France Politics in a semi-presidential regime

5 th Republic Constitution Constitution designed to increase the authority of the executive Constitution does so by strengthening the Premier and weakening the National Assembly Regime can be more presidential – president in direct command or more parliamentary, depending on who controls the National Assembly

France’s Fifth Republic: politics in a semi-presidential Unitary system –divided into 21 regions and 95 departments Semi-presidential –President (head of state) is directly elected for 5 year terms (until 2002, 7 years) –Premier (head of government) is appointed by the President, but must retain the confidence of the National Assembly (lower house of a bi-cameral parliament)

France: politics in a semi- presidential regime Directly elected president – head of state -- gives overall direction to government policy Premier – head of government – hired and fired by the President – but must serve with the confidence of the National Assembly National Assembly (lower house) can censure the Premier and force/his or her removal

The Fifth Republic Party System Like all French party systems, a multiparty system Reflecting the electoral law (double ballot – runoff system) and competition for a single indivisible presidency, parties tend to cluster in two blocs, the left & the right

Elections Presidential elections precede regular parliamentary elections (one month gap) Voters often – but not always – give parties supporting the president a parliamentary majority This determines whether the constitution operates in Presidential or Parliamentary mode

Balance among President, Premier and National Assembly: Presidential mode: Parties supporting President have a majority in the National Assembly President appoints and may remove the Premier Premier implements president’s program Parliamentary mode –Parties opposing the president have a majority in the National Assembly –National Assembly can censure premier if it so chooses –Outcome: Stalemate and/or parliamentary elections OR Cohabitation – power- sharing

Presidential dominance: Parties supporting the President have a majority in the National Assembly President appoints a premier of his choice Premier carries out the President’s program, securing the passage of legislation as need National Assembly and Senate comply. –Premier may make legislation a matter of confidence –If he does so, the legislation passes unless 10% of deputies file a motion of censure The motion is passed by an absolute majority (50% +1) of the entire National Assembly

Parliamentary mode: Parties opposing the president have a majority in the National Assembly President may appoint premier of his choice, but National Assembly can censure –If premier (and cabinet) are censured, they must resign –President may then Dissolve the National Assembly and call for new elections (but only once per 12 month period) Appoint a premier acceptable to the National Assembly majority, resulting in cohabitation or power-sharing

Presidential power? Who is more powerful vis á vis other actors in the system: the President of the United States or the President of France? If so, in what respects?