Parliamentary rights and practices

Presentation

The goal of this course is for students to gain a deeper understanding of the institutions of the Fifth Republic by exploring parliamentary life. Thus, we will focus on the real powers of the deliberative Assemblies, on the weight of the Government in the legislative process, the differences between the texts (Constitution and regulations of the Parliamentary Chambers) and the practices such as they have been instituted for the last sixty years. We will see that, contrary to popular beliefs, the texts and practices have profoundly changed. It will obviously be necessary to examine, even briefly, the current constitutional reform projects.

Recommended Prerequisite(s)

Students must have a good knowledge of the constitution of the Fifth Republic, of the constitutional history of France, a good understanding of French political life of the last sixty years.

Bibliography

• Hamon F., Troper M., Droit Constitutionnel, LGDJ, 37^e édition, 2016-2017.
• Avril P., Gicquel J., Gicquel J.E., Droit parlementaire, LGDJ, 5^e édition, 2014.
• Formery S.L., La constitution commentée, Hachette Supérieur, Les fondamentaux, 21^e édition, 2018.
• Carcassonne G., La Constitution, Paris, Seuil, 10^e édition, 2012.
• Mélin-Souscramanien F., Pactet P., Droit Constitutionnel, Sirey, 36^e édition, 2018.

Educational formula

Students must stay informed on national and international political affairs so as to be able to comment them at the beginning of each session.