French Parliament Flashcards
Parliament rules have to confirm with
those which have been set out by the constitution
Not all laws have to
pass though Parliament and some can be enforced by governmental regulation
What is the function of the block vote?
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
What does the issue of confidence entail
allows bills and texts to be forced through and counts - particularly useful in a hung parliament
How has Parliament become less of an issue for pass Bills?
The majority of the time the President has been supported by a presidential majority
How was Parliament in the period from 1918-58?
Frequently paralysed governments by denying them support
Enjoyed a monopoly on supplying ministers
Complete control of its own agenda and could
How did Parliament control the rules from 1918-58?
It had the right to legislate in any domaine
To what extent is a Parliamentary backing necessary under the 5th Republic?
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
How have the requisites changed for entry into a Parliamentary position?
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
Special sessions rule
Typically parliament meets twice a year with special sessions allowed to debate a specific agenda
Which party is guilty of initiating more Parliaments
They doubled in the Period of Socialist government from 81-86
Government has more or less influence on law making?
More- outside a limited area of bill making according to article 41 it can overrule any bill
Committees give Parliament what?
The opportunity to set out debates for discussion - they act as the foundations for a debate essentially
Who is the coordinator of bills discussed by The senate and the NA?
The government decides the extent to which they are urgent and also whether they are presented to the NA or the Senate first
To whom is Parliament responsible?
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
interpellations
Government no longer allowed to be questioned by Parliament - deputies limited to written questions which would then be answered weeks later
Parliament article limitations on spending
40 art says Parliament can’t propose higher spending or alternatively lower taxes
Initiator or transformer of laws
more of a transformer of laws
Parliament had gained more institutional importance over the years, but in what sense?
it has benefited from shorter terms
It has been allowed more committees
Is parliament imbalanced?
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
Struggle of implementation in Parliament
Watered down driving offence system -rushed- parliament not given enough time to debate problem- the law not implemented till months after
How much control does Parliament have over the budget?
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
What is the procedure for responding to questions?
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
Who does the President of the NA favour?
The majority party which ultimately means some bills will simply be ruled over
How is the ability of the Parliament to obtain information independent of the Executive hindered?
A small budget prevents them whilst very few ministers redistributed for different committees eg with the rise in health and family affairs
Chirac in 1993 said what to the elected majority regarding their role?
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
Give a second factor for absenteeism?
Multiple office holding ie member of Parliament/ Mayor
Can the senate block constitutional change?
Bah OUI
Giscard reforms to the institutional importance of Parliament
Questions to the government and the importance of the CC in bills process- can be referred them
What was the name of the President of the NA that made major reforms to standing orders and Committee work?
He increased their frequency and parameters in which they could take place - Séguin
Extended competences in which area?
Social security budget negotiation and better able to manage and evaluate government direction in a very important area
Example of increase in obstructions and amendments made by Parliament
ability to slow down the procedure for passing bills and ensure further debater eg when the socialists fought against the sécurité and liberté law
the effect of the senate on legislation under De Gaulle and Mitterrand
DG- they were opposed to the constitution
Mitt- opposed to many of the schemes such as nationalisation which slowed the process down
Loi d’habilitation
Government can enforce this constitutional article en order to speed up legislation and avoid discussion on potentially dividing issues
Private Bills
Deputies can use Parliament as a way of passing individual bills, this has increased since 1995
Séguin used to limit political contribution of Business’
