Before 1958: the Fourth Republic
After World War II, France wrote a new constitution in 1946 and started the Fourth Republic. In it, the Parliament (the National Assembly) was the strongest body. The President had few powers.
This caused a problem: no group had a clear majority, so a government could fall after a vote. In 12 years there were more than 20 governments. This is called instability.
Still, France did important things. It joined the work to build Europe: the Schuman plan (1950) joined coal and steel of six countries, and in 1957 the Treaty of Rome began the common market. Pierre Mendès France was Prime Minister in 1954–55. He ended the war in Indochina and is remembered for his plain, honest style.
1958: the Algerian crisis and a new regime
From 1954 France was fighting a war in Algeria, then part of France. The war split the country and the governments could not solve it. In May 1958 a crisis began and many feared a break-up of the state.
Parliament called back General Charles de Gaulle, the leader of Free France in World War II, who had left politics in 1946. In June 1958 he became head of government and asked for the power to write a new constitution.
Peace came later: the Evian agreements (March 1962) ended the war and Algeria became independent. People in France and Algeria still remember this war in different ways, so it is taught with care and respect for all victims.
The 1958 constitution and a stronger President
In September 1958 the French people approved the new constitution in a referendum (a vote on one question). The Fifth Republic was born.
The President became the center of power. He chooses the Prime Minister, can dissolve (end) the National Assembly and call new elections, can ask the people to vote in a referendum, and has special powers in a grave emergency.
The Prime Minister and the government run daily politics and must keep the support of the Assembly. So the system has two heads: this is a semi-presidential system.
De Gaulle and Mendès France disagreed: De Gaulle wanted a strong state above the parties; Mendès France feared that too much power could hurt democracy. Their debate still lives in French politics.
1962: the President elected by all citizens
At first, the President was chosen by a small group of elected officials. In 1962 de Gaulle asked the people, through a referendum, to elect the President by direct universal vote. They said yes. The first such election was in 1965.
Now the President was strong in two ways: by the constitution and by the voters. The vote has two rounds: if nobody wins more than half in round 1, the top two meet in round 2.
Deputies are also chosen with a two-round majority vote, one winner per area. This favours big groups and helps give a clear majority in the Assembly. In 2000 the President's term was cut from 7 to 5 years.
Alternation and cohabitation
Alternation means power passes from one camp to the other after elections. It happened for the first time in 1981, when the left leader François Mitterrand won the Presidency.
Cohabitation means the President and the Prime Minister belong to opposing camps. It happened in 1986–88, 1993–95 and 1997–2002. In these times the Prime Minister leads government policy, and the President keeps a role in foreign affairs and defence.
Since the 5-year term and the order of elections were changed in 2000–2002, the Assembly election follows the Presidential one, and cohabitation has become rare.
Try it: build your own timeline
Take a strip of paper. Mark 1946, 1958, 1962, 1981, 1986. Write one line under each: who is strong? Then slide the Era slider in the 3D and check your answers. Ask a friend: if the President could never be removed by the Assembly, what danger would there be?
Key formulas and definitions
- 1946–1958: Fourth Republic (strong Parliament, unstable governments)
- 1958: new constitution by referendum = Fifth Republic
- 1962: direct vote for the President (two rounds)
- 1981: first alternation; 1986: first cohabitation
- Semi-presidential = elected President + Prime Minister backed by the Assembly
Worked examples
1. Why did the Fourth Republic have so many governments?
The Parliament was strong and no group had a majority. A vote could end a government quickly, so it changed more than 20 times in 12 years.
2. Name two powers the 1958 constitution gave the President.
He chooses the Prime Minister and can dissolve the National Assembly. He can also call a referendum and use emergency powers.
3. What changed in 1962?
The President began to be elected by all citizens in two rounds. This gave him strong popular support.
4. What is cohabitation? Give a date.
The President and the Prime Minister are from opposing camps, for example 1986–88 (Mitterrand and Chirac).
Common mistakes
- Thinking France has one "Republic" only. France has had five, each with its own constitution.
- Saying the President runs everything. The Prime Minister and the Assembly still decide laws and daily government.
- Mixing up alternation (power passes to the other camp) and cohabitation (opposing camps in power together).
- Forgetting the Algerian crisis. It is the cause of de Gaulle's return in 1958.