Ve République - government and politics of France

Question 1

Why was DG obsessed with the idea of being Independent as a State?

Answer 1

Because they had previously had to rely on American and British forces for Liberation and In Algeria

Question 2

Which Prime Ministers fitted the idea that they were there fir short term social and economic progress rather than the longterm destiny of France?

Answer 2

PMs such as Chirac, Cresson under Mitterand and Juppé

Question 3

Which Prime Ministers played influential roles outside of what was typically expected of the role?

Answer 3

Debré and chaban-Delmas who gave his societal reforms the name of a New Society- this was under Pompidou and it split their relationship

Question 4

Mauroy did what in his Premiership?

Answer 4

He actively helped to unify the communist and social parties

Question 5

What were Rocards success’ under Mitt?

Answer 5

He settled problems in new Caledonia made very successful widespread social reforms

Question 6

Who gives a vote of confidence in the government when asked by the PM?

Answer 6

The NA

Question 7

Who is the only person with power to initiate legislation?

Answer 7

The PM

Question 8

Who else apart from DG dissolved NA?

Answer 8

Mitterand

Question 9

How many members of the CC can the President nominate?

Answer 9

3

Question 10

What is the President’s relationship with Parliament?

Answer 10

He doesn’t step inside Parliament but can question the laws and ask for them to be reconsidered

Question 11

The role of the President in terms of Foreign Policy

Answer 11

head of the Army
chief negotiator of Treaties
Article 5 states he is Responsible for Frances Territorial integrity

Question 12

Which part of the Matignon machine is responsible for the main bulk of coordination within government?

Answer 12

The réunion interministérielles- ad hoc meetings

Question 13

Who supports the President at the Élysée?

Answer 13

the secretary-General

Question 14

Who assists the PM at Matignon?

Answer 14

A series of Junior Ministers

Question 15

Two examples of how publicity can influence the image of the President

Answer 15

DG failure in May 68

Chirac success in world cup win welcoming 98

Question 16

What political weight does the role of Presidency in terms of legitimacy?

Answer 16

he is elected by the whole country whilst in times of cohabitation the PM also fills this role

Question 17

How did PMs and the Presidents ensure their power locks?

Answer 17

They would bring political networks to power with them for example De Gaulle brought with him those who had supported him during the resistance
They could also use patronage to ensure a good following

Question 18

How did Mitterand control the influence of the PCF?

Answer 18

He brought in politicians of the PCF but limited their positions to central ministers early on, rather than initiate a full scale coalition

Question 19

Who determines the size and shape of the government? and give examples of how they do so

Answer 19

the President

eg Giscard appointed junior ministers to tackle issues such as penal reform and women’s rights

Question 20

Who determines political balance?

Answer 20

the President, Giscard only included 4 Gaullists in his 1974 government

Question 21

Who are ministers responsible to?

Answer 21

The President

Question 22

Role of the President in Policy making

Answer 22

PM controls the implementation of the documents whilst the President signs many of the major decrees
The President in this respect is the government spokesperson

Question 23

Give an example of how the President is often the final court of appeal for policies

Answer 23

Rocard was asked to recalculate the Budget

Question 24

Notable foreign policy in Middle east under De Gaulle

Answer 24

he refuse to sell arms to the Israeli government

Question 25

Chirac’s more notable foreign policy in the far east

Answer 25

he moved closer to building trade deals with rising powers China and Japan

Question 26

How did Mitterand move away from the Gaullist Defence policies of his predecessors?

Answer 26

He signed the nuclear test Treaty in 1992

Question 27

What were Chiracs defence policy moves that also signalled a move away from Guallist stances?

Answer 27

He ended conscription and professionalized the armed forces

Question 28

Major reforms under Chirac

Answer 28

reformed the Justice system so that the judicial court wasn’t as close to the justice ministry

Question 29

Circumstantial changes under Giscard

Answer 29

he decided to pass an education act that promoted social equality

Question 30

What roles do the President and PM share?

Answer 30

the right to refer a bill to the constitutional council

Question 31

Who can initiate an extraordinary session of Parliament?

Answer 31

the Prime Minister- does in this sense separate himself from the rest of government

Question 32

Ambiguity in the appointments of defence?

Answer 32

they share the role of appointments for defence

Question 33

Who has the right to start any constitutional amendment?

Answer 33

the President initiates this process

Question 34

Deciding of ambassadors belongs to who and why?

Answer 34

the President because it ties in with their Foreign policy and Image