The Ethiopian Government operates as a federal parliamentary republic, where the Prime Minister is the head of government. The country is divided into regional states, each with its own government, reflecting Ethiopia's diverse ethnic groups. The federal government is responsible for national defense, foreign affairs, and economic policy. The House of Peoples' Representatives is the lower house of the Federal Parliamentary Assembly, while the House of Federation serves as the upper house. Elections are held every five years, and the government is tasked with promoting development and maintaining stability in a nation with a rich cultural heritage and complex history.