Semi-presidential system

What is the characteristic feature of a semi-presidential system?

A semi-presidential system combines elements of both presidential and parliamentary regimes, with a president who holds significant power while a prime minister manages the government.

How does the French semi-presidential system differ from parliamentary republics?

In France, the president is directly elected by the people and has broader powers than the presidents in parliamentary republics like Italy, Germany, or Israel.

What powers does the French president hold?

The French president negotiates treaties, can organize referendums, holds exceptional powers in crises, and supervises government action by presiding over the Council of Ministers.

What is the role of the French prime minister in a semi-presidential system?

The French prime minister is responsible for leading government policy and is accountable to the National Assembly, which can remove the government through a vote of censure.

Can the French president dissolve the National Assembly?

Yes, the French president can dissolve the National Assembly.

What are the three key components of the French semi-presidential system?

The three key components are the President (handling foreign policy and national defense), the Prime Minister (leading domestic policy), and the Parliament (making laws).

What is the issue with the French semi-presidential system in practice?

In practice, the president, with the mandate of direct election, often takes control of most matters, reducing the role of the prime minister to a collaborator and turning Parliament into a mere rubber-stamp for presidential reforms.

What is the term used to describe the growing dominance of the president in the French system?

This trend is called the "presidentialization of the regime."