How does the French Parliament work?

Two chambers, two ways of being elected, two lengths of term: that is where most exam mistakes are concentrated. Once the distinction is in place, questions about Parliament become the easiest in the syllabus.

Two chambers, two logics

The National Assembly has 577 deputies, elected for five years by direct universal suffrage: every citizen votes for the deputy of their constituency. The Senate has 348 senators, elected for six years by indirect suffrage, through a college of electors made up mainly of local elected officials. This difference is not decorative: it explains why the National Assembly, coming directly from the citizens' vote, holds powers the Senate does not, notably that of bringing down the Government.

How a law is passed

A text may come from the Government — it is then a projet de loi — or from parliamentarians themselves, in which case it is a proposition de loi. It is then examined and amended in turn by both chambers: that is the parliamentary shuttle. If disagreement persists, the Government may give the final say to the National Assembly. Once adopted, the text is promulgated by the President of the Republic within fifteen days, after a possible review by the Conseil constitutionnel.

Holding the Government to account

Voting the law is only part of parliamentary work. Both chambers also scrutinise the Government's action: questions to ministers, committees of inquiry, examination of the budget. The National Assembly has, in addition, a weapon the Senate lacks: the motion of censure, which can force the Government to resign. That is what is meant by saying the Government is accountable to it, a formula that comes up regularly in exam questions.

Where the chambers sit and when they work

The National Assembly sits at the Palais Bourbon, in Paris, and the Senate at the Palais du Luxembourg, in the same district. Both places appear frequently in recognition questions. Parliament meets as of right in ordinary session from October to June; extraordinary sessions may be convened outside that period. Every autumn, the examination of the State budget is the high point of the parliamentary year: it is through that vote that the chambers authorise public revenue and spending, and so scrutinise the Government's action very concretely. A parliamentarian also splits their time between the chamber, the committees and their constituency, where they meet local people.

Worth remembering

• National Assembly: 577 deputies, five years, direct suffrage.
• Senate: 348 senators, six years, indirect suffrage.
• If disagreement persists, the National Assembly can have the final say.

Back to the guides