Composition, Powers and

Functions of the French

Parliament
 Lecture Outline
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

 What is French Parliament?

 Composition
 Powers and Function of French
Parliament
 Legislative Functions
 Control over Executive
 Power to Authorize War and Approve
Treaties
 Constitutional Functions
 Electoral Functions
 Research Links
What is French Parliament?
 What is French Parliament?
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

 The contemporary period for French political

institutions began with the revolution of French Revolution of
1789. 1789

 By the Constitution of 1875, the 3rd Republic The French Revolution was a
of France established a bicameral Parliament period of radical political
consisting of two houses: the Senate and the and societal change in
France that began with the
National Assembly.
Estates General of 1789 and
ended with the formation of
 The Constitution of the 5th Republic is based the French Consulate in
on the principle of separation of powers and November 1799.
distinguishes clearly between the Executive
and the Legislative.
 What is French Parliament?
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

 The National Assembly is the main

legislative body of the French
Republic. It passes laws, monitors
government actions and evaluate
public policies.

 Each assembly conducts legislative

sessions at separate locations in
Paris:
 The Senate meets in the Palais du
Luxembourg
 The National Assembly meets at
Palais Bourbon
Composition
 Composition
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309
 The Bicameral French Parliament, where the
people of France's representatives meet to
conduct the people's role in governance.
Two-Ballot System

 The National Assembly is composed of 577 A voting method used to

deputies who are directly elected for a term of elect a single candidate,
five years on the basis of two-ballot system. where voters cast vote
for their preferred
candidate. The election
 Out of 577 deputies, 555 represent France usually proceeds to a
proper, the remaining 22 deputies represent second round only if in
overseas territories like New Caledonia and the first round no
French Polynesia. candidate has received a
simple majority (more
than 50%) of votes cast.
 The French Senate is composed of 348
senators indirectly elected for six years.
 Composition
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

 The prime minister and other government

ministers are appointed by the French
President.

 Prime minister and other ministers usually

do belong to the majority party. The
Cabinet of Ministers is led by the president
rather than the prime minister.

 Government usually consists of members

from the political party that dominates the
Assembly and must be supported by a
majority there to prevent a vote of no-
confidence.
 Composition
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

 The parliament meets for a single nine-

month session each year but under
special circumstances the French
President can call special session.

 National Assembly is more powerful than

the French Senate, and in the case of a
disagreement over a certain clause in a
law or the entire law itself
 National Assembly generally gets its way,
especially if that opinion is supported by
the President.
Powers and Function of
French Parliament
 Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309
Legislative Functions

 The subjects on which the Parliament can

Organic Laws
legislate have been enumerated in Article-34 of
the constitution. An organic law is a law,
or system of laws, that
 A separate way for passing organic law is laid form the foundation of
down. Organic Laws can be promulgated only a government, corporati
on or any other
after a declaration by the Constitutional
organization's body of
Council. rules.

 The French Parliament can pass two types of

laws. The laws which determine the rules and
the laws which determine the fundamental
principles.
Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

Law which Determine the Rules

Concern
– Civil rights and fundamental guarantees
of the public liberties of the citizens as
regards their persons and property for
purposes of national defense,
– The nationality, status and legal
capacity of persons, property, marriage
and inheritance.
– Laws related to collection of taxes and
the currency system
– Criminal laws, the creation of new
orders of jurisdiction about amnesty
and the stature of the Judiciary.
 Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309
Laws Determining the Rules Concerning
 The electorate system of Parliamentary and local
Assemblies
 The creation of categories of public corporations
Public Corporation
 The fundamental guarantees of civil servants and
members of the armed forces A corporation, owned
 Nationalization and the transfer of property from and operated by a
the public to private sectors government,
established for the
Law of Fundamental Principles administration of
 Law about National defense, education, labor, certain public
trade union and social security. programs.
 Law related local entities of their powers and of
their resources.
 Law of property and civil and commercial
contract.
Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309
Financial Powers
 The French Parliament has control over the
national finances. Financial bills are prepared
by the Government and are passed by the
Parliament.

 Every year, the Government prepares a

budget for the next financial year and
presents, bring it under debate it in the
Parliament finally passed by the Parliament.

 Money bills can be introduced only in the

lower house i.e., the National Assembly.
After passing the bill, the National Assembly
sends it to the Senate.
 Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

 If the National Assembly doesn't complete

the first reading of` the bill within a time limit
of 40 days, the government refers the bill to
the Senate, which must rule within a time
limit of 50 days.

 If Parliament fail to reach a decision within a

time limit of 70 day, the provisions of the bill
may be enforced by presidential ordinance.

 Thus, the French Parliament enjoys the power

to control finances but doesn't enjoy that vital
a place as is usually enjoyed by the
Parliament of a democratic state.
Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309
Control over Executive
 The French Parliament also has the power
to control the executive. The executive of
France is responsible before the Lower
House of the French Parliament.

 Article 49 declares:
 The Prime Minister, after discussions in the
Council of Ministers, initiates the
responsibility of the Government before
the National Assembly, on its programme
or, if it be so decided, on a general
declaration of policy.”
 Thus the National Assembly could defeat
the government earlier on its programme
or general policy.
 Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309
 The National Assembly can challenge the
responsibility of the Government by proposing a
vote of censure.
 A censure motion against the Government can be
Vote of Censure
initiated in the National Assembly by 1/10th of its
members.
 The motion can be put to vote only after 48 hours A process in which
of its introduction. members of
parliament vote in
order to officially
 Thus, the National Assembly maintains a close
criticize the
supervision upon the Government.
government for
 However, the Constitution also imposes a
something
limitation on this power of the National
Assembly.
 Only one censure motion can be introduced in
one session.
Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309
Power to Authorize War and Approve
Treaties
 The executive powers of the Parliament
also include the power to authorize the
declaration of war under the Article 35 of
French Constitution.

 The Government shall inform Parliament

of to have the armed forces intervene
abroad or engage at home.
 This information may give rise to a debate,
which shall not be followed by a vote.
 If intervention shall exceed 4 months, the
Government shall submit the extension to
Parliament for authorization.
 Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

 Under the Article 53 of French

Constitution, Peace Treaties, Trade
agreements, agreements relating to
international organization may be
ratified or approved only by an Act of
Parliament
Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

Constitutional Powers

 The members of the Parliament and the

Government have the right to amend the
constitution under Article 44.

 A bill for amending the constitution can

be introduced in either House of the
Parliament.

 Article-89, elaborates the process of

amendment. President, PM or any
deputy can initiate amendment bill.
 Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

 3/5 (60%) votes are required fro both

houses for amendment. If amendment bill
doesn't pass by the 3/5 majority of both
houses then the President can submit the
bill to a referendum.

 Constitutional Council has the power of

judicial review of the proposed
amendment.

 No amendment procedure shall be

commenced where the integrity of national
territory is placed in jeopardy.
 Powers and Function of French Parliament
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

Electoral Functions

 The Parliament of the Republic has the

right to appoint half of the deputies of the
Senate.

 The two Houses of the Parliament

together elect the members of the High
Court of Justice.

 Six members of the Constitutional Council

are nominated by the National Assembly
and the Senate.
 Research Links
Mr. Imran Zahoor Ph. D in IR 0321-400309

• http
://studylecturenotes.com/powers-functions-of-french-parliam
ent
/

• https://
www.constituteproject.org/constitution/France_2008.pdf?lan
g=en

• https://
www.yourarticlelibrary.com/essay/essential-powers-of-the-fre
nch-parliament/44271