What term describes a government where one party controls the presidency and another controls Congress?

The term that accurately describes a government where one party controls the presidency while another party has control of Congress is "divided government." This situation often arises in the context of a political system where the presidency and congressional majorities are held by different parties, creating a potential for checks and balances but also leading to gridlock in policymaking.

In a divided government, the differing party affiliations can result in difficulty passing legislation since cooperation is necessary between the executive and legislative branches to reach agreement on policies and laws. This contrasts with a unified government, where the same party holds the presidency and both chambers of Congress, allowing for a more streamlined policy-making process. A coalition government typically refers to a multiparty system where multiple parties work together, often seen in parliamentary systems, while a federal government structure refers to the division of powers between national and state entities.