The political structure of France was formed as a result of a long constitutional development and the repeated alternation of republican and monarchical models of government. The country's unique history has caused a number of features of its power system. The head of state is the president, who is endowed with fairly broad powers. What place does the Prime Minister of France occupy in the political system? To answer this question, it is necessary to turn to the origins of the current constitution of the country.
Fifth republic
The end of World War II was the starting point of modern political history in France. The liberation of the country from fascist occupation gave an impetus to the establishment of a democratic system and the adoption of an appropriate constitution. The new fundamental law entered into force in 1946. The historical period began with it, which was called the Fourth Republic (the three previous ones were created and abolished after the French Revolution).
In 1958, the threat of civil war forced the constitution to be revised and the power of the president strengthened, which at that time was General Charles de Gaulle. This initiative was supported by bourgeois parties that had a majority in parliament. As a result of these events, the country's political history entered the era of the Fifth Republic, which continues to this day.
Constitution
One of the important compromises reached during the negotiations between General Charles de Gaulle and members of parliament was an agreement on the separation of functions between the President and the Prime Minister of France. Together, principles were developed that formed the basis of the new constitution. They provided for the election of the head of state exclusively by universal suffrage, the mandatory separation of the three branches of government and an independent judiciary.
The new fundamental law established a form of government that combines the features of a presidential and parliamentary republic. The 1958 Constitution gives the head of state the right to appoint cabinet members. However, the government, in turn, is responsible to parliament. The fundamental law of the Fifth Republic was revised several times in connection with the provision of independence to the colonies and the abolition of the death penalty, but its main principles remained unchanged.
Political structure
The system of state power includes the president, prime minister of France, the government and parliament, divided into two houses: the National Assembly and the Senate. In addition, there is a constitutional council. This is an advisory body composed of members of parliament and members of the government.
Role of the president
The 1958 Constitution reflects the views of General Charles de Gaulle on government. A distinctive feature of the fundamental law of the Fifth Republic is the concentration of political power in the hands of the president. The head of state has considerable freedom of action in the formation of a new cabinet and personally selects candidates for senior posts in the government. The Prime Minister of France is appointed by the President. The only condition for final approval at this post is the confidence of the National Assembly in relation to the candidate nominated by the first person of the country.
The head of state is endowed with special powers in the field of lawmaking. Acts adopted by parliament do not enter into force unless approved by the president. He has the right to return the bill for reconsideration. In addition, the head of state issues decrees and decrees that require approval only from the French Prime Minister.
The President of the Fifth Republic is the head of the executive branch of government and at the same time has the ability to influence the work of the country's legislative body to some extent. This practice fits into the concept proposed by Charles de Gaulle as a national leader acting as a general arbitrator.
