The system of electing university presidents in Spain, Switzerland, Italy, and the United Kingdom has distinctive characteristics. Almost all university presidents are elected by teachers and students, either directly or indirectly through elections with government approval of the appointment a mere formality. Principles of these elections include respecting teachers' needs, openness and transparency, and competitiveness; the universities also have stringent institutional infrastructure and procedural norms. The powers and responsibilities are clear during the university president's time in office. The university council, board of trustees, university senate, and other internal management systems and mechanisms guarantee that university presidents are able to fully exercise their power and assume their corresponding responsibilities.