Comparitive Politics

France

The Executive (the President)
• the visible head of state
• placed above the parties to represent the unity of the national community
• an arbiter who would rely on other powers: Parliament, Cabinet, and the people
• has the option to appeal to the people in two ways:
o he could submit certain important pieces of legislation to the electorate as a referendum
o after consulting with the prime minister and the parliamentary leaders, he could dissolve Parliament and call for new elections
• has the option of invoking emergency powers
• selects president by direct popular vote

Prime Minister
• appointed by the president
• responsible for the day to day running of the government
• the division of responsibility between the president and the PM varies not only with the personalities of those who hold each of the executive offices, but also with the conditions under which the PM serves

Legislature (compos...