Which governmental structure typically allows for early elections if a vote of no confidence is passed?

Parliamentary systems are characterized by a close relationship between the executive and legislative branches. In these systems, the executive leader, often referred to as the Prime Minister, is typically a member of the legislature and derives their authority from the support of the majority within that body. If the government loses the confidence of the majority, usually signified by a vote of no confidence, it can lead to the dissolution of the government and the calling of early elections. This mechanism is designed to ensure that the government retains the confidence of the representative body, reflecting the will of the electorate.

In contrast, federalism relates to the distribution of power between national and subnational entities, while presidential systems feature a separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, where the president does not necessarily depend on the legislature's confidence to remain in office. Confederations involve loose alliances of sovereign states and do not typically have a centralized government that would hold votes of no confidence in the same way. This structural distinction highlights why parliamentary systems are the focus when discussing the ability to call early elections following a vote of no confidence.