The political structure of France has its own characteristics that distinguish this country from other states. There is a strong parliament with broad powers. Presidential authority is also of great importance. For this reason, France is often referred to as mixed republics, which are characterized by the strengthening of the parliamentary principle, while increasing the role of the head of state.
Instruction manual
1
The supreme legislative body of France is a bicameral parliament. National Assembly - Lower House. Its members are elected on the basis of direct voting for a term of five years. The upper house is called the Senate and represents the interests of individual territories of the country. Senators are elected for a nine-year term through indirect elections through collegium departments. Once every three years, the French Senate is renewed by one third of its composition.
2
Both houses of parliament have similar competencies. The differences in their work relate to the scope of parliamentary control and the specifics of drafting laws. In certain cases, the head of state has the right to dissolve the lower house, but these powers of the president do not extend to the senate. The chairman of the senate has a special status and takes third place in the hierarchy of the state after the president and head of government. When the vacancy of the head of state is vacated, it is the chairman of the Senate who temporarily takes this place.
3
Units of the French parliament have their own internal regulations, which are based on legislative norms and constitutional provisions. There are fractions in both houses. The main work in parliament is carried out by special commissions created on a permanent or temporary basis. Each commission usually represents all parliamentary factions.
4
Along with the government, members of parliament have the right to legislative initiative. Each of the adopted laws passes through the respective commissions of the chambers and through three readings in parliament. A law is considered adopted if both houses have approved it. When disagreements arise between the parts of the parliament during the discussion of the draft law, the law undergoes a lengthy revision until the text is fully agreed.
5
After the adoption of laws in parliament, they are considered by the head of state. He may express his disagreement with the draft and send it to the legislators for reconsideration. If the bill in its previous wording is approved for the second time by both houses, the president has no right to reject it. Such a procedure demonstrates the strength of the legislative branch of government, which can argue with the opinion of the president of the country.
6
Political scientists, referring France to mixed ("semi-presidential") republics, draw attention to the fact that in this country there are both elements of presidential and parliamentary rule. As a result, power becomes almost equally divided between the head of state and the representative body. The activities of the government of the country equally depend on the decisions of the president and parliament.
