François Heisbourg’s book, “Les Leçons d’une guerre” (“Lessons from A War”, 2023), delves into the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He discusses the expanded responsibilities of the French president, reaching beyond foreign affairs and defense to include intelligence operations. He raises concerns about potential conflicts arising due to cohabitation, where the president and prime minister represent different political parties post the parliamentary elections.
What’s a cohabitation in French politics and what are the precedents?
Understanding the President’s Role in Foreign Policy and Defense
In the Fifth Republic, the French president holds the responsibility for defense formally and foreign affairs informally. However, cohabitation scenarios, where the president and prime minister belong to different parties, can complicate foreign relations. Past practices have involved both leaders representing France at international summits.
The article also explores the division of responsibilities between the president and prime minister regarding defense, highlighting potential conflicts due to overlapping roles during cohabitation periods.
Subscribers only Former French PM Lionel Jospin: ‘The president is giving the Rassemblement National the opportunity to run for power. This is not responsible’
Role of the President and Prime Minister in Defense
The French president leads the armed forces and nuclear defense, while the prime minister oversees defense organization. This division can lead to friction during cohabitation, especially concerning the coordination of national security and military operations.
You have 70.3% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.