I was so certain you were speaking of Berlusconi when I started reading this! Oh, I believe you forgot to mention that he bought Milan to become popular. You do not necessarily need to know about the hoes to make it count.
In my country we have what's translated as: Parliamentary Republic. (republic=democracy)
The parliamentary elections happen every 4 years and in those you vote mainly for the party you want in, and secondary for your representative. The voting system is the traditional "first past the post". These elections create the government and the Prime Minister.
The parliament elects every 5 years the President, who doesn't have to be a member of the parliament. His role is to check on the decisions taken by the parliament, to serve as a check for the unity of the parliament, and for the most important matters to even do a referendum.
The requirements to vote are: Be over 18, to have the country's nationality, and not be currently in jail
+ free higher education
+ free healthcare
- high unemployment
- problems with taxation