As the French prepare to return to the voting booth this Sunday, April 10 for the presidential election for which Emmanuel Macron is a candidate for his own re-election, our Italian neighbors remember that their political system has major differences compared to ours.
The French regime of the Ve republic is based on a semi-presidential system, in which the head of state is elected by universal suffrage by the citizens, unlike what is done in Italy “which has a parliamentary system, where the citizens elect the deputies. They are the ones who elect the president of the republic.” as the general information site reminds us Fanpage.it.
While Italian President Sergio Mattarella was re-elected after a weary fight last January, the subject of constitutional reform is on the table on the other side of the Alps. Since November 2021, it has been worn by the leader of the far-right Fratelli d’Italia party, Giorgia Meloni. Last March, it was rejected by the Constitutional Affairs Committee.
Here are the prerogatives attributed to the French and Italian presidents:
Unlike other European Presidents of the Republic, the French Head of State has political power. This means that he not only appoints the government, but also exerts a very strong influence on it, especially in matters of foreign policy. Furthermore, legislative and executive powers are shared with Parliament and the government. The President appoints the Prime Minister and on his proposal the various ministers. The National Assembly can vote no confidence in the government: in this case the executive must resign.
Moreover, recalls the information site Fanpage.it, the president must among other prerogatives “ensure respect for the Constitution, as well as guarantee the integrity of the national territory and respect for international treaties.” In addition, he promulgates laws, appoints members of the Constitutional Council and some senior officials, he is in charge of diplomacy and the armed forces and assumes full powers in the event of a national emergency. His term of office lasts five years.
The President of the Italian Republic has no real political power. Among its prerogatives are those of appointing the Prime Minister and, on his proposal, of appointing ministers. It acts as a constitutional arbiter between the different powers of the state, but must be politically “neutral”. It provides formal control over the constitutionality of laws and has “an influence soft on the activities of Parliament and the government”explains the news site.
“That doesn’t mean our president is a lesser figure, though. He can: dissolve the Chambers, promulgate or dismiss laws and issue governmental decrees [les ministres responsables du projet de loi doivent par contre contresigner le décret pour qu’il soit publié au journal officiel]to appoint five senators for life and three constitutional judges, approved by the Chambers (without however assuming special powers, which belong to the government)”remember Fanpage.it. The Italian President also holds command of the armed forces and chairs the Superior Council of Defense and the Superior Council of the Judiciary. His term of office lasts seven years.