[BrandoElFollito]

It is a great analogy even for someone from Europe.

In (4), though, I do not get the French exception. There are many countries in Europe with a president and a prime minister

[sampo]

> There are many countries in Europe with a president and a prime minister

In most of those countries, the role of the president is mostly ceremonial and/or has to do with foreign policy outside of EU.

[BrandoElFollito]

Out of my head: Poland, Checkia, Cyprus, Portugal, Romania -- all these have real presidents.

Germany and Italy are exceptions, not the rule

[sampo]

You are correct that Czechia, Cyprus and Romania (and France, and Lithuania) send their president to the European Council. But Poland and Portugal, and all other countries, send their prime minister.

22 countries: Prime minister

5 countries: President

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Council#Members

[BrandoElFollito]

> But Poland and Portugal, and all other countries, send their prime minister

Yes, but what does it have to do with the original point about countries with real power presidents?