Cohabitation in French Politics
A Historical Overview
In the history of the French Fifth Republic, there have been three periods of cohabitation, a term used to describe a situation where the President and Prime Minister come from different political parties. These periods have occurred when the President and the National Assembly are controlled by different parties, forcing the two sides to find ways to work together.
The First Cohabitation
The first period of cohabitation occurred from 1986 to 1988, when Socialist President François Mitterrand appointed conservative Jacques Chirac as Prime Minister after the right-wing coalition won a majority in the National Assembly. The two men were able to find common ground on some issues, but they also clashed over others, such as the government's economic policies.
The Second Cohabitation
The second period of cohabitation lasted from 1993 to 1995, when Socialist President François Mitterrand appointed conservative Édouard Balladur as Prime Minister after the right-wing coalition again won a majority in the National Assembly. This period was marked by a greater degree of cooperation between the President and the Prime Minister, as both men were committed to fiscal austerity.
The Third Cohabitation
The third period of cohabitation began in 1997 and lasted until 2002, when Socialist President Jacques Chirac appointed Socialist Prime Minister Lionel Jospin after the left-wing coalition won a majority in the National Assembly. This period was also marked by relatively smooth cooperation between the President and the Prime Minister, as both men were committed to social justice.
Conclusion
Cohabitation has proven to be a workable system of government in France, even though it is not specifically provided for in the constitution. The success of cohabitation depends on the willingness of the President and the Prime Minister to cooperate and find common ground. When this is not possible, it can lead to political gridlock and instability.
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