Democracy also includes the right to debate and an opposition with the ability to force the Government into open debate. In most democratic countries, a President is a figure head, with executive powers and for major issues has to get the agreement of the elected representatives of the people.
Our electoral system at least gives us a stable government, and many of us prefer a small majority, it prevents things like the Blair wars.
Protest, yes you have to get permission, of course you do, unlike some countries we need to have Police to protect all sides, unlike Russia we do not have a few thousand hard line riot Police lying about. Occasionally protest marches are stopped but usually because they are likely to cause serious counter protest and riot, ie racist and anti religious marches, if you read the arrests, you will find the fifty odd were for possession of weapons, drugs, refusing to remove masks, and assault, hardly peaceful.
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