A
deputy prime minister or
vice prime minister is, in some countries, a
government minister who can take the position of acting
prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to that of a
vice president, but is significantly different, though both positions are "number two" offices. The position of deputy prime minister should not be confused with the
Canadian Deputy Minister of the
Prime Minister of Canada, which is a non-political
civil servant position (Nor does the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada act as a "number two"). The states of
Australia and provinces of
Canada each have the analogous office of
deputy premier. In the
devolved administrations of the
United Kingdom, an analogous position is that of the
deputy first minister although this position in Northern Ireland has the same powers as the First Minister..