The executive branch of many countries consists of a head of state and a head of government. in the united states, the president performs both of these roles. in the united kingdom, the head of state is the king or queen while the head of government is the prime minister. in the french republic, the head of state is the president while the head of government is the prime minister. 1. which best explains how executive power works in the french republic? the president and the prime minister share identical powers. the president's role is symbolic while the prime mini