In a recent television appearance, Prime Minister Michel Barnier emphasized the concept of “shared domains” with the French President, emphasizing the need for cooperation and compromise for the country’s benefit. This idea echoes historical debates surrounding the notion of a “reserved domain” for the president, which has been contested since the early days of the Fifth Republic.
The debate dates back to the 1959 Union pour la nouvelle République party conference, where former prime minister Jacques Chaban-Delmas introduced the idea of a “reserved or presidential sector.” However, this notion was challenged by figures like Alain Peyrefitte and Dominique Rousseau, who argued that the Constitution does not explicitly outline such a domain.
General de Gaulle’s eventual consolidation of power through a direct universal suffrage system further solidified the president’s authority. This historical context sheds light on current discussions around the distribution of power in French politics.
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