Chapter 2 France

1
Chapter 2France

• Robert Elgie

2
France

• Introduction
• The Fifth Republic in Context
• The political institutions of the Fifth Republic
• Political parties in France
• Frances European policy

3
Introduction

• Fifth Republic established in 1958
• 13 different Constitutions since 1789 Revolution
• Sometimes regime transition has been bloody and
  violent e.g. the end of the Paris Commune in
  1871

4
The Fifth Republic in context

• Algerian independence movement undermined Fourth
  Republic
  
• General Charles de Gaulle seen as potentially
  unifying president
  
• De Gaulle agreed to Presidency, on the condition
  that a new Republic be created
  

5
The Political Institutions of the Fifth Republic

• A presidentialized system of government
• France formally has a semi-presidential
  executive
  
• President has a large role in French government,
  especially under de Gaulle
  
• De Gaulles legacy has created a tradition of
  presidential leadership
  
• Under cohabitation the presidents role is
  greatly reduced

6
Presidents in the Fifth Republic (1959-2005)

• 1959-69 Charles de Gaulle (gaullist)
• 1969-74 Georges Pompidou (gaullist)
• 1974-81 Valéry Giscard dEstaing
  (centre-right liberal)
  
• 1981-95 François Mitterand (socialist)
• 1995- Jacques Chirac (gaullist/centre-righ
  t)

7
Periods of cohabitation

• 1986-88 President Mitterand (socialist) and
  PM Chirac (gaullist)
  
• 1993-95 President Mitterand (socialist)
  and PM Balladur (gaullist)
  
• 1997 2002 President Chirac (gaullist) and PM
  Jospin (socialist)
  

8
The wider French state

• French political system traditionally viewed as
  highly state-centred
  
• Power and influence of French public sector has
  declined
  
• Tradition of dirigiste economic and social
  policy
  
• European Union has undermined ability of French
  state to implement its traditional dirigiste
  policy
  
• French state decentralized since 1982

9
Political parties in France

• Two-block, multi-party system
• Socialist-led left block (includes Communists and
  Greens)
  
• Right block Union for a Popular Majority (UMP)
• National Front (FN) exists on the far-right

10
Frances European policy

• France was founder member of EC
• Strong supporter of CAP
• Mitterand was important force behind Maastricht
  Treaty
  
• Lack of domestic support for further European
  integration
  
• 29 May 2005 France voted against the European
  Constitution