From the nuclear bag to the declaration of war and peace.. Learn about the powers of the French President

Paris

- From the keys to the nuclear bag and its secret codes, to giving orders for war and peace in his capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the tasks and powers of the French president are multiplied, according to the constitution and current political norms.

In the French presidential system, the President of the Republic enjoys broad executive powers guaranteed to him by the Constitution of the Fifth Republic issued on October 4, 1958, during the rule of Charles de Gaulle.

After the constitutional amendment that took place on the sixth of November 1962, the process of electing the President of the Republic is carried out by direct universal suffrage, after his election was limited to Parliament.

Although this constitution provides for the division of executive power between the head of state and the head of government in several areas, it has been in practice since 1959 and by virtue of political practice on the ground;

The head of state monopolized defense and diplomacy.

The President of the French Republic was elected for a presidential term of 7 years, renewable only once.

President Jacques Chirac (1995-2007), at the end of his first term in 2000, amended the constitutional law, reducing the term of one presidential term from 7 to 5 years.

The French president exercises his duties from the Elysee Palace, while the head of government appointed by the president exercises his duties from the Matignon Palace.

The president is considered the first representative of the executive branch.

The following are the most important powers enjoyed by the President of the Republic:

• According to Article 5 of the French Constitution, the President of the Republic ensures that the Constitution is respected.

  It guarantees the functioning of the public authorities and the continuity of the state, as it is the protector of the national independence and territorial integrity of the country.

• He is the supreme commander of the French armies and armed forces, and he is practically authorized to declare war and peace, and in this context alone the president decides the timing of the use of nuclear weapons, and he is authorized to press the nuclear "button" and he is the one who owns the keys to the nuclear bag and its secret codes.

Although Article 35 of the Constitution states that “Parliament is authorized to authorize a declaration of war,” this provision has never been implemented in practice until today.

• The president also has the right to issue a decision on military intervention outside French territory, and the government has a period of 3 days to notify Parliament of the decision, which is up to him to consider the possibility of extending the intervention or not after 4 months from its start.

• The president chairs the various councils and supreme committees of national defense, which define deterrence strategy, foreign operations, and counter-terrorism.

• He appoints the Prime Minister and ends his duties by submitting the latter's resignation of the government.

  On the proposal of the Prime Minister, he appoints the other members of the Government and terminates their duties.

• He chairs the Council of Ministers and signs decrees and decisions.

  It appoints the key persons responsible for management.

  These appointments have been better regulated since the 2008 constitutional amendment.

• As the supreme representative of French diplomacy, the President interviews the leaders of other countries, negotiates and ratifies international treaties.

  In accordance with Article 13 of the Constitution, he also has the power to assign military and civil positions in the state, and to appoint ambassadors (Article 14).

• At the legislative level, the President of the Republic submits some bills to a referendum.

  He issues laws approved by Parliament.

Article 12 of the constitution authorizes the French president to dissolve the National Assembly, but after consulting the Prime Minister and the two Speakers of Parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate, but it is not binding on him.

• Article 30 of the Constitution gives the President of the Republic the power to call Parliament to hold an extraordinary session at the request of the government or the parliamentary majority.

  He can also dissolve the National Assembly.

• Article 16 of the constitution gives the president exceptional powers, and he can take a decision to exercise all powers alone in the event of a threat to independence or national institutions.

So far, Article 16 of the constitution has only been applied once during the reign of General de Gaulle and from April 23 to September 29, 1961, after the failed military coup attempt in Algeria.

• He is the guarantor of the independence of the judiciary and is assisted by the Supreme Judicial Council.

• Under Article 56, the French president has the power to appoint the president of the Constitutional Council and 3 of its members.

• Among the powers and powers inherited since the monarchy is the granting of pardon to persons who have been sentenced by a court.

• He can initiate a constitutional review on the proposal of the Prime Minister, a power he shares with Parliament.

• He has criminal and civil immunity during his term of office in accordance with Article 67 of the Constitution.

  But since the revision of the constitution in February 2007, the president may be impeached by parliament, which turns into a supreme court, in case of breach of his duties that clearly contradict the exercise of his mandate.

  This punishment is considered political, not criminal.