The period of cohabitation which extends from 1997 with 2002 is the third of the V {{E}} République. It is held in a political context very different from the two first. It was not awaited, therefore not prepared by the main actors, contrary to the preceding ones. Consequence of a surprised dissolution of the National Assembly, it intervenes moreover at the beginning of presidential septennate and will last the time of the legislature.
Context
Jacques Chirac, President of the Republic, two years after its entry in the Elysium and whereas the parliamentary majority which supports the government Alain Juppe is crushing, but divided, estimates that the expiries to come, in particular European and the reforms in progress require “a majority ressourcée and having the time necessary with the action” and “that it takes, as of now, outward journey further on the way of the changes. It is necessary that the political action goes up in power during the five years which come. To succeed, France needs a new dash. This dash can be given only by adhesion, clearly expressed, of French people” (televised statement, April 21st, 1997).With the approach of the legislative ballot, the possibility of a new cohabitation is again posed. Jacques Chirac, on May 20th, 1997, referring to the international scene and more particularly to the framework of European construction, declares: “Never let us forget that France will be able to defend its interests only if it is able to speak with one voice, and of a strong voice”, indirect manner to warn the voters against a possible success of the parliamentary opposition.
Lionel Jospin reacts the following day by affirming that in the event of cohabitation, it is obvious that France will speak with one voice and it recalls, in a maintenance with the Figaro, that: “As regards cohabitation, the Constitution is clear on the capacities of each one. The cohabitation is not any more one mysterious situation, since there were of it already two. What counts is to respect the function of each one… ”.
Facts
The clear victory of the Plural left (PS, PCF, radical lefts, MDC, Verts), which obtains the absolute majority with the legislative ballot of the 25 and June 1st, 1997, thus opens a new period of cohabitation.The June 2nd 1997 Jacques Chirac appoints Lionel Jospin Prime Minister.
This third cohabitation, qualified on several occasions " constructive" by the President of the Republic begin nevertheless with a development of an institutional nature. Answering a question, during the traditional televised interview on July 14th, 1997, Jacques Chirac declares: “The Constitution envisages things and these things give, in particular, a preeminence, and I would say, give a little the last word to the President of the Republic”.
Two days after, in a declaration in the Council of Ministers Lionel Jospin corrects the presidential appreciation by these terms: “There is no field of the French policy where the President would have the last word”.
This third cohabitation is characterized by an unfavourable political context with the Head of the State, which is seen constrained with this situation because of dissolution that it caused, which moreover prohibits all new dissolution to him during one year.
Like François Mitterrand between 1986 and 1988, Jacques Chirac, being based on her role of guard of the permanent interests, will exert a magistrature tribunitienne by addressing gestures in direction of the opinion. He will make known his dissensions or will express warning statements in connection with the policy followed by the government, either in the Council of Ministers, or during displacements in province.
End of the cohabitation
With the approach of the presidential ballot of April 2002, to which it is represented, Jacques Chirac specifies her criticisms. If on July 14th, 1999, it had qualified the cohabitation of “constructive”, two years later, it denounces the “lack of will to act” of the government “as regards safety” and its “opposition to progress” concerning the reforms to be undertaken (July 14th, 2001).The April 21st 2002, Jacques Chirac arrives at the head of the first turn of the presidential election, with a relatively weak score for an Outgoing president (19,9% of the votes cast). The very particular context of the second turn, because of presence of Jean-Marie Le Pen, ensures a triumphal re-election to him (82,2%). One month later, with the legislative ballot the Union for the presidential majority (UMP) obtains the absolute majority of the seats to the National Assembly. It is the end of the third cohabitation.
Internal bonds
- Government Lionel Jospin
| Random links: | Pont du Grand Belt | Read Bissonnette | San Lorenzo del Vallo | Points and Switches of Épéna | Wire of freedom (television serial) |