Politics and Government Politics and Government
Thu, December 5, 2024
[ Thu, Dec 05th 2024 ] - Brian Stokes
Thursday Briefing

Why Does France Have Both a President and a Prime Minister?


Published on 2024-12-05 02:30:55 - Brian Stokes, N@N
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  • Why does France have a president and a prime minister at the same time? Explore how their roles differ within the French government to balance power.

The article from MSN discusses the dual executive system in France, where both a President and a Prime Minister share governmental powers. This system, established by the French Constitution of the Fifth Republic in 1958, aims to balance power and ensure stability. The President, elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year term, holds significant influence over foreign policy, defense, and has the power to appoint the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, on the other hand, is responsible for domestic policy and the day-to-day running of the government, needing to maintain the confidence of the National Assembly. This cohabitation can lead to complex political dynamics, especially when the President and the parliamentary majority are from different political parties, resulting in a situation known as "cohabitation," where the President must share power more equally with the Prime Minister. This setup reflects France's attempt to blend elements of presidential and parliamentary systems, providing checks and balances while sometimes leading to political tension or cooperation depending on the alignment of political forces.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/why-does-france-have-both-a-president-and-a-prime-minister/ar-AA1vgS1b ]
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