In France it's closer to the US than to a purely parliamentary democracy like the UK.
I disagree. Recent experiences of cohabitation (president from one side, but parliamentary majority form the other side) have shown that most of the executive power is in fact vested with the PM, chosen by the National Assembly. The President retains some prerogatives (notably over the military and diplomacy, and a lot of less visible nominations in variousadministrations), but day-to-day power clearly is with the PM. And Jospin's 5-year stint in power under Chirac showed that this is a stable situation, if not easy to manage for the PM.
The recent change in the presidential mandate from 7 to 5 years has not yet been tested in a cohabitation situation, but I don't expect it to be different. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
The recent change in the presidential mandate from 7 to 5 years has not yet been tested in a cohabitation situation, but I don't expect it to be different.
In future I'd expect the trend to be towards more actual power to the PM, but there's no guarantee of this. Seeing the autocratic tendencies of a Villepin, for example, makes me wonder what kind of PM he would appoint and what autonomy he would give that person if he were PRF. He would have the constitution on his side if he chose to act like a monarch (which many, don't forget, considered Mitterand did in his time...)
I would like to see changes in the constitution linking the PM more directly to the parliamentary majority, as happens by convention during cohabitation periods.
Also, I am confused again. Upthread, afew states that the President chooses the PM, not the parliament:
In France, like in the US, the head of state is an elected president who does have a lot of political power. That, among others, of appointing the executive. ... (and) the French pres chooses a PM who draws up a list of ministers for approval (in fact the pres does most of the choosing).
and you say:
the executive power is in fact vested with the PM, chosen by the National Assembly.
Even during "cohabitation" the President still picks the PM, just from a different party. Who has the final say on policies? The President or the PM? Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire
But the president chooses the Prime Minister. He doesn't even have to take a PM from the political world. For example, Giscard d'Estaing appointed Raymond Barre PM in 1976 on his status as an economist, not as a political figure. As long as there's a parliamentary majority that will support the government and vote its bills, it's OK.
