Political system of France

Major Political System

Project​ ON

Political system of France

SUBMITTED TO:

Ms. Anita Samal

Faculty, Political Science

SUBMITTED BY:

Bholeshwar Dhruw

Roll no. 48

SECTION - C

SEMESTER IV, B.A. LLB(HONS.)

SUBMITTED ON:

February 15, 2017

HIDAYATULLAH NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

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 Political system of France

Uparwara Post, Abhanpur, New Raipur – 492002 (C.G.)

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 Political system of France

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I feel highly elated to work on the project “Political system of France”. The practical realisation
of the project has obligated the assistance of many persons. Firstly I express my deepest gratitude
towards Ms. Anita Samal, Faculty of Political Science, to provide me with the opportunity to
work on this project. Her able guidanceship and supervision were of extreme help in
understanding and carrying out the nuances of this project.

I would also like to thank The University and the Vice Chancellor for providing extensive
database resources in the library and for the internet facilities provided by the University.

Some printing errors might have crept in which are deeply regretted. I would be grateful to
receive comments and suggestions to further improve this project.

Bholeshwar Dhruw

Roll No. - 48

Section - C, Semester IV

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 Political system of France

CONTENTS

1. Acknowledgements
2. Introduction
Methodology

Objectives

Scope of the Study

Organisation of the Study

3. President of France
4. Government
5. Parliament
6. Conclusion
7. References

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 Political system of France

Introduction
In the French political system, it take place with the framework of a hybrid
parliamentary/presidential ​system​ determined by the ​French Constitution​ of the ​fifth Republic​.
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The nation declares itself to be an "indivisible, ​secular​, ​democratic​, and social ​Republic​”. The
fifth republic was established in Oct. 4 1958, and was largely the work of General de Gaulle - its
first president, and Michel Debré his prime minister. It has been amended 17 times. Though the
French constitution is parliamentary, it gave relatively extensive powers to the executive
(President and Ministers) compared to other western democracies. The head of state and head of
the executive is the President, elected by universal suffrage. The present president is Francois
Hollande and his residence is the Elysée Palace in Paris. The President, who is also supreme
commander of the military, determines policy with the aid of his Council of Ministers. The
President appoints a prime minister, who forms a government. The residence of the French Prime
Minister is at Matignon House in Paris. The current prime minister is Manuel valls.

The French parliament is made up of two houses or chambers. The lower and principal house of
parliament is the ​Assemblée nationale,​ or national assembly; the second chamber is the ​Sénat​ or
Senate. Members of Parliament, called ​Députés​, are elected by universal suffrage, in general
elections ​(électionslégislatives)​ that take place every five years. Senators are elected by "grand
electors", who are mostly other local elected representatives. The electoral system
for parliamentary elections involves two rounds; a candidate can be elected on the first round by
obtaining an absolute majority of votes cast. The second round is a runoff between two or more
candidates, usually two.Until 2014, the left-wing Socialist party had a majority in both houses.
Under the constitution, the two houses have similar powers.

There is a multi-party system with a great many different political parties – many more than in
either the US or UK. Politicians from parties on the Right may hold views more in line with
parties of the Left in other countries. In French politics, the term ‘​libéral’​ tends to mean
free-market liberalism - the opposite of ‘​socialisme​’ – and the Left use it as a derogatory term to
describe the perceived anti-social policies of the Right. All very confusing for Aliens.

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First sentence of Article 1 of France constitution.
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Methodology:
This Research Project is descriptive and analytical in nature. Accumulation of the information on
the topic includes wide use of primary sources cases as well as secondary sources like books,
e-articles etc. The matter from these sources have been compiled and analysed to understand the
concept.

Websites, dictionaries and articles have also been referred.

Objectives:

The objectives of the current project are:

1. To Analyse the Pillars of Political System.

2. To understand the working of France Government.

Scope of the Study:

The current project attempts to Analyse the political system of France. Further the project does
not delve into the depth of the political system of France. The author aims to cover the unique
aspects of the France Political in brief keeping in mind the time constraint.

Organization of the Study:

This project report has been organized into five sections. The ​first section deals with the
introduction along with the Research methodology employed in preparation of this project. The
second section comprises of President of republic of France which is the executive body of
Constitution and its Powers. The ​third section deals with the Government of France. The ​fourth
section deals with the Parliament of France and legislative and judiciary. Lastly the ​fifth section
deals with the Conclusion to this project.

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CHAPTER -2

The President of the republic

The head of state and head of the executive is the ​President​, elected by universal suffrage. ​He is
the head of the state and not the titular executive but the real executive. ​The
president of the republic shall see that the Constitution is observed. He shall ensure, by his
arbitration, both the proper functioning of the governmental authorities and the continuity of
State. He shall be the guarantor of national independence, the integrity of the territory and
Observance of Community agreements, and of treaties. . Since May 2012, France's president is
François Hollande.

Terms of Presidency​: Originally, a president of the Fifth Republic was elected for a 7-year term
renewable any number of times. Since 2002 the President has been elected for a 5-year term
Since the passing of the 2008 Constitutional reform, the maximum number of terms a president
can serve has been limited to two. The procedures implementing this Article Shall be laid down
in an Organic Act.

Election and qualification of President: ​Candidates must be French citizens. In order to stand
they must first gather 500 signatures from elected officials (eg.mayors). Those who sign are
sometimes called sponsors, though their signatures don't necessarily imply support for a
candidate's ideas. The names of the sponsors are published shortly before the election date so
mayors are careful about giving their signatures. The rule is designed to limit the number of
frivolous candidates. Articles 6 and 7 of the constitution would be revised by a bill to
be voted on at a referendum a procedure as laid down in Article 11. The president
of the Republic shall be elected by an absolute majority of votes cast if no majority
obtains at the 1​st​ ballot, a 2​nd​ ballot can be placed on the 2​nd​ Sunday following the
1​st​ ballot.

The election nearly always has two rounds. In theory, if any candidate wins an absolute majority
(50 per cent of the vote plus at least one extra vote) he or she is immediately elected. In practice,
this has never happened. Charles de Gaulle came the closest, winning 44 per cent in the first

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round in 1965. ​Usually the two candidates with the highest scores in round one, face each other
in a second round, held 14 days later. The eliminated candidates often advise their voters who to
back, among the two remaining hopefuls. A candidate who comes second in the first round could
win the presidency if he has broader support in the second round. ​The president is directly
elected by the French people, no electoral colleges as in US. Elections are always held on
Sundays. Campaigns finish at midnight on the Friday before the vote. ​Voting stations open at 8
am and close at 6 pm in small towns, 8 pm in cities.

Power of president​: ​The French president performs all those function, which are usually
performed by a constitutional head of the State. The President shall appoint the prime minister.
he shall terminate that appointment when the latter tenders the resignation of the Government.
According to Blondel, “The constitution of 1958 was introduced primarily in order to strength
the executive.” ​In the 5​th​ Republic the post of the president has become so much important and
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significant.

Executive Power​: ​The executive powers of the French President are in the following; Power
of Appointment: The French president is the head of the state and the government. All things are
done in the name of the president According to Finer; “The president appoints the prime minister
and the other minister having the advice of the prime minister. He has the right to control both of
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them. the cabinet is the leader of the government and president is the leader of the cabinet. The
president can refuse resolution asked by the prime minister. When the cabinet opposition party
defeated the Government on a vote of censure in 1962, the president promptly dissolved the
National Assembly although the prime minister had submitted his resignation of his government.
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Appointment of the Military Force , Adviser of the Constitutional Council, Power of Foreign
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Affair , Power of Making Treaties .
Legislative powers​: ​There are some legislative powers of the president. These are the
following: Power of Sending Message, it has been discussed in the article 18 of the constitution.

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http://mamunedu.blogspot.in/2011/12/question-describe-power-and-function-
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​According to Article 8 of 5​th​ Republic.
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​ Article 9 from 5​th​ Republic
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​Article 15 from the 5​th​ Republic:
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​Article 14 from the 5​th​ Republic:
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​article 52
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No Veto Power: French president has no veto power as the president of U.S.A has. He cannot
refuse any bill after accepting in the parliament, but he can send any bill or party for
reconsideration to the parliament. The reconsideration of the president may not be refused.
Referendum: The president relates to the submission of bills to the people at a referendum
calling of referendum is a personal act of the president and the constitution specifically provides
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that it does not require the countersignature of the prime minister , Convokes of Special Session
of Legislature, Dissolution of National Assemble: The president can dissolute the national
assemble at any time on any issue and for any reason. The constitution imposes only one
limitation on the president’s power of dissolution. He cannot dissolute it twice in the same year​.

Judicial Powers:​ ​There are some judicial powers of the French president. These are the
following: Consults with Higher Council: The constitution vests in the president the power of
pardon and consults with the higher council of the judiciary under the conditions determined by
an organic law. The higher council of the judiciary also assists the president in the appointment
of higher court of justice. Power of Pardon: On the president has the right of pardon of any
criminals. In this work he needs not the reorganization with the prime minister and
others. Negotiative Power: The French president has Negotiative power of his own.

Emergency Power​: In the Article 16 it is said, “When institution of the republic, the
independent of the nation the integrity of its territory or the fulfillment of its international
communities are treated a grave and immediate and when the regular functioning the
constitutional government authorities is interrupted the president of the republic shall take the
measures commanded by these circumstances after office constitution with premier the president
of the Assemble and the constitutional council. He shall inform the nation all these in a massage.

CHAPTER-3

THE GOVERNMENT

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​Article 19 French constitution 5​th​ Republic
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Appointed by the President of the Republic (Head of State), ​the Prime Minister​ is the Head of
Government. He "directs the actions of the Government" (article 21 of the Constitution) and in
principle sets out the essential political guidelines which, except in the case of cohabitation, are
those of the President of the Republic. He must also ensure the coordination of Government
action and prevent different ministers from taking contradictory initiatives through his
arbitration. He is not the hierarchical superior of the other ministers. He may never force them to
take a decision which they are unwilling to take responsibility for, but he may suggest their
dismissal to the President in the event of serious misconduct. This role of overseeing
Government action is facilitated by certain components: the Prime Minister, in the name of the
Government, "shall have at its disposal the civil service" (art. 20), internal services located at the
Hôtel Matignon (General Secretariat of the Government, cabinet, etc.) and ​a large number of
services​ assigned to it.

The Prime Minister ensures the implementation of laws and exercises regulatory power, subject
to the signature by the Head of State of ordinances and decrees which have been deliberated
upon in the Council of Ministers. He may, in exceptional circumstances, replace the President of
the Republic as chairman of the Council of Ministers. He is also responsible for national defence,
even though the broad guidelines are often set by the President of the Republic.

The ministers and ministers of state​ are appointed by the President of the Republic upon a
proposal of the Prime Minister. Their powers are centred around two main missions. On the one
hand, the ministers head a ministerial department. In addition, ministers are responsible for the
supervision of public legal entities acting within their ministerial department's field of
competence. In principle, ministers do not hold regulatory power (that is the power to dictate
general standards), except in the administration over their own ministerial department.
Regulatory power is generally exercised by the Prime Minister, who may delegate the exercise of
this power to his ministers. However, the latter must countersign the decrees of the President of
the Republic and the Prime Minister pertaining to the areas falling within their competence.

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On the other hand, ministers are entrusted with a political mission. Their primary role is one of
impetus and implementation of Government policy. Participation in political life was
traditionally part of their activities under the Third and Fourth Republics. Now, with the
exception of election periods during which the ministers are enlisted, the political aspect of their
activity is limited to the Council of Ministers and Parliament where discussion is opened up on a
particular aspect of Government activity.

General policy Statement

The general policy statement is a tradition in the Fifth Republic but is not an obligation laid
down by the Constitution. Article 49, paragraph 1 stipulates that the Prime Minister can commit
the Government by means of a vote of approval by members of parliament on its programme or
“potentially on a general policy statement”. The Prime Minister uses this speech to imprint a
style and adopt the role of head of the parliamentary majority.

The Government’s commitment is not compulsory when it comes into office. Therefore, some
Governments have never made such commitments and accordingly drew legitimacy solely from
appointment by the President of the Republic, or, as in the case of the ninth parliament (1988 to
1993) because they did not have an absolute majority in the National Assembly. However, since
1993, all Governments have asked for a vote of confidence by the National Assembly within a
few days of appointment.

In particular, several Governments have asked for a vote of confidence by the National
Assembly in relation to a special event. In total, Article 49, paragraph 1 has been exercised 35
times since 1958.

Provisions of Article 49 of the Constitution

Title V of the Constitution of 4 October 1958 covers relations between the Parliament and the
Government (Article 34 to 51-2). Article 49 stipulates the arrangements for control by the

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Parliament including three options for calling into question the Government’s commitment
before the National Assembly

● when the Government asks for a vote of confidence on its programme or makes a statement of
general policy. In the event of a negative vote by the absolute majority of votes cast, the
Government must resign;
● by the tabling of a censure motion by one-tenth of the members of parliament, adopted by the
absolute majority of the members of the National Assembly. The Government is consequently
overturned;
● when the Government applies Article 49.3 of the Constitution. Members of parliament can table
a censure motion and vote on it within 48 hours to object to legislation being adopted without a

vote. In this case, the Government is also required to resign​.

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

The Council of Ministers is the collegial body which brings together all ministers (Ministers of
State normally sit on the Council of Ministers when matters which they are responsible for are
discussed) and is a means of demonstrating the Government’s unity. The General Secretary of
the Government and the General Secretary of the President of the Republic also sit on this body.
It is the only government body defined by the Constitution.

The Council of Ministers meets on a weekly basis usually on Wednesdays, under the
chairmanship of the President of the Republic, at the Elysée Palace. The agenda is decided
jointly by the President and the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister proposes and the President
approves the agenda.

The meeting is comprised of three stages:

● the first stage focuses on texts of general interest – bills, ordinances, decrees – for which
deliberation by the Council of Ministers is necessary;

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● during the second stage, individual decisions are covered mainly relating to the appointment of
senior civil servants;
● the third stage is generally devoted to a presentation by a minister on the state of progress of a
reform which he/she is in charge of, a speech by the President who may request the participants’
opinion on a particular point. The Minister of Foreign Affairs gives a weekly update on the
international situation.
At the end of the Council of Ministers, the General Secretary of the Government draws up a
statement of decisions which reports and confirms the decisions taken. The General Secretary of
the Government also draws up comprehensive meeting minutes.

CHAPTER -4
PARLIAMENT OF FRANCE

The Parliament of France consist of the National Assembly and the Senate.
National Assembly: The term of the ​National Assembly​ (or lower house of parliament) is five
years; however, the President of the Republic may dissolve the Assembly. Deputies of National
Assembly elected by direct suffrage. There will be 577 seats in the Assembly, of which 22
represent overseas territories, are drawn up on the basis of national censuses, with each one
supposed to contain around 100,000 voters which sits in a classical column-fronted building
facing the River Seine in central Paris. Voting takes place under a constituency-based simple
majority system, but in two rounds. of which 22 represent overseas territories, are drawn up on
the basis of national censuses, with each one supposed to contain around 100,000 voters.
To be chosen in the first round of voting, an applicant must acquire no less than half of the votes
cast, with a turn-out of no less than 25% of the enlisted voters on the constituent rolls. On the off

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chance that no hopeful is chosen in the first round, the individuals who survey in overabundance
of 12.5% of the enlisted voters in the first-round vote are entered in the second round of voting.
In the event that no hopeful go along such conditions, the two most astounding setting applicants
development to second round. In the second round, the applicant who gets the most votes is
chosen. Every competitor is selected alongside a substitute, who assumes the hopeful's position
in the occasion of failure to speak to the electorate, when the appointee gets to be serve.

SENATE: ​ ​The Senate or upper house or Senate, elected by indirect suffrage -- has fewer powers

than its opposite numbers in many other democracies. Its ability to block or amend legislation is
limited by the powers of the government, which is itself often beholden to France's powerful
head of state.

The president can under certain circumstances dissolve parliament and call new elections, and
the constitution allows the government to force through laws without a vote, a controversial
procedure which new President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will abolish.

The government also has full control over the parliament's order of business, which reduces the
scope for individual initiatives by deputies.

Legislators are chosen by implication by around 150,000 authorities ("grands électeurs"),

including territorial councilors, office councilors, chairmen, city councilors in substantial towns,
and individuals from the National Assembly. Be that as it may, 90% of the voters are agents
delegated by councilors. This framework presents a predisposition in the piece of the Senate
favoring provincial zones. As a result, while the political greater part changes every now and
again in the National Assembly, the Senate has remained politically right subsequent to the
establishment of the Fifth Republic, much to the disappointment of the Socialists. This has
impelled debate, particularly after the September 2008 senatorial elections in which the
(left-wing) Socialist Party, in spite of controlling everything except two of France's locales, a
larger part of départements, and cooperatives speaking to more than half of the populace, still
neglected to accomplish a dominant part in the Senate. The Senate has additionally been blamed

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for being an "asylum" for government officials that have lost their seats in the National
Assembly.

Amendment Procedure​: Protected modifications are started by the President of France on a

proposition by the French Prime Minister and individuals from the French Parliament. The task
or the proposed modification ought to be ... gone by both houses with indistinguishable terms.
The audit is last in the wake of being affirmed by choice.

In any case, the proposed modification is not submitted to submission if the President of the
Republic chooses to submit it to Parliament met in Congress; for this situation, the proposed
correction is affirmed just on the off chance that it gets three-fifths larger part of the votes cast.
No amendment method might be initiated or proceeded with which risks the uprightness of the
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domain. A government or Private Members Bill for amendment must be Passed by the two
Assemblies in identical terms. The amendment shall become definitive after approval by
referendum. Nevertheless, the proposed amendment shall not be submitted to a referendum when
the President of the Republic decides to submit it to parliament convened in Congress; in this
case, the proposed amendment shall be approved only if it is accepted by a 3/5​th majority of the
votes cast. The bureau of the Congress shall be that of the National assembly.no amendment
procedure may be undertaken or followed when the integrity of the territory is in jeopardy.

Legislation: All legislation shall be passed by parliament of republic legislation shall establish
the rules concerning --- Civil rights and the fundamental guarantees granted to the citizens for
the exercise of their public liberties; the national defence obligations imposed on citizens in
respect of their persons or property. nationality of status, and capacity of persons, property rights
arising out of a matrimonial relationship, inheritance and gifts; the assessment bases, rates, and
methods of collecting taxes of all types; the issuance of currency.

Legislation likewise determine the regulations Concerning; the electoral systems of the
parliamentary Assemblies and local Assemblies;

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Article 89 of 5​th​ French Constitution
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The creation of categories of public establishments; the fundamental guarantees granted to civil
and military personnel employed by the state; it determine the general organization of national
defence; free local government and the powers and resources of local authorities; education;
program Acts has specify the objectives of state economic and social policy.

Declaration of war must be authorized by Parliament.

Ordinances- the government may, in order to carry out its program, ask Parliament to authorize
it, for a limited period, to take by ordinance measures normally within the legislative sphere.
Ordinance shall be enacted in meetings of the Council of Ministers after consulation with the
Conseil d’Etat. They shall come into force upon their publication, but shall become null and void
if the bill for their ratification is not submitted to parliament before the date set by enabling act.

Upon expiry of the period referred to in the first paragraph of this Article the Ordinances may be
amended only by act of Parliament in respect of those matter, which are within the legislative
domain.

If it is found in the course of the legislative procedure that a Private Member's Bill or amendment
is not within the domain of law or is contrary to a delegation granted by' virtue of Article 38, the
Government may declare its inadmissibility. (2) In the event of disagreement between the
Government and the President of the Assembly concerned, the Constitutional Council, at the
request of either party, shall rule within eight days.

Discussion of Bills (1) In the first Assembly to which it is referred, a Government Bill s
discussed on the basis of the text put forward by the Government. hall be (2) An Assembly
which has before it a Bill passed by the Assembly shall deliberate on the text transmitted to it.

Legislative Procedures: (1) Acts defined under the Constitution as organic shall be passed and
amended as follows (2) A Government Private Members Bill shall be submitted for discussion
and to a vote in first Assembly in which it has been tabled not less than fifteen days after that
tabling. (3) The procedure of Article 45 shall be applicable. Nevertheless, in the absence of
agreement between the two Assemblies, a bill may be adopted by the National Assembly on final
reading only by absolute majority of its members. (4) Organic Acts relating to the Senate must

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be passed in the same wording, by the two Assemblies, (5) 0rganic Acts may be promulgated
only after the Constitutional Council has declared them constitutional.

The Judiciary​: The president is the guarantor of the Independence of the Judiciary. He shall be
assisted by the Counseil Superieur de la Magistrature. the Minister of justice shall be its
ex-officio Vice-president, it Consist nine members appointed by the president of the Republic
under the terms laid down by an organic Act. It make proposals for appointment of Judges of the
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cour de Cassation and of Presiding Judges by the court of Appeal. An organic Act shall
determine the status of members of the Judiciary. The ​Ministry of Justice​ handles the
administration of courts and the judiciary, including paying salaries or constructing new
courthouses. The Ministry also funds and administers the prison system. Lastly, it receives and
processes applications for presidential ​pardons​ and proposes legislation dealing with matters of
civil or criminal justice. The Minister of Justice is also the head of public prosecution, though
this is controversial since it is seen to represent a conflict of interest in cases such as ​political
corruption​ against politician. At the bottom of the court hierarchy are the courts of minor
jurisdiction. The next tier are the courts of major jurisdiction. When the court hears ​délits​, less
serious felonies and misdemeanors, it is called a Criminal Court. The judiciary, guardian of
individual liberty, shall enforce this principle under the conditions stipulated by legislation​.

CHAPTER-5
Major Political Parties in France
Some of the major political parties of France are as follows:
1. The Socialist Party:
This is a major political party of France. It was established in 1905. This party believes in state
control over industry and state intervention in favour of planned economy. It stands committed to
uphold the democratic and republican character of the French Political System. It stands for

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​ ​that they have supreme jurisdiction in quashing the judgments of inferior courts if those courts misapplied law
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nationalization, welfare state, planned economic investment, public housing, industrialisation,

more civic liberty, municipal liberty and local welfare services.

It favors the French membership of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and of the EEC
and other agencies of the European Community. This party is a well-organised party. The lowest
units of this party arc called Sections and these are organised in the Communes, Cantons and
Arrondisements.

Several Sections combine together to form a Federation. In each Department there is a

Federation. At the apex of the party organisation, is the National Congress. It consists of
delegates elected by the Sections and the Federations. It works as the parliament of the party. It
appoints a Directory Council and a General Secretary. These two perform the executive
functions of the party.

2. Popular Republican Movement (M.R.P. i.e. Movement Republican Populaire):

The party was established in 1924 by those persons who were previously the members of the
People’s Democratic Party. This is a partly-liberal and partly-socialist party. It is opposed to both
extreme liberal capitalism and totalitarian collectivism.

Like the Liberalists, this party also believes in the rights and liberties of the individual. It also
favours liberal governmental aid for schools run by the Churches. The members of this party are
committed to the Christian ideals. This party is a well-organised party having its units at local,
provincial and national levels.

3. The Radical Socialist Party:

This party was established in 1936. It represents the interests of the lower classes, small
shop-keepers in particular. This party is a loose group of Democratic and Socialist Resistance
Unions.

4. The Conservatives (The RGR):

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This party consists of a number of political groups. At the time of 1946 elections, the
Independents, the Peasants, the Socialist Worker’s Party and the Republican Party of Liberty
merged with this party. Together, these called themselves the ‘Fourth Force’. It is a rightist party
and a firm supporter of the Church and Church institutions. It still calls itself a Fourth Force. It
has the support of the Independents, the Peasants, the Socialists Workers’ Party and the
Republican Party of Liberty. In fact, these four groups together form the Conservatives or the
RGR in the French Party System.

5. The Communist Party:

This party had its birth in the form of the Socialist Party in 1892. In 1920, there came a split in
the Socialist Party. A majority of the members of this party decided to form the Communist
Party which was to follow Marxist-Leninist ideology and programme. Between 1920- 1990, the
Communist Party of France remained an active actor in French politics. Its popularity got
subsequently reduced. It believes in complete state control over the means of production and
distribution. It is a Marxist party working within the democratic French Political System. It is a
well disciplined and well-organised party.

The lowest units of this party are the Cells, which are organised in different factories and
villages. Several Cells are grouped together to form a Section. At the Department level, there is a
Federation which represents the Sections. At the national level, there is the National Congress of
the Party. This Congress works as the parliament of the party.

It elects a Permanent Committee of 100 members and this Committee further elects a small
committee called the Committee of the Political Control. The prominent leaders of the party are
members of this committee. It is now a minor political party as it enjoys the support of around
5% voters.

6. The Union of New Republic (The U.N.R.) and the Rally for the Republic RPR:

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The Union of the new Republic (U.N.R.) was established only a few weeks before the 1950
elections.

It was formed by combining the four major Gaullist movements viz:

(1) The Socialist Republicans,

(2) The Union for French Renewal,

(3) The Republicans Convention and

(4) The Workers’ Committee for the support of General de Gaullle.

It was only in 1961 that the U.N.R. was in a position to formulate a policy for itself. This party
has firm faith in liberal democratic principles. Its leaders often describe it as ‘a Centre Party’.
During the era of Gauilism in French politics, this party out rightly supported the policies of the
government. It was given the name of the government party. It support progressive reforms and
is opposed to traditional conservativism. It stand for “radical social change with intense
nationalism” Ideologically, it definitely stands right of the centre.

The French Party System is a complex phenomenon characterised by continuous and rapid flux,
involving alignments, realignments and counter alignments. The party scene in the National
Assembly usually contains as many as twenty groups or parliamentary formations. The remarks
made by Dorothy Pickles that “parties come and go in bewildering numbers, sometimes within a
very short time” is an apt description of the French Party System.

The conscious attempts made by the framers of the Constitution of the Fifth Republic to reduce
the menacing role of political parties bear testimony to this view. The political parties in France
are far from being strong, well structured and organised parties with definite ideological
commitments​.

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Conclusion

The country is governed under the 1958 constitution (as amended), which established the Fifth
French Republic and reflected the views of Charles ​de Gaulle​. It provides for a strong president,
directly elected for a five-year term; an individual is limited to two terms as president. A premier
and cabinet, appointed by the president, are responsible to the National Assembly, but they are
subordinate to the president. The bicameral legislature consists of the National Assembly and the
Senate. Deputies to the 577-seat National Assembly are elected for five-year terms from
single-member districts. The 348 senators are elected for six-year terms from each department by
an electoral college composed of the deputies, district council members, and municipal council
members from the department, with one half of the Senate elected every 3 years.

France is a republic with a mixed presidential-parliamentary system of government, also known

as a semi-presidential system. The president, the head of state, is elected directly to a five-year
term (until 2002 it was seven years), with the possibility of re-election. He or she appoints the
prime minister and cabinet, sets overall government policy, and plays an especially prominent
role in national security and foreign policy, with formal command of the armed forces and
responsibility for concluding treaties. The president can dissolve Parliament before the end of its
term and may rule by decree in emergency situations. The prime minister and other ministers
handle the implementation of government policy, making more detailed, day-to-day decisions.

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 Political system of France

B​ibliography
Books

● Harman Finer, ‘The Major Government of Modern Europe’ in 1970; page no.160

● M. Duverge, ‘The French political system’ in 1928; page no. 105

● V.D. Mahajan, ‘Select Modern Government’ in1977; Page No.528-30

● S .E .Finer, ‘Comparative Government’ in 1970; Page No-303

● Pylee M.V., Select Constitutions of the world, universal Law publications, 2002 edition.
● Vidhya Bhusan , World Constitutions, 12​th​ edition, 2014

● D. M. Pickles, ​The Fifth French Republic(​ 3d ed. 1966) and ​France​ (2d ed. 1971)

Websites

● http://www.France.org.cn/French /legislative /25025

● http://www1.french culture.org/library/2008-02/14
● http://www.hg.org/article
● http://www.olemiss.edu/courses/pol324/chinajudiciary
● www.Jstor.com
● www.shodhganga.com

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