The Prime Minister Slides

The prime minister the selection process He/she is appointed by the president Usually, he/she is usually the leader of the majority party in the national assembly.

Tasks of prime minister 1. Direct and determine the policy of the nation. 2. Responsible for national defense. 3. Assures the execution of laws. 4. Nominates the members of the gouvernement (French cabinet)-note that the president appoints-.

5. Responsible for coordinating and supervising the work of the cabinet which involves arbitrating conflicts among cabinet members.

Note that: - Although the constitution provides the president with ample powers, it does not allow him to make many policy decisions. - The constitution designates the government, not the president, as the preeminent policy making institution. - Hence, the prime minister accepts the president’s leadership due to political dynamics rather than constitutional directive.

The relation between the president and the prime minister First we must specify in terms the relation between the executives and the legislatures: 1. When they are both of the same party (united control). 2. When they are not of the same party (cohabitation). It is important to say that in the former condition the powers of the president exceeds that of any president in any

During times of united control, the president formulates the state’s overall policy direction, while the prime minister is responsible for translating those general policies into specific programs and supervising their implementation. Also the prime minister provides the president with important assistance: Leadership in shepherding government proposals through the parliament, obtaining sympathetic media treatment and supervising bureaucracy.

In times of cohabitation, presidents retain predominant responsibility for overall defense and foreign policy but the prime minister gains the power to shape the government’s policy orientation.

It is quite important to note that the prime minister’s position is considered a step towards presidency so the prime minister is tempted to act independently and not become the president’s lap dog.

A political scientist describes the relation between them as follows “ when things go well, the president often receives the credit. When things go badly, the prime minister usually takes the blame. When things go very badly and the president is criticized, then the prime minister gets replaced. If things go very well and the prime minister starts to be praised, then the prime minister is also replaced!”.

Briefly, the relationship between the two leaders is balanced constitutionally however, it is determined mainly politically.

Le gouvernement (the French cabinet) definition: The gouvernement is the council of ministers(cabinet).

Gouvernement: duties and responsibilities It has at its disposal the civil service, the government agencies, and the armed forces.

The gouvernement is responsible to Parliament,so the National Assembly may pass a motion of censure. This, in practice, forces the gouvernement to be from the same political stripe as the majority in the Assembly.  Ministers have to answer questions from members of Parliament, both written and oral; this is known as the questions au gouvernement (questions to the government). 

In

addition, ministers attend meetings of the houses of Parliament when laws pertaining to their areas of responsibility are being discussed. It may propose laws to Parliament, as well as amendments during parliamentary meetings.(since parliament and cabinet are from the same party, the cabinet proposals are very likely to pass).  It may make use of some procedures to speed up parliamentary deliberations.

The

cabinet has weekly meetings (usually on Wednesday mornings), chaired by the President, at the Élysée Palace.

Limitations on gouvernement tasks: 

Government ministers cannot pass legislation without parliamentary approval, though the Prime Minister may issue autonomous regulations or subordinated regulations (décrets d'application) provided they do not infringe on the Parliament domain, as detailed in the constitution.

Structure and categorization: Traditionally,

the gouvernement comprises members of three ranks.  Ministers are the most senior members of the government.

The

number of ministries and the splitting of responsibilities and administrations between them varies from government to government. While the name and exact areas of responsibility of each ministry may change, one generally finds at least: Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industry (taxes, budget).

Ministry

of the Interior (law enforcement, relationships with local governments). Ministry of Justice and Keeper of the Seals. (prisons, running the court system, supervision of the prosecution service). Ministry of National Education. Ministry of Defence. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ministry of Transportation. •