Euro Area

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Westminster, yes, but not all "parliamentary" systems.

In the Neth's, and Belgium too I believe, it's actually illegal for a minister to also hold a seat in parliament. If they're elected in a chamber they'll have to give up their seat.

In the UK and Italy on the other hand having a seat in parliament is mandatory so Monti was given a senate seat for just that purpose.

It's not a proper Parliamentary System then - the whole point is to remove the separation between executive and legislature. This is deliberate and is done for two reasons.

1. To reduce the power of personality politics - most obvious in 2010 when the "Clegg effect" utterly failed to generate actual gains for the Lib-Dems.

2. To hamstring the executive as much as possible and make it vulnerable to the wrath of the MP's elected by the people.

Separation of Powers - just say no.