddleeast_November480.xml&section=middleeast|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/darticlen.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2008/November/middleeast_November480.xml&section=middleeast|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Historical European perspectives==
* The [[polis]] in Greek Antiquity and the equivalent city states in the feudal era and later, (many in Italy, the [[Holy Roman Empire]], the Moorish ''taifa'' in [[Iberian Peninsula|Iberia]], essentially tribal-type but urbanised regions throughout the world in the [[Maya civilisation]], etc.) offer a wide spectrum of styles, either monarchic (mostly identical to homonyms in larger states) or republican, see [[Chief magistrate]].
* [[Doge (title)|Doge]]s were elected by their Italian aristocratic republics from a patrician nobility, but "reigned" as sovereign dukes.
* The paradoxical term [[crowned republic]] refers to various state arrangements that combine "republican" and "monarchic" characteristics.
* The [[Netherlands]] historically had officials called [[stadholder]]s and [[stadholder-general|stadholders-general]], titles meaning "lieutenant" or "governor", originally for the [[Habsburg]] monarchs.

In medieval Catholic Europe, it was universally accepted that the [[Pope]] ranked first among all rulers and was followed by the [[Holy Roman Emperor]].<ref name=Roberts:39>[[#Roberts|Roberts]]: p. 39.</ref> The Pope also had the sole right to determine the precedence of all others.<ref name=Roberts:39/><ref name=Roberts:37-38>[[#Roberts|Roberts]]: pp. 37-38.</ref> This principle was first challenged by a Protestant ruler, [[Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden]] and was later maintained by his country at the [[Congress of Westphalia]].<ref name=Roberts:39/> Great Britain would later claim a break of the old principle for the [[War of the Quadruple Alliance|Quadruple Alliance]] in 1718.<ref name=Roberts:39/>{{refn|group=note|On the occasion of a royal marriage in 1760, the [[premier of Portugal]], the [[Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal|Marquis of Pombal]], tried to maintain that the host, the [[King of Portugal]], should as a crowned head have the sovereign right to determine the precedence of how ambassadors (apart from the papal nuncio and the imperial ambassador) would rank, based on the date of their credentials. The pragmatic suggestions of Pombal was not successful, and as the pretensions among the great powers were so deep-rooted, it would take the [[Napoleonic Wars]] for the great powers to have a fresh look at the issue.<ref name=Roberts:41-42>[[#Roberts|Roberts]]: pp. 41-42.</ref>}} However, it was not until the [[1815 Congress of Vienna]], when it was decided (due to the abolition of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] in 1806 and the weak position of France and other catholic states to assert themselves) and remains so to this day, that all sovereign states are treated as equals, whether monarchies or republics.<ref name=Roberts:42-43>[[#Roberts|Roberts]]: pp. 42-43.</ref> On occasions when multiple heads of state or their representatives meet, precedence is by the host usually determined in alphabetical order (in whatever language the host determines, although [[French language|French]] has for much of the 19th and 20th centuries been the ''[[lingua franca]]'' of diplomacy) or by date of accession.<ref name=Roberts:42-43/> Contemporary international law on precedence, built upon the universally admitted principles since 1815, derives from the [[Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations]] (in particular, articles 13, 16.1 and Appendix iii).<ref name=Roberts:43>[[#Roberts|Roberts]]: p. 43.</ref>
<gallery class="center" widths="210" heights="200" caption="European writers of 16th and 17th centuries">
File:Machiavelli Principe Cover Page.jpg|Title page of 1550 Italian edition of Machiavelli's ''The Prince''
File:Albergati Discorsi politici.jpg|Bodin named on title page of ''Discorsi politici'' (1602) by [[Fabio Albergati]] who compared Bodin's political theories unfavourably with those of Aristotle
File:Leviathan frontispiece cropped British Library.jpg|Frontispiece of [[Thomas Hobbes]]' ''[[Leviathan (Hobbes book)|Leviathan]] (1651)''
</gallery>
[[Niccolò Machiavelli]] used ''[[Prince]]'' ({{langx|it|Principe}}) as a generic term for the ruler, similar to contemporary usage of ''head of state'', in his classical [[treatise]] ''[[The Prince]]'', originally published in 1532: in fact that particular literary [[genre]] it belongs to is known as [[Mirrors for princes]]. [[Thomas Hobbes]] in his ''[[Leviathan (Hobbes book)|Leviathan]]'' (1651) used the term ''Sovereign''. In [[Europe]] the role of a monarchs has gradually transitioned from that of a sovereign ruler{{Em dash}}in the sense of [[Divine Right of Kings]] as articulated by [[Jean Bodin]], [[Absolute monarchy|Absolutism]] and the "[[L'etat c'est moi]]"{{Em dash}}to that of a constitutional monarch; parallel with the conceptual evolution of [[sovereignty]] from merely the personal rule of a single person, to [[Westphalian sovereignty]] ([[Peace of Westphalia]] ending both the [[Thirty Years' War]] & [[Eighty Years' War]]) and [[popular sovereignty]] as in [[consent of the governed]]; as shown in the [[Glorious Revolution]] of 1688 in [[England]] & [[Scotland]], the [[French Revolution]] in 1789, and the [[German Revolution of 1918–1919]]. The monarchies who survived through this era were the ones who were willing to subject themselves to constitutional limitations.

==Interim and exceptional cases==
Whenever a head of state is not available for any reason, constitutional provisions may allow the role to fall temporarily to an assigned person or collective body. In a republic, this is - depending on provisions outlined by the constitution or improvised - a [[vice-president]], the chief of government, the legislature or its presiding officer. In a monarchy, this is usually a [[regent]] or collegial regency (council). For example, in the United States the vice-president acts when the president is incapacitated, and in the United Kingdom the monarch's powers may be delegated to [[Counsellor of State|counselors of state]] when they are abroad or unavailable. Neither of the two [[co-princes of Andorra]] is resident in Andorra; each is represented in Andorra by a delegate, though these persons hold no formal title.

There are also several methods of [[head of state succession]] in the event of the removal, disability or death of an incumbent head of state.

In exceptional situations, such as war, occupation, revolution or a [[coup d'état]], constitutional institutions, including the symbolically crucial head of state, may be reduced to a figurehead or be suspended in favour of an emergency office (such as the original Roman [[dictator]]) or eliminated by a new "provisionary" regime, such as a collective of the [[Military dictatorship|junta]] type, or removed by an occupying force, such as a [[Military occupation|military governor]] (an early example being the [[Sparta]]n [[Harmost]]).<ref>{{Citation |title=Transitional Governance Today |date=2020 |work=State Renaissance for Peace: Transitional Governance under International Law |pages=1–30 |editor-last=De Groof |editor-first=Emmanuel H. D. |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/state-renaissance-for-peace/transitional-governance-today/F11B40FCAFCC9BC196743E64F5BB67E6 |access-date=2025-01-27 |place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |doi=10.1017/9781108589864.003 |isbn=978-1-108-49976-7|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

=={{anchor|SharedSovereign}}<!-- [[Shared sovereign]] redirects here-->Shared head of multiple states==
In early modern Europe, a single person was often monarch simultaneously of separate states. A [[composite monarchy]] is a retrospective label for those cases where the states were governed entirely separately. Of contemporary terms, a [[personal union]] had less government co-ordination than a [[real union]]. One of the two [[co-princes of Andorra]] is the [[president of France]].

Such arrangements are not to be confused with supranational entities which are not states and are not defined by a common monarchy but may (or not) have a symbolic, essentially protocollary, titled highest office, e.g., [[Head of the Commonwealth]] (held by the British monarch, but not legally reserved for it) or 'Head of the Arab Union' (14 February – 14 July 1958, held by the [[King of Iraq]], during [[Arab Federation|its short-lived Hashemite federation]] with [[Jordan]]).

===Commonwealth realms===
{{Main|Governor-general#Modern Commonwealth}}
[[File:{{Current UK monarch|image}}|thumb|232px|{{Current UK monarch |Charles III |nolink}}, who currently serves as head of state separately in the [[United Kingdom]] and 14 other [[Commonwealth realm]]s.]]
The [[Commonwealth realm]]s share a monarch, currently {{Current UK monarch |Charles III}}. In the realms other than the United Kingdom, a governor-general (''governor general'' in Canada) is appointed by the sovereign, usually on the advice of the relevant prime minister (although sometimes it is based on the result of a vote in the relevant parliament, which is the case for [[Politics of Papua New Guinea|Papua New Guinea]] and the [[Politics of Solomon Islands|Solomon Islands]]), as a representative and to exercise almost all the [[royal prerogative]] according to established constitutional authority. Governors-general are frequently treated as heads of state on state and official visits; at the [[United Nations]], they are accorded the status of head of state in addition to the sovereign.<ref name="unprotocol" />
{{multiple image
| footer            = <br />[[John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir|The Lord Tweedsmuir]] (left) was [[Governor General of Canada]] from 1935 to 1940;<br />Sir [[Paulias Matane]] (right) was [[Governor-General of Papua New Guinea]] from 2004 to 2010.
| image1            = btweedsmuir2.jpg
| width1            = 111
| image2            = Sir Paulias Matane.jpg
| width2            = 134
}}

An example of a governor-general departing from [[constitutional convention (political custom)|constitutional convention]] by acting unilaterally (that is, without direction from ministers, parliament, or the monarch) occurred in 1926, when [[Governor General of Canada|Canada's governor general]] [[King–Byng Affair|refused the head of government's formal advice]] requesting a dissolution of parliament and a general election. In a letter informing the monarch after the event, the Governor General said: "I have to await the verdict of history to prove my having adopted a wrong course, and this I do with an easy conscience that, right or wrong, I have acted in the interests of Canada and implicated no one else in my decision."

Another example occurred when, in the [[1975 Australian constitutional crisis]], the governor-general unexpectedly dismissed the prime minister in order to break a stalemate between the House of Representatives and Senate over money bills. The governor-general issued a public statement saying he felt it was the only solution consistent with the constitution, his oath of office, and his responsibilities, authority, and duty as governor-general.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whitlamdismissal.com/1975/11/11/kerr-statement-of-reasons.html|title=Kerr's Statement Of Reasons|access-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416042105/http://whitlamdismissal.com/1975/11/11/kerr-statement-of-reasons.html|archive-date=16 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> A letter from the queen's [[Private Secretary to the Sovereign|private secretary]] at the time, [[Martin Charteris, Baron Charteris of Amisfield|Martin Charteris]], confirmed that the only person competent to commission an Australian prime minister was the governor-general and it would not be proper for the monarch to personally intervene in matters that the Constitution Act so clearly places within the governor-general's jurisdiction.<ref>Kerr, John (1978), Matters for Judgment, Macmillan, {{ISBN|978-0-333-25212-3}}</ref>

Other Commonwealth realms that are now constituted with a governor-general as the [[List of viceregal representatives of Elizabeth II|viceregal representative of Charles III]] are: [[List of Governors-General of Antigua and Barbuda|Antigua and Barbuda]], [[Governor-General of the Bahamas|the Bahamas]], [[Governor-General of Belize|Belize]], [[Governor-General of Grenada|Grenada]], [[Governor-General of Jamaica|Jamaica]], [[Governor-General of New Zealand|New Zealand]], [[Governor-General of Saint Kitts and Nevis|Saint Kitts and Nevis]], [[Governor-General of Saint Lucia|Saint Lucia]], and [[List of Governors-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]].

==Religious heads of state==
[[File:Pope Leo XIV 3 (3x4 cropped).png|thumb|upright|The [[pope]] (currently [[Pope Leo XIV|Leo XIV]]) is concurrently the [[Papal titles#Sovereign of the Vatican City State|sovereign]] of the [[Vatican City|Vatican City State]], by virtue of his position as head of the [[Catholic Church]].]]

Since [[ancient history|antiquity]], various [[dynasty|dynasties]] or individual rulers have claimed the right to rule by divine authority, such as the [[Mandate of Heaven]] and the [[divine right of kings]]. Some monarchs even claimed divine ancestry, such as Egyptian [[pharaoh]]s and [[Sapa Inca]]s, who claimed descent from their respective sun gods and often sought to maintain this bloodline by practising [[incest|incestuous marriage]]. In [[Ancient Rome]], during the [[Principate]], the title {{lang|la|divus}} ('divine') was conferred (notably posthumously) on the [[Roman emperor|emperor]], a symbolic, [[Legitimacy (family law)|legitimating]] element in establishing a [[de facto]] dynasty.

===Christianity===
In [[Roman Catholicism]], the [[pope]] was the sovereign pontiff and temporal head of state of the politically important [[Papal States]] before [[Italian unification]]. The [[Lateran Treaty]] between the [[Holy See]] and Italy created the state of [[Vatican City]], of which the pope remains head of state. Furthermore, the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Urgell|bishop of Urgell]] is ''[[ex officio]]'' one of the two [[Co-Princes of Andorra|co-princes of Andorra]]. The monarch of the United Kingdom is also styled [[Defender of the Faith#Modern usage|Defender of the Faith]] and holds the position of [[Supreme Governor of the Church of England]], although this is purely a symbolic role.

===Islam===
[[File:Portrait Caliph Abdulmecid II.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Abdulmecid II]] was the [[List of Caliphs|150th]] and last [[Caliph of Islam]] from the [[Ottoman dynasty]].]]

During the [[History of Islam|early period of Islam]], [[caliph]]s were spiritual and temporal absolute successors of [[Muhammad]]. Various political Muslim leaders since have styled themselves ''Caliph'' and served as dynastic heads of state, sometimes in addition to another title, such as the [[Ottoman Sultan]]. Historically, some [[Theocracy|theocratic]] Islamic states known as ''[[imamates]]'' have been led by [[imam]]s as head of state, such as in what is now [[Oman]], [[Yemen]], and [[Saudi Arabia]]. The present [[king of Morocco]] also claims the title of ''[[Amir al-Mu'minin]]'' ('Commander of the Faithful').<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bouasria |first=Abdelilah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gMWgBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA40 |title=Sufism and Politics in Morocco: Activism and Dissent |publisher=Routledge |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-317-68144-1 |pages=40 |language=en}}</ref>

In the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]], the [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Supreme Leader]], at present [[Ayatollah]] [[Mojtaba Khamenei]], serves as [[List of heads of state of Iran|head of state]]. The [[Aga Khan]]s, a unique dynasty of temporal/religious leadership, leading the [[Nizari]] offshoot of [[Shia Islam]] in Central and South Asia, once ranking among British India's [[princely state]]s, continue to the present day.

===Hinduism===
In [[Hinduism]], certain dynasties adopted a title expressing their positions as "servant" of a patron deity of the state, but in the sense of a [[viceroy]] under an absentee [[god-king]], ruling "in the name of" the patron god or goddess, such as Padmanabha Dasa (servant of Vishnu) in the case of the [[Maharaja]] of [[Travancore]].

===Buddhism===
From the time of the [[5th Dalai Lama]] until the retirement of the [[14th Dalai Lama]] from political decision-making in 2011, Dalai Lamas were both political and spiritual leaders ("god-king") of [[Tibet]].

[[Outer Mongolia]], the former homeland of the imperial dynasty of [[Genghis Khan]], was another [[Tibetan Buddhist|lamaist]] theocracy from 1585, using various styles, such as [[tulku]]. The establishment of the [[Communism|Communist]] [[Mongolian People's Republic]] replaced this [[regime]] in 1924.

=={{anchor|CollectiveHead}}<!-- [[Collective heads of state]] redirects here-->Multiple or collective heads of state==
{{see also|Directorial system|Category:Collective heads of state}}

Sometimes multiple individuals are co-equal heads of state, or a [[corporate personhood|corporate person]] embodies the functions of head of state. In some cases [[Order of precedence|precedence]] rotates among the members of the collective as the term of office progresses. [[Diarchy]], in which two rulers is the constitutional norm, may be distinguished from a [[coregency]], in which a monarchy is temporarily held by a pair of co-rulers.

Examples of collective republican systems include nominal [[triumvirate]]s; the [[French Directory]] of the 1790s; the seven-member [[Swiss Federal Council]], where each member acts in turn as [[President of the Swiss Confederation|President]] for one year; the [[Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina]] with members from three nations; the two [[Captains Regent]] of [[San Marino]], which maintains the tradition of Italian medieval republics that had always had an even number of consuls. Collective heads of state may also be created as part of [[provisional government]]s, such as the [[Transitional Sovereignty Council]] of Sudan.

Many pre-modern republics did not have a single chief executive, insofar as such a person might be in a place to make himself [[tyrant]] (or worse, king). The [[Roman Republic]]'s top magistrates were two [[Roman consul|Consuls]] who had equal powers and could [[veto]] each other's actions. Similarly, [[Ancient Carthage|Carthage]]'s chief executives were two [[Shophet]]s. Both the Consuls and the Shophets served one-year terms. Other ancient states had no clear head of state at all; [[Classical Athens]] divided its executive power across nine [[Archon]]s and later many minor offices; this was typical of Greek [[Polis|''poleis'']], which (with the exception of [[Sparta]]) were universally republics on a spectrum from [[oligarchy]] to [[Athenian democracy|Athenian-style direct democracy]].

In the [[Soviet Union]], the [[Presidium of the Supreme Soviet|Presidium]] of the [[Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union|Supreme Soviet]] (between 1938 and 1989) and the earlier [[Central Executive Committee of the Soviet Union|Central Executive Committee]] (CEC) of the [[Congress of Soviets of the Soviet Union|Congress of Soviets]] (between 1922 and 1938) served as the [[List of heads of state of the Soviet Union|collective head of state]].<ref>{{cite book|author=John Alexander Armstrong|title=Ideology, Politics, and Government in the Soviet Union: An Introduction|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZH9nkBOxrZQC&pg=PA165|year=1978|publisher=University Press of America|isbn=978-0-8191-5405-7|page=165}}</ref> After World War II the Soviet model was subsequently adopted by almost all countries belonged to its [[Soviet sphere of influence|sphere of influence]]. [[Czechoslovakia]] remained the only country among them that retained an office of president as a form of a single head of state throughout this period; [[Poland]] and [[Hungary]], which initially had western-style constitutions (and therefore, western-style presidencies), switched to the presidium model with the adoption of new Soviet-influenced constitutions; [[Romania]], which was a monarchy before the Soviet takeover, was the only country to move to a unitary presidency from a collective head of state, a move done by dictator [[Nicolae Ceausescu]] in 1974.<ref>{{cite book|author=F. J. Ferdinand Joseph Maria Feldbrugge|title=The distinctiveness of Soviet law|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E7OJPKABUXwC&pg=PA23|year=1987|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers|isbn=90-247-3576-9|page=23|access-date=20 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222173645/https://books.google.sk/books?id=E7OJPKABUXwC&pg=PA23|archive-date=22 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[National Government of the Republic of China]], established in 1928, had a panel of about 40 people as collective head of state. Though beginning that year, a provisional constitution made the [[Kuomintang]] the [[One-party system|sole government party]] and the National Government bound to the instructions of the Central Executive Committee of that party.

==Legitimacy==
The position of head of state can be established in different ways, and with different sources of legitimacy.

===By fiction or fiat===
Power can come from force, but formal [[Legitimacy (political)|legitimacy]] is often established, even if only by fictitious claims of continuity (e.g., a forged claim of descent from a previous [[dynasty]]). There have been cases of sovereignty granted by deliberate act, even when accompanied by [[order of succession|orders of succession]] (as may be the case in a dynastic split). Such grants of sovereignty are usually forced, as is common with [[self-determination]] granted after [[Nationalism|nationalist]] revolts. This occurred with the last [[Attalid]] king of Hellenistic [[Pergamon]], who by testament left his realm to Rome to avoid a disastrous conquest.

===By divine appointment===
Under a theocracy, perceived divine status translated into earthly authority under [[divine law]]. This can take the form of supreme divine authority above the state's, granting a tool for political influence to a [[priest]]hood. In this way, the [[Amun]] priesthood reversed the reforms of Pharaoh [[Akhenaten]] after his death. The division of theocratic power can be disputed, as happened between the Pope and [[Holy Roman Emperor]] in the [[investiture]] conflict when the temporal power sought to control key clergy nominations in order to guarantee popular support, and thereby his own legitimacy, by incorporating the formal ceremony of [[unction]] during [[coronation]].

===By social contract===
The notion of a [[social contract]] holds that the nation—either the whole people or the [[:wikt:electorate|electorate]]—gives a mandate, through acclamation or [[election]].

===By constitution===
Individual heads of state may acquire their position by virtue of a [[Constitution#Distribution of sovereignty|constitution]], typically as a transitional measure as part of establishing the new form of government that the constitution decrees: For example, transitional provision 1 of the [[Constitution of Italy]] states that once the constitution enters into force, the {{ill|Provisional Head of State of Italy|it|Capo provvisorio dello Stato|lt=Provisional Head of State}} would automatically become [[President of Italy]] under it. An extreme example of this approach is [[Seychelles]], where the [[Constitution of Seychelles|1976 Independence Constitution]]'s Article 31 stated that [[James Mancham]] would be the first [[President of Seychelles]] by name, rather than by the fact he was the prime minister of colonial Seychelles immediately before independence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://citizenshiprightsafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Seychelles-Independence-Constitution-1976.pdf#p27|title=Seychelles Independence Constitution 1976 - Citizenship Rights in Africa Initiative|website=citizenshiprightsafrica.org|access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref>

===By hereditary succession===
[[File:Absolute cognatic primogeniture diagram.svg|thumb|Absolute cognatic primogeniture diagram. Legend: {{unordered list|Grey: incumbent|Square: male|Circle: female|Black: deceased|Diagonal: cannot be displaced}}]]

The position of a monarch is usually [[Hereditary monarchy|hereditary]], but in [[constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchies]], there are usually restrictions on the incumbent's exercise of powers and prohibitions on the possibility of choosing a successor by other means than by birth. In a hereditary monarchy, the position of monarch is inherited according to a statutory or customary [[order of succession]], usually within one [[royal family]] tracing its origin through a historical [[dynasty]] or bloodline. This usually means that the heir to the throne is known well in advance of becoming monarch to ensure a smooth succession. However, many cases of uncertain succession in European history have often led to [[War of succession|wars of succession]].

[[Primogeniture]], in which the eldest child of the monarch is first in line to become monarch, is the most common system in hereditary monarchy. The order of succession is usually affected by rules on gender. Historically "agnatic primogeniture" or "patrilineal primogeniture" was favoured, that is inheritance according to seniority of birth among the sons of a monarch or [[Pater familias|head of family]], with sons and their male issue inheriting before brothers and their male issue, to the total exclusion of females and descendants through females from succession.<ref name="NF T">[https://runeberg.org/nfcj/0023.html Tronföljd], ''[[Nordisk familjebok]]'', vol. 30 (1920)</ref> This complete exclusion of females from dynastic succession is commonly referred to as application of the [[Salic law]]. Another variation on agnatic primogeniture was the so-called semi-Salic law, or "agnatic-cognatic primogeniture", which allowed women to succeed only at the extinction of all the male descendants in the male line of the particular legislator.<ref name="NF T"/><ref>[[Statens offentliga utredningar|SOU]] 1977:5 ''Kvinnlig tronföljd'', p. 16.</ref>

Before primogeniture was enshrined in European law and tradition, kings would often secure the succession by having their successor (usually their eldest son) crowned during their own lifetime, so for a time there would be two kings in [[coregency]] – a senior king and a junior king. Examples include [[Henry the Young King]] of England and the early [[House of Capet|Direct Capetians]] in France.

Sometimes, however, primogeniture can operate through the female line. In some systems a female may rule as monarch only when the male line dating back to a common ancestor is exhausted. In 1980, [[Sweden]], by rewriting its [[Swedish Act of Succession|1810 Act of Succession]], became the first monarchy to declare equal (full cognatic) primogeniture, meaning that the eldest child of the monarch, whether female or male, ascends to the throne.<ref name="sweden as">[http://www.riksdagen.se/Global/dokument/dokument/laws/the-act-of-succession-2012.pdf Swedish Act of Succession (English Translation as of 2012)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140208040154/http://www.riksdagen.se/Global/dokument/dokument/laws/the-act-of-succession-2012.pdf |date=8 February 2014 }}, The [[Riksdag]]. Retrieved on 28 August 2013.</ref> Other European monarchies (such as the [[Netherlands]] in 1983, [[Norway]] in 1990 and [[Belgium]] in 1991) have since followed suit. Similar reforms [[2011 proposals to change the rules of royal succession in the Commonwealth realms|were proposed in 2011]] for the [[United Kingdom]] and the other [[Commonwealth realm]]s, which came into effect in 2015 after having been approved by all of the affected nations. Sometimes [[religion]] is affected; under the [[Act of Settlement 1701]] all [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]] and all persons who have married Roman Catholics are ineligible to be the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarch]] and are skipped in the order of succession.

In some monarchies there may be liberty for the incumbent, or some body convening after the death of the monarch, to choose from eligible members of the [[Royal family|ruling house]], often limited to [[Legitimate child|legitimate]] descendants of the dynasty's founder. Rules of succession may be further limited by [[state religion]], residency, [[Royal intermarriage|equal marriage]] or even permission from the [[legislature]].

Other hereditary systems of succession included [[tanistry]], which is semi-elective and gives weight to merit and [[Agnatic seniority]]. In some monarchies, such as [[King of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia]], succession to the throne usually first passes to the monarch's next eldest brother, and only after that to the monarch's children (agnatic seniority).

===By election===
[[File:Electoral systems for heads of state map direct.svg|thumb|250px|Countries where the [[electoral system]] directly elects their head of state, by type:
{{legend|#a02c5a|[[Two-round system]] (majority voting)}}
{{legend|#ff0000|[[First-past-the-post]] (plurality voting)}}
{{legend|#ff80e5|[[Instant-runoff voting]] (ranked-choice majority voting)}}]]
Election usually is the constitutional way to choose the head of state of a republic, and some monarchies: either [[direct election]] or [[indirect election]] by members of the legislature or another elected body (such as the [[Electoral College (United States)|Electoral College]] in the [[United States]]). [[Two-round system]]s or [[instant-runoff voting]] can reduce votes that could be [[wasted vote|wasted]] with the [[first-past-the-post]] system.<ref name="t314">{{cite journal | last1=Passarelli | first1=Gianluca | last2=Bergman | first2=Matthew | title=Runoff Comebacks in Comparative Perspective: Two-Round Presidential Election Systems | journal=Political Studies Review | volume=21 | issue=3 | date=2023 | issn=1478-9299 | doi=10.1177/14789299221132441 | doi-access=free | pages=608–624 | hdl=11573/1673986 | url=https://iris.uniroma1.it/bitstream/11573/1673986/1/Passarelli_Runoff_2022.pdf | access-date=19 July 2025}}</ref>

===By prerogative===
[[Exclusive right|Exclusive]] [[prerogative]] allows the heads of states of constituent monarchies of a federation to choose the head of state for the federation among themselves, as in the [[United Arab Emirates]] and [[Malaysia]]. The pope, head of state of Vatican City, is chosen by previously appointed [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinals]] under 80 years of age from among themselves in a [[conclave]].

===By appointment===
A head of state can be empowered to designate his successor, such as [[Lord Protector of the Commonwealth]] [[Oliver Cromwell]], who was succeeded by his son [[Richard Cromwell|Richard]].

===By force or revolution===
A head of state may seize power by force or [[revolution]]. This is not the same as the use of force to ''maintain'' power, as is practised by [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]] or [[Totalitarianism|totalitarian]] rulers. Dictators often use democratic titles, though some proclaim themselves monarchs. Examples of the latter include Emperor [[Napoleon I of France]] and King [[Zog of Albania]]. In Spain, general [[Francisco Franco]] adopted the formal title ''Jefe del Estado'', or Chief of State, and established himself as [[regent]] for a vacant monarchy. In some cases, a head of state may be designated or declare themselves [[president for life]], such as [[Kwame Nkrumah]] of Ghana.

===By foreign imposition===
A foreign power can establishing a branch of their own dynasty, or one friendly to their interests. This was often the outcome of the wars fought between the [[Roman Empire]] and the [[Parthian Empire]] over control of [[Kingdom of Armenia (antiquity)|Armenia]], a vital [[buffer state]] between the two realms.
The [[Roman–Parthian War of 58–63]] ended with a compromise: a Parthian prince of the [[Arsacid Dynasty of Armenia|Arsacid]] line would henceforth sit on the Armenian throne, but his nomination had to be approved by the [[Roman emperor]].<ref>Bivar (1983), p. 85</ref>

===Loss===
Apart from violent overthrow, a head of state's position can be lost in several ways, including death, another by expiration of the constitutional term of office, [[abdication]], or resignation. In some cases, an abdication cannot occur unilaterally, but comes into effect only when approved by an act of parliament, as in the case of British King [[Edward VIII]]. The post can also be abolished by constitutional change; in such cases, an incumbent may be allowed to finish their term. A head of state position may also cease to exist if the state to which it is subservient does.

Heads of state generally enjoy widest inviolability, although some states allow [[impeachment]], or a similar constitutional procedure by which the highest legislative or judicial authorities are empowered to revoke the head of state's mandate on exceptional grounds. This may be a common crime, a political sin, or an act by which the head of state violates such provisions as an established religion mandatory for the monarch. By similar procedure, an original mandate may be declared invalid.

==Former heads of state==
[[File:Berlin Nationaldenkmal Kaiser Wilhelm 1900.jpg|thumb|The National Monument to [[Emperor Wilhelm I]] in Berlin, Germany, dedicated 1897, nearly 10 years after his death. The monument was destroyed by the communist government in 1950.<ref name="BerlinHistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.dhm.de/archiv/ausstellungen/begas/en/das_nationaldenkmal_fuer_kaiser_wilhelm_i_in_berlin.html|title=Deutsches Historisches Museum Berlin - Reinhold Begas - Monuments for the German Empire - Exhibition|access-date=9 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209133404/http://www.dhm.de/archiv/ausstellungen/begas/en/das_nationaldenkmal_fuer_kaiser_wilhelm_i_in_berlin.html|archive-date=9 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> ]]

[[Effigy|Effigies]], [[memorial]]s and [[monument]]s of former heads of state can be designed to represent the history or aspirations of a state or its people, such as the equestrian bronze sculpture of [[National Kaiser Wilhelm Monument|Kaiser Wilhelm I]], first [[German Emperor|Emperor]] of a unified Germany<ref name="BerlinHistory"/> erected in Berlin at the end of the nineteenth century; or the [[Victoria Memorial, London|Victoria Memorial]] erected in front of [[Buckingham Palace]] London, commemorating Queen Victoria and her reign (1837–1901), and unveiled in 1911 by her grandson, King [[George V]]; or the [[Victoria Memorial (India)|monument]], placed in front of the Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata (Calcutta) (1921), commemorating Queen Victoria's reign as [[Empress of India]] from 1876.<ref>''[[George Frampton|Frampton's]] Jubilee Monument for Queen Victoria'', image with dog to show scale.[http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/frampton/7.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509195717/http://www.victorianweb.org/sculpture/frampton/7.html|date=9 May 2015}}</ref> Another, twentieth century, example is the [[Mount Rushmore]] National Memorial, a group sculpture constructed (1927–1941) on a conspicuous skyline in the [[Black Hills]] of [[South Dakota]] ([[List of states and territories of the United States|40th state of the Union, 1889]]), in the [[midwestern United States]], representing the territorial expansion of the United States in the first 130 years from its founding, which is promoted as the "Shrine of [[Democracy]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelsd.com/Attractions/Mount-Rushmore|title=Mount Rushmore National Memorial|work=TravelSouthDakota.com|access-date=7 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208035123/http://www.travelsd.com/Attractions/Mount-Rushmore|archive-date=8 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/mount-rushmore#|title=Mount Rushmore|work=HISTORY.com|date=16 December 2009 |access-date=7 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207130433/http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/mount-rushmore|archive-date=7 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Personal influence or privileges===
Former presidents of the United States, while holding no political powers [[List of Latin phrases (P)#per se|per se]], sometimes continue to exert influence in national and world affairs.

A monarch may retain his style and certain prerogatives after abdication, as did King [[Leopold III of Belgium]], who left the throne to his son after winning a referendum which allowed him to retain a full royal household deprived him of a constitutional or representative role. [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon]] transformed the Italian principality of [[Elba]], where he was imprisoned, into a miniature version of his First Empire, with most trappings of a sovereign monarchy, until his ''[[Hundred Days|Cent Jours]]'' escape and reseizure of power in France convinced his opponents, reconvening the [[Congress of Vienna|Vienna Congress]] in 1815, to revoke his gratuitous privileges and send him to die in [[exile]] on barren [[Saint Helena]].

By tradition, deposed monarchs who have not freely abdicated continue to use their monarchical titles as a [[Courtesy title|courtesy]] for the rest of their lives. Hence, even after [[Constantine II of Greece|Constantine II]] ceased to be ''[[King of the Hellenes]]'', it is still common to refer to the deposed king and his family as if Constantine II were still on the throne, as many European royal courts and households do in guest lists at royal weddings, as in [[Wedding of Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, and Daniel Westling|Sweden in 2010]], [[Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton|Britain in 2011]] and [[Wedding of Guillaume, Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, and Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy|Luxembourg in 2012]].<ref>[http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/wedding/theweddingday/stockholmcathedral/guestsattheweddingceremony.4.40e05eec12926f2630480001312.html Guests at the wedding ceremony: Wedding between Crown Princess Victoria and Mr Daniel Westling on Saturday 19 June 2010, 3.30 p.m., at Stockholm Cathedral] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729132452/http://www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/wedding/theweddingday/stockholmcathedral/guestsattheweddingceremony.4.40e05eec12926f2630480001312.html |date=29 July 2012 }}, [[Royal Court of Sweden]]. Retrieved on 12 November 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/blog/2011/April/23/Selected-Guest-List-for-the-Wedding-Service-at-Westminster-Abbey Selected Guest List for the Wedding Service at Westminster Abbey] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512074246/http://www.officialroyalwedding2011.org/blog/2011/April/23/Selected-Guest-List-for-the-Wedding-Service-at-Westminster-Abbey |date=12 May 2012 }}, [[Royal Households of the United Kingdom|The Royal Household]] (2011). Retrieved on 12 November 2012.</ref><ref>[http://www.monarchie.lu/pictures/photos/mariage-princier/Liste-des-invites_Cerem_-religieuse_20_10_2012_V11_10_2012.pdf Selected guest list for the wedding service at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Luxembourg on October 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705115810/http://www.monarchie.lu/pictures/photos/mariage-princier/Liste-des-invites_Cerem_-religieuse_20_10_2012_V11_10_2012.pdf |date=5 July 2014 }}, [[Government of Luxembourg]]. Retrieved on 12 November 2012.</ref> The current [[Greece|Hellenic Republic]] opposes the right of their deposed monarch and [[Greek Royal Family|former royal family members]] to be referred to by their former titles or bearing a surname indicating royal status, and has enacted legislation which hinders acquisition of [[Greek citizenship]] unless those terms are met. The former king brought this issue, along with property ownership issues, before the [[European Court of Human Rights]] for alleged violations of the [[European Convention on Human Rights]], but lost with respect to the name issue.<ref>[http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/sites/eng/pages/search.aspx?i=001-4238 THE FORMER KING CONSTANTINOS OF GREECE AND 8 MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY v. GREECE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131215255/http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/sites/eng/pages/search.aspx?i=001-4238 |date=31 January 2013 }}, (25701/94 | DECISION | COMMISSION (Plenary) | 21 April 1998) [[European Commission of Human Rights]]. Retrieved on 12 November 2012.</ref><ref>[http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/sites/eng/pages/search.aspx?i=001-59051 CASE OF THE FORMER KING OF GREECE AND OTHERS v. GREECE] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131232632/http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/sites/eng/pages/search.aspx?i=001-59051 |date=31 January 2013 }}, (25701/94 | Judgment (Merits) | Court (Grand Chamber) | 23 November 2000), [[European Court of Human Rights]]. Retrieved on 12 November 2012.</ref>

However, some other states have no problem with deposed monarchs being referred to by their former title, and even allow them to travel internationally on the state's [[Passport#Full passports|diplomatic passport]].

The Italian constitution provides that a former president of the Republic takes the title President Emeritus of the Italian Republic and becomes a senator for life, and enjoys immunity, flight status, official residences and certain privileges.

==See also==
{{Portal|Politics}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[21-gun salute]]
* [[Aide-de-camp]]
* [[Air transports of heads of state and government]]
* [[Bodyguard]]
* [[Cult of personality]]
* [[Directorial system]]
* [[Head of government]]
* [[Honors music]]
* [[Leadership]]
* [[Mirrors for princes]]
* [[National day of mourning]]
* [[Oath of allegiance]]
* [[Oath of office]]
* [[Official residence]]
* [[Official state car]]
* [[Power behind the throne]]
* [[President (government title)|President]]
* [[Sacred king]]
* [[State funeral]]
* [[State visit]]
* [[Strongman (politics)]]
{{div col end}}

===Lists===
{{div col}}
* [[List of current heads of state and government]]
* [[List of elected and appointed female heads of state and government]]
* [[List of heads of state by diplomatic precedence]]
* [[List of longest reigning current monarchs]]
* [[List of state leaders by year]]
* [[Records of heads of state]]
* ''[[World Leaders]]''
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|first=Joanne|last=Foakes|title=The Position of Heads of State and Senior Officials in International Law|series=Oxford International Law Library|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MXm9AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA110|year=2014|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford, UK|isbn=978-0-19-964028-7|ref= Foakes}}
* {{cite book |last=Markwell |first=Donald |author-link=Donald Markwell |title=Constitutional Conventions and the Headship of State: Australian Experience |publisher=Connor Court|year=2016 |isbn=9781925501155}}
* {{Cite book | editor-last1 = Roberts | editor-first1 = Sir Ivor | editor-link = Ivor Roberts (diplomat) |title = Satow's Diplomatic Practice | location = Oxford | publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] | year = 2009 | edition = Sixth | isbn = 978-0-19-969355-9 | ref = Roberts }}
* {{Cite book | last = Robertson | first = David | title = A Dictionary of Modern Politics: Third Edition | location = London | publisher = Europa Publications | year = 2002 | isbn = 1-85743-093-X | url = https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmode0000robe | url-access = registration | page = [https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmode0000robe/page/221 221] | quote = head of state. | ref = Robertson }}
* {{cite encyclopedia
|last= Watts
|first= Sir Arthur
|author-link= Arthur Watts (barrister)
|editor-last= Wolfrum
|editor-first= Rüdiger
|editor-link= Rüdiger Wolfrum
|encyclopedia= [[Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law]]
|title= Heads of State
|url= http://opil.ouplaw.com/view/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690-e1418
|access-date= 5 October 2015
|year= 2010
|publisher= [[Oxford University Press]]
|series = Oxford International Public Law
|ref= Watts2010
}}
* {{cite book |author-last1=Zhang|author-first1=Runhua | chapter = | pages = |editor-last1=|editor-first1=|editor-last2=|editor-first2=| year = 2014| title = The Constitutional and Legal Development of the Chinese Presidency The Emperors' New Clothes? | language = | volume = | publisher = [[Lexington Books]] | isbn = 9780739189900}}

==External links==
{{Wiktionary|head of state}}
{{Commons category|Heads of state}}
{{Wikidata property|P35}}
{{Monarchies}}
{{Government}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Heads of state by region
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{{Heads of state and government of Africa}}
{{Deputy heads of state and government of Africa }}
{{Heads of state and government of the Americas}}
{{Heads of state and government of North America }}
{{South America government from 1990}}
{{Heads of state and government of Asia}}
{{Southeast Asian leaders}}
{{Heads of state and government of Europe }}
{{Heads of state of the European Union member states }}
{{Heads of state of OPEC member states}}
{{Heads of state and government of Oceania  }}
{{List of current heads of state of G20}}
{{Current G7 Heads of State }}
}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Government institutions]]
[[Category:Heads of state| ]]
[[Category:Monarchy]]