> Wikipedia says the President is the "head of state" and the Prime minister is the "head of government"... but that doesn't really help me understand the role

> Wikipedia says the President is the "head of state" and the Prime minister is the "head of government"... but that doesn't really help me understand the role and powers of each in practice. This is like Ireland. The head of government is responsible for running the country day to day. While the president is responsible for representing the country in a ceremonial way (far less powerful but often more popular). Often they rubber stamp some legislation but often have little power. In the US the roles are combined in to the Presidency. In the UK the Queen is the head of state and Boris Johnson is head of government.