French Parliament

Question 1

Parliament rules have to confirm with

Answer 1

those which have been set out by the constitution

Question 2

Not all laws have to

Answer 2

pass though Parliament and some can be enforced by governmental regulation

Question 3

What is the function of the block vote?

Answer 3

It means that any law that Parliament wants to pass has to be passed in its entirety which limits dissent and opposition- this is controlled by the government

Question 4

What does the issue of confidence entail

Answer 4

allows bills and texts to be forced through and counts - particularly useful in a hung parliament

Question 5

How has Parliament become less of an issue for pass Bills?

Answer 5

The majority of the time the President has been supported by a presidential majority

Question 6

How was Parliament in the period from 1918-58?

Answer 6

Frequently paralysed governments by denying them support
Enjoyed a monopoly on supplying ministers
Complete control of its own agenda and could

Question 7

How did Parliament control the rules from 1918-58?

Answer 7

It had the right to legislate in any domaine

Question 8

To what extent is a Parliamentary backing necessary under the 5th Republic?

Answer 8

The government needs a NA support to be prosperous but there are a number of Powers that limit the power of the Parliament and put the power in the hands of the President

Question 9

How have the requisites changed for entry into a Parliamentary position?

Answer 9

Now possible to simply enter based on a ministerial position rather than experience in Parliament itself - Jaques Chirac offers this example with his seat in Ussel

Question 10

Special sessions rule

Answer 10

Typically parliament meets twice a year with special sessions allowed to debate a specific agenda

Question 11

Which party is guilty of initiating more Parliaments

Answer 11

They doubled in the Period of Socialist government from 81-86

Question 12

Government has more or less influence on law making?

Answer 12

More- outside a limited area of bill making according to article 41 it can overrule any bill

Question 13

Committees give Parliament what?

Answer 13

The opportunity to set out debates for discussion - they act as the foundations for a debate essentially

Question 14

Who is the coordinator of bills discussed by The senate and the NA?

Answer 14

The government decides the extent to which they are urgent and also whether they are presented to the NA or the Senate first

Question 15

To whom is Parliament responsible?

Answer 15

the Government who it can’t question as easily anymore - this means in the exception of one case it is impossible to overthrow the Government
Chirac and Mitterrand might have faced more extensive questioning by committees had the constitution allowed it

Question 16

interpellations

Answer 16

Government no longer allowed to be questioned by Parliament - deputies limited to written questions which would then be answered weeks later

Question 17

Parliament article limitations on spending

Answer 17

40 art says Parliament can’t propose higher spending or alternatively lower taxes

Question 18

Initiator or transformer of laws

Answer 18

more of a transformer of laws

Question 19

Parliament had gained more institutional importance over the years, but in what sense?

Answer 19

it has benefited from shorter terms

It has been allowed more committees

Question 20

Is parliament imbalanced?

Answer 20

Middle class white men seem to be the dominating force 
Women accounting for little in the process 10.9% in 1997- changed somewhat by Parity regulations 
Second generation immigrants left out

Question 21

Struggle of implementation in Parliament

Answer 21

Watered down driving offence system -rushed- parliament not given enough time to debate problem- the law not implemented till months after

Question 22

How much control does Parliament have over the budget?

Answer 22

Parliamentarians have three months to debate it and often have a very minimal impact- 2000 only 70 billion out of 1,500 billion francs was reconfigured

Question 23

What is the procedure for responding to questions?

Answer 23

over 3/4 of many oral questions to the executive get a reply (1967-73)- many ministers would refuse these questions and on occasions Junior Ministers would be used to respond when Ministers regarding the question at hand would simply not turn up despite being legally obliged to

Question 24

Who does the President of the NA favour?

Answer 24

The majority party which ultimately means some bills will simply be ruled over

Question 25

How is the ability of the Parliament to obtain information independent of the Executive hindered?

Answer 25

A small budget prevents them whilst very few ministers redistributed for different committees eg with the rise in health and family affairs

Question 26

Chirac in 1993 said what to the elected majority regarding their role?

Answer 26

Said that they should focus on their role as a representative for their constituent first and then concentrate on Parliament- the result of this was that Parliament was often half full thus limiting the effect of Parliament

Question 27

Give a second factor for absenteeism?

Answer 27

Multiple office holding ie member of Parliament/ Mayor

Question 28

Can the senate block constitutional change?

Answer 28

Bah OUI

Question 29

Giscard reforms to the institutional importance of Parliament

Answer 29

Questions to the government and the importance of the CC in bills process- can be referred them

Question 30

What was the name of the President of the NA that made major reforms to standing orders and Committee work?

Answer 30

He increased their frequency and parameters in which they could take place - Séguin

Question 31

Extended competences in which area?

Answer 31

Social security budget negotiation and better able to manage and evaluate government direction in a very important area

Question 32

Example of increase in obstructions and amendments made by Parliament

Answer 32

ability to slow down the procedure for passing bills and ensure further debater eg when the socialists fought against the sécurité and liberté law

Question 33

the effect of the senate on legislation under De Gaulle and Mitterrand

Answer 33

DG- they were opposed to the constitution

Mitt- opposed to many of the schemes such as nationalisation which slowed the process down

Question 34

Loi d’habilitation

Answer 34

Government can enforce this constitutional article en order to speed up legislation and avoid discussion on potentially dividing issues

Question 35

Private Bills

Answer 35

Deputies can use Parliament as a way of passing individual bills, this has increased since 1995
Séguin used to limit political contribution of Business’