What is cohabitation, a system that could well occur after this new legislative election? The Conseil constitutionnel website defines cohabitation as "a political situation in which the President of the Republic and the majority of deputies are of opposing political persuasions. As the Government is accountable to theNational Assembly (art. 20, para. 3, 49 and 50 of the Constitution of October 4, 1958), the President of the Republic is called upon to appoint a person to head the Government who can command the support of the majority in the National Assembly."
On June 30, 2024, the French return to the polls to elect their members of parliament. One of the political parties contesting the election will certainly have a majority in the National Assembly, and it's quite possible that this party will not be that of the elected President of the Republic. The Head of State must then appoint a Prime Minister who will act as majority leader in the Assembly, i.e. a Prime Minister from a party other than his own.
In the history of the Fifth Republic, the French have witnessed three cohabitations: between 1986 and 1988, with a Socialist President (François Mitterrand) and an RPR Prime Minister (Jacques Chirac). Between 1993 and 1995, with a Socialist President (François Mitterrand) and an RPR Prime Minister (Édouard Balladur). Then, between 1997 and 2002 with an RPR President (Jacques Chirac), and a Socialist Prime Minister (Lionel Jospin).
The head of state and the head of government must "coexist" at the top of the state, to run France. During these cohabitations, the President of the Republic has far fewer powers: the Prime Minister and his majority in the Assembly have more influence in passing laws and managing the country's internal affairs.
The President of the Republic retains control of international affairs. He also retains part of his power of appointment (he appoints three members of the Constitutional Council, as well as civil and military posts). The President is head of the armed forces, but it is the government that "has the force of the army at its disposal". The President is the holder of France's nuclear force. He promulgates laws and can request a second deliberation on them. He heads the Council of Ministers and can dissolve the National Assembly once a year.
In the event of another dissolution, it would be necessary to wait a year for a new vote, and the parliamentary majority could change, allowing the President of the Republic to choose a new Prime Minister.
