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@evan In parliamentary democracies, it's not unusual for the Prime Minister to work out of Parliament buildings, but the Head of State can still live in a building which serves both as home and office. The King works in Buckingham Palace, the French President works in the Elysée, and the Irish President works in the Phoenix Park.
@evan oh, I did not understand this to be question. I took it as "leaders" as in "the leaders of the country" like should the people in parliament have to live in the parliament building.
@stinerman I mean, that's what the president of the United States does. Don't you consider him a leader of the country?
@evan yes. But I read it as "the leaders" applied to several countries not "the leader" applied to several countries. I guess I don't have much of an opinion if the head of state should have housing set aside for them like the US President does but I'm a firm "no" that members of a legislative body should not all have to live in the same building, like a very weird frat house or retirement community.
There's definitely a difference here between constitutional monarchies and republics. It's not universal, but it seems like heads of government, like PMs, are less likely to live in their workplace if there's a monarch who combines a residence with a ceremonial centre.
Here in Canada, the Prime Minister has a residence at 24 Sussex Drive, but a separate office building. Ceremonial events happen either at 24 Sussex Drive or at Rideau Hall, the residence and office of the Governor General.
(24 Sussex Drive is being renovated, so nothing happens there right now. But, you know, *usually*.)
@evan
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@evan in Germany, the president - the nominal head of state - lives and works in the official residence of Schloss Bellevue.
Meanwhile, the chancellor (prime minister), who actually runs the government, doesn’t live in the same building where they work.
I think it's good to separate these functions into separate buildings. I like having professional administrators operate the government. So, I would say no.
@evan
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@evan no, but it might be convenient for protection reasons. Or they should live in a shed in the Head of State's backyard, like's it been in Canada for a generation or so.
@evan Democratic countries should provide security for the *office* not the *officeholder*. If one individual is incapacitated by malicious intent, there are multiple competent and polity-approved backups who may instantly and seamlessly assume their duties. An executive council of 5-7, with a rotating presidency, would assure coverage during all watches and not create any "most important building in the country" security issues.
@evan One thing is that the leader and family move in and make millions of $$$ of decoration and even structural changes (not referring to only the current US one).
@evan The Prime Minister of the UK is also a local Minister of Parliament, and so has at least three places of work: the PM's office (10 Downing St. or Burnham's Northern equivalent), the MP's constituency office somewhere else in the country, and Parliament. They certainly can sleep at Downing Street if the hours demand it, but, like anyone else, they should have some time off in their own home.
@y6nH 10 Downing Street in the official residence of the Prime Minister. Prime Ministers and their families do actually live and work in the building.
@evan
I don't think anyone should live in the exact space they work, unless that's easier and more comfortable for them. Feeling constantly at work isn't good for many people. However, they should live in the community that they work in to understand the realities of the people.
@evan I'm trying to imagine having to build apartments into Parliament. Nope.
@evan I feel like they should live in the communities they represent. Which are often nowhere near where they work.
@evan
I think it's fine. Saves time and money. We don't really want to have a crisis blow up because the President is stuck in traffic on his daily commute.
Of course, I mean "President" generically. With the current one, the less he does, the better.
@evan Yes, but that should apply to any and every citizen. You should be able to live walking distance from work. Daily commute is the worst invention.
@evan I said yes, separate, but… within walking distance and of average means for their constituents
@neontapir yes is same, not separate.
@evan it's important to have a good work/life balance
@evan No, but. Even if you have an important job, you should be able to have a private life, and it's easier to separate that from work if your workplace and your home are separate.
But you'd still want a place in your house where you can do a bit of work; it's hard not to take some things home.
@mpjgregoire @evan Well put, I agree.
@virtuous_sloth @mpjgregoire so, we have a funny mix in Canada. Our GG has an office, home and ceremonial centre at Rideau Hall. The PM works in an office separate from their official residences. Most of the LGs have official residences but separate offices; no premiers have official residences. And of course HRH the K of C has no office and chooses to spend most of his time abroad in his vacation home. He swings through town every few years to pick up his mail and check in with his pals.
@virtuous_sloth @mpjgregoire we used to have a few mayor's mansions around the country but I think they're mostly gone now.
@evan Define democratic country 😁
@evan Not yet. If we get there someone where the risk of confusing personal and professional roles is minimal, I wouldn't mind. But definitely not yet.
Hey, everyone. Thanks for the replies and responses.
Some countries like the US, France, and Brazil have a presidential palace that combines an official residence with a ceremonial centre and an administrative office.
Others, like Japan, Germany and Norway separate these functions into different buildings. Some heads of government even live in private homes.