President (government title)

In most republics, the term "president" is used to refer to the head of state.

The tasks performed by a president differ depending on the kind of government under which they are performed. If they exist at all in parliamentary republics, they are typically, but not always, restricted to the functions of the head of state and are therefore essentially ceremonial affairs. In presidential, selected parliamentary (e.g., Botswana and South Africa), and semi-presidential republics, the role of the president is more important, covering (in the majority of instances) the powers of the head of state and government as well. When it comes to authoritarian regimes, a dictator or the head of a one-party state may be referred to as the president.

In certain cases, the titles "Mr. President" and "Ms. President" may be used to refer to those who occupy the office of president or who preside over certain other governmental organisations, such as the United Nations General Assembly. "Mr. President" is a term that has since been used by countries to refer to their own heads of state. It is the standard translation of non-English titles such as Monsieur le Président for the president of the French Republic, as well as other official titles in France. It has also been used for a long time as the title of the presiding authorities of legislative and judicial bodies, as well as for other purposes. In French, the speaker of the House of Commons of Canada is referred to as the president de la Chambre des communes, while in English, he is referred to as Mr. Speaker.