[baddox]

In fact, it’s called the three branches of government. I’m sure what other word would go after “of.”

[umanwizard]

It's called that in the US. We're talking about Europe.

[baddox]

Most of those countries have roughly the same three branches, don’t they?

[roywiggins]

Roughly, but the nomenclature is different. It's kind of the opposite of metonymy, it's using the more general word ("government") to refer to the more specific thing (the current set of politicians in power).