French Parliament 4 March 2022

Composition, Powers and
Functions of the French

Parliament
Lecture Outline
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309
 What is French Parliament?

 Composition
 Powers and Function of French
Parliament
 Legislative Functions
 Control over Executive
 Power to Authorize War and Approve
Treaties
 Constitutional Functions
 Electoral Functions
 Research Links
What is French Parliament?
 The contemporary period for French political

institutions began with the revolution of French Revolution of
1789. 1789
 By the Constitution of 1875, the 3rd Republic The French Revolution was a
of France established a bicameral Parliament period of radical political
consisting of two houses: the Senate and the and societal change in
France that began with the
National Assembly.
Estates General of 1789 and
ended with the formation of
 The Constitution of the 5th Republic is based the French Consulate in
on the principle of separation of powers and November 1799.
distinguishes clearly between the Executive
and the Legislative.
 The National Assembly is the main

legislative body of the French
Republic. It passes laws, monitors
government actions and evaluate
public policies.
 Each assembly conducts legislative

sessions at separate locations in
Paris:
 The Senate meets in the Palais du
Luxembourg
 The National Assembly meets at
Palais Bourbon
Composition
Composition
 The Bicameral French Parliament, where the
people of France's representatives meet to
conduct the people's role in governance.
Two-Ballot System
 The National Assembly is composed of 577 A voting method used to

deputies who are directly elected for a term of elect a single candidate,
five years on the basis of two-ballot system. where voters cast vote
for their preferred
candidate. The election
 Out of 577 deputies, 555 represent France usually proceeds to a
proper, the remaining 22 deputies represent second round only if in
overseas territories like New Caledonia and the first round no
French Polynesia. candidate has received a
simple majority (more
than 50%) of votes cast.
 The French Senate is composed of 348
senators indirectly elected for six years.
Composition
 The prime minister and other government

ministers are appointed by the French
President.
 Prime minister and other ministers usually

do belong to the majority party. The
Cabinet of Ministers is led by the president
rather than the prime minister.
 Government usually consists of members

from the political party that dominates the
Assembly and must be supported by a
majority there to prevent a vote of no-
confidence.
Composition
 The parliament meets for a single nine-

month session each year but under
special circumstances the French
President can call special session.
 National Assembly is more powerful than

the French Senate, and in the case of a
disagreement over a certain clause in a
law or the entire law itself
 National Assembly generally gets its way,
especially if that opinion is supported by
the President.
Powers and Function of
French Parliament
Powers and Function of French Parliament
Legislative Functions
 The subjects on which the Parliament can

Organic Laws
legislate have been enumerated in Article-34 of
the constitution. An organic law is a law,
or system of laws, that
 A separate way for passing organic law is laid form the foundation of
down. Organic Laws can be promulgated only a government, corporati
on or any other
after a declaration by the Constitutional
organization's body of
Council. rules.
 The French Parliament can pass two types of

laws. The laws which determine the rules and
the laws which determine the fundamental
principles.
Law which Determine the Rules

Concern
– Civil rights and fundamental guarantees
of the public liberties of the citizens as
regards their persons and property for
purposes of national defense,
– The nationality, status and legal
capacity of persons, property, marriage
and inheritance.
– Laws related to collection of taxes and
the currency system
– Criminal laws, the creation of new
orders of jurisdiction about amnesty
and the stature of the Judiciary.
Laws Determining the Rules Concerning
 The electorate system of Parliamentary and local
Assemblies
 The creation of categories of public corporations
Public Corporation
 The fundamental guarantees of civil servants and
members of the armed forces A corporation, owned
 Nationalization and the transfer of property from and operated by a
the public to private sectors government,
established for the
Law of Fundamental Principles administration of
 Law about National defense, education, labor, certain public
trade union and social security. programs.
 Law related local entities of their powers and of
their resources.
 Law of property and civil and commercial
contract.
Financial Powers
 The French Parliament has control over the
national finances. Financial bills are prepared
by the Government and are passed by the
Parliament.
 Every year, the Government prepares a

budget for the next financial year and
presents, bring it under debate it in the
Parliament finally passed by the Parliament.
 Money bills can be introduced only in the

lower house i.e., the National Assembly.
After passing the bill, the National Assembly
sends it to the Senate.
 If the National Assembly doesn't complete

the first reading of` the bill within a time limit
of 40 days, the government refers the bill to
the Senate, which must rule within a time
limit of 50 days.
 If Parliament fail to reach a decision within a

time limit of 70 day, the provisions of the bill
may be enforced by presidential ordinance.
 Thus, the French Parliament enjoys the power

to control finances but doesn't enjoy that vital
a place as is usually enjoyed by the
Parliament of a democratic state.
Control over Executive
 The French Parliament also has the power
to control the executive. The executive of
France is responsible before the Lower
House of the French Parliament.
 Article 49 declares:
 The Prime Minister, after discussions in the
Council of Ministers, initiates the
responsibility of the Government before
the National Assembly, on its programme
or, if it be so decided, on a general
declaration of policy.”
 Thus the National Assembly could defeat
the government earlier on its programme
or general policy.
 The National Assembly can challenge the
responsibility of the Government by proposing a
vote of censure.
 A censure motion against the Government can be
Vote of Censure
initiated in the National Assembly by 1/10th of its
members.
 The motion can be put to vote only after 48 hours A process in which
of its introduction. members of
parliament vote in
order to officially
 Thus, the National Assembly maintains a close
criticize the
supervision upon the Government.
government for
 However, the Constitution also imposes a
something
limitation on this power of the National
Assembly.
 Only one censure motion can be introduced in
one session.
Power to Authorize War and Approve
Treaties
 The executive powers of the Parliament
also include the power to authorize the
declaration of war under the Article 35 of
French Constitution.
 The Government shall inform Parliament

of to have the armed forces intervene
abroad or engage at home.
 This information may give rise to a debate,
which shall not be followed by a vote.
 If intervention shall exceed 4 months, the
Government shall submit the extension to
Parliament for authorization.
 Under the Article 53 of French

Constitution, Peace Treaties, Trade
agreements, agreements relating to
international organization may be
ratified or approved only by an Act of
Parliament
Constitutional Powers
 The members of the Parliament and the

Government have the right to amend the
constitution under Article 44.
 A bill for amending the constitution can

be introduced in either House of the
Parliament.
 Article-89, elaborates the process of

amendment. President, PM or any
deputy can initiate amendment bill.
 3/5 (60%) votes are required fro both

houses for amendment. If amendment bill
doesn't pass by the 3/5 majority of both
houses then the President can submit the
bill to a referendum.
 Constitutional Council has the power of

judicial review of the proposed
amendment.
 No amendment procedure shall be

commenced where the integrity of national
territory is placed in jeopardy.
Electoral Functions
 The Parliament of the Republic has the

right to appoint half of the deputies of the
Senate.
 The two Houses of the Parliament

together elect the members of the High
Court of Justice.
 Six members of the Constitutional Council

are nominated by the National Assembly
and the Senate.
Research Links
• http
://studylecturenotes.com/powers-functions-of-french-parliam
ent
/
• https://
www.constituteproject.org/constitution/France_2008.pdf?lan
g=en
• https://
www.yourarticlelibrary.com/essay/essential-powers-of-the-fre
nch-parliament/44271

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French Parliament 4 March 2022

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Composition, Powers and

Functions of the French

 What is French Parliament?

 The contemporary period for French political

 The National Assembly is the main

 Each assembly conducts legislative

 The National Assembly is composed of 577 A voting method used to

 The prime minister and other government

 Prime minister and other ministers usually

 Government usually consists of members

 The parliament meets for a single nine-

 National Assembly is more powerful than

 The subjects on which the Parliament can

 The French Parliament can pass two types of

Law which Determine the Rules

 Every year, the Government prepares a

 Money bills can be introduced only in the

 If the National Assembly doesn't complete

 If Parliament fail to reach a decision within a

 Thus, the French Parliament enjoys the power

 The Government shall inform Parliament

 Under the Article 53 of French

 The members of the Parliament and the

 A bill for amending the constitution can

 Article-89, elaborates the process of

 3/5 (60%) votes are required fro both

 Constitutional Council has the power of

 No amendment procedure shall be

 The Parliament of the Republic has the

 The two Houses of the Parliament

 Six members of the Constitutional Council

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