Sarkozy dismisses the French constitution | 23 comments (23 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Is Sarko heading to become Europe's GW Bush?

Have lately had some interesting talks with a French PhD student in political sciences. His take is pretty much that the Fifth Republic and its constitution can no longer operate in the 21st century - as it was specifically designed by De Gaulle to give the president far-reaching powers, specifically to solve the Algerian conflict. Sarkozy is evidently showing that a populist idiot can come by and exploit the presidency to maximum damage.

Unless parliament is dissolved and new elections are called for by Sarkozy -what will not happen soon I guess - nothing can obstruct the president for the next 4.5 years?

by Nomad (Bjinse) on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 at 10:44:32 AM EST

Re: Pretty much damning him (4.00 / 5)

it was specifically designed by De Gaulle to give the president far-reaching powers, specifically to solve the Algerian conflict

I'd say rather, specially designed to by de Gaulle to give himself far-reaching powers, exploiting expectations that he as President would solve the Algerian conflict.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 at 12:01:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes and no (4.00 / 9)

The episodes of "cohabitation" showed that Parliament had more power than generally thought (and that who won the parliamentary elections actually got to govern, even if the President still had a say on some things like foreign policy, military action or nominations of top level fonctionnaires.

With different timetables for presidential and parliamentary elections, you had the opportunity for votes that actually changed who was running the ocuntry.

The change of the presidential mandate form 7 to 5 years (by a referendum in which I voted "non", along with a small minority) has completely eliminated that dynamic, by handing over a compliant parliament to the president as elections for MPs come right after that for president and, so far, have always yielded a majority for the just-elected president.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 at 12:38:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yes and no (4.00 / 8)

Yes, that's my recurring theme: the American system has lots of faults, but if you're going to have a presidential system it is VITAL that parliementary elections follow a different timescale from presidential one.

What we have now in France is elective monarchy, however loud UMP screams when it is pointed out. We even get journalists explaining that is is absolutely compulsory to have parliement backing the president, that "we must never again go through cohabitation".

Well, it may be unpleasant for the people in charge, but I for one reckon that cohabitation periods are actually generally better for the country. And even if they weren't, well what is the point of parliementary elections if the only acceptable outcome was determined by the previous election?

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. Gandhi

by Cyrille (cyrillev domain yahoo.fr) on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 at 04:20:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yes and no (4.00 / 3)

Incidentally, are there any voices in France for a move towards a parliamentary-only system? Where the PM is the top dog and the Prez is ceremonial?

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 at 05:17:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yes and no (4.00 / 4)

Indeed:

La Convention pour la 6e République (C6R) est un groupe de réflexion politique français fondé en avril 2001 par le socialiste Arnaud Montebourg. L'association a été créée suite au succès de La machine à trahir, un réquisitoire publié en 2000 par Arnaud Montebourg, député de Saône-et-Loire. Bastien François, universitaire à la Sorbonne, a élaboré avec Arnaud Montebourg et de nombreux conventionnels (c'est ainsi que se sont nommés les membres de la C6R) les Trente Propositions qui synthétisent les idées de l'association.
La C6R milite pour un changement de République. Elle considère qu'une des causes de l'abstention et de la dépolitisation réside dans les dysfonctionnements de la Ve République. Les conventionnels pointent l'absence de contrôle et donc de responsabilité politique pour tout ce qui concerne le Président de la République.
La Convention pour la 6e République prône donc un régime primo-ministériel, où les pouvoirs de contrôle du Parlement seraient accrus. Le président de la 6e République aurait un rôle d'arbitre, garant du bon fonctionnement des nouvelles institutions et ne serait pas élu au suffrage universel direct.

My emphasis:

The Convention for the 6th Republic therefore advocates a regime centered around a Prime Minister. Le President of the 6th Republic would play the role of an arbiter, guarantor of the good functioninng of the new institutions, and would not be elected by universal direct suffrage.

(My translation)

We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 at 05:24:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yes and no (4.00 / 2)

Good, thanks!

Hm, I recall mention of the C6R from the election diaries, I probably didn't read their proposals in detail back then.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 at 05:32:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Crap (4.00 / 5)

Too late I've realized that with the alignment of presidential and parliamentary elections the demise of cohabitation is essentially fact, and with it, a vital check on an already powerful French presidency.

Perhaps you guys knew this all along, but it's nevertheless a worrying revelation, which, in my perspective, should become a cornerstone in the argumentation for change.

by Nomad (Bjinse) on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 at 05:09:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Crap (4.00 / 3)

It was mentioned several times in Presidential election diaries last year, but you're right this brings the issue to the fore.

We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 at 05:15:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Pretty much damning him (4.00 / 5)

Essentially, yes.

The only thing that could happen is if Sarkozy becomes much more unpopular, there might be a takeover of the UMP by a faction hostile to Sarkozy's - that of Villepin for example.

After all, during the current municipal electoral campaign, the right wing candidates are not mentioning their link to Sarkozy - if it becomes certain he'll lose them their MP positions, they may revolt.

Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères

by linca (antonin POINT lucas AROBASE gmail.com) on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 at 04:03:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Pretty much damning him (4.00 / 3)

Not GWB, neocon vanguard. GWB is the destroyer, pestilence, considering the pattern of regime adjustment to turn-key economic policy since RR-MT. Sadly, the republic would not let either Mitterand or Chirac die peacefully. If anything, Sarko's purpose is to clear the remaining brush of the welfare state for his successor. In this respect perhaps his methods are Clintonian -- see how he wavers in popular gusts of disapproval. He was pronounced the 68th best dressed person by Vanity Fair magazine just last year. But Sarko has fallen far, fast in best of breed esteem. This is the price he willingly pays. His end 4 years hence forshadows Obama's more than Brown's enfeebled administrations (for UK democracy is moribund. Remember: peenackers always broadcast, to normalize, and their objective is always free capital flow.

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Sun Feb 24th, 2008 at 06:01:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sarkozy dismisses the French constitution | 23 comments (23 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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