ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the presidency, the traditional source of formal power and of much of the imagery of strongmen, caudillos, and charismatic populists that has come to characterize Latin America. Most presidential system aims to ensure that the president gains a sufficient share of the vote to have a valid mandate, often through a second round of voting that gives the eventual winner clear democratic legitimacy. The principle of no re-election is common in Latin America and often has symbolic importance because of memories of past dictatorships. A key characteristic of presidentialism in Latin America is 'dual legitimacy' – the simultaneous democratic legitimacy of both president and congress and the source of many of the problems associated with presidentialism. Presidents in Latin America can be placed under great pressure by protest movements because they are seen as the main source of power in the political system.
