‘Prime ministers are already ‘presidential', and are becoming more presidential': examples of United Kingdom, Italy and France
Résumé de l'exposé
In most European countries, Prime ministers are the major figure of the political game. They have a wide interface, with the media (both at a national and international level), and with their population, even if they are never called the "head of states". Many political scientists have asserted in recent years that the position has been turning into a 'presidential' type of power. The term presidentialization itself is defined very differently in political literature. It can be seen as a "personalised leadership style", or as the concentration of powers . Two main aspects have to be taken into account to define a presidential type of power: intra electoral components, such as the role of the Prime minister within his government and his relations toward the Parliament, or his international image; and electoral rules. To determine the causes of this phenomenon and its limits, I have chosen three countries: The United Kingdom, Italy and France.
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Sommaire de l'exposé
Introduction.
Presidentialization process.
Personalisation of politics.
Personalisation of Prime Ministers.
Role and power of Prime Ministers.
Contrast between 'Presidents' and 'Prime Ministers'.
The effectiveness of Prime Ministership in UK, France and Italy.
Conclusion.
Bibliography.
Extraits de l'exposé
[...] was him in 1994 who personalised the political product, [people] no longer would vote for a party but for a face, Berlusconi's face.?[8] Prime ministers are also the interface of the country for the international community, which make them even more present in the media, with the development of international summits. Tony Blair for instance has a great international role, since he is also the one who makes the decision of declaring war. Recently, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has enhanced his international presence, by making the tittles of well known magazines such as Newsweek, and also speaking at the UN tribune in September, replacing President Chirac. French Prime ministers are also for few years more and more present in EU meetings, with or instead of the President. [...]
[...] The combination of these two factors defines a presidential type of power. The British Prime Minister for example dominates the Parliament and the cabinet, since he has the right to ?select and dismiss members of cabinet will'?[12]; he is also the one who sets the agenda. Combined with the strong personality of Tony Blair, the British Cabinet is under the control of the Prime minister, and Peter Hennessy testifies that wants' is the most powerful phrase in Whitewall.?[13] To enhance his power, the British head of government enjoys the right to bring down the government and to call an election, as he is also the leader of the major party in Parliament. [...]
[...] sic. Ibid Venturino, Op. sic Hefferman, Op. sic Quoted in Cavatorta, Francesco and O'Malley, Eoin. ?Finding a party and losing some friends: overcoming the weakness of the prime ministerial figure in Italy.? In Contemporary politics, Volume 10, Number September-December 2004. Cavatorta and O'Malley, Op. sic Hefferman, Op. sic Ibid O'Malley, Op. sic Quoted in Hefferman, Op. Sic Helms, Ludger Presidents, Prime ministers and Chancellors: executive leadership in western democracies. New-York, Macmillan. [...]
[...] sic Ibid Cavatorta and O'Malley, Op. sic Hefferman, Op. [...]
[...] The Prime Minister was also more present on the European stage, and between 1997 and 2002, both Jacques Chirac and Lionel Jospin attended the EU summits. In Italy, the Constitution gives the Prime Minister not as many prerogatives as in other parliamentary democracies. Furthermore, Italy has a tradition of coalition governments, which tend to minimize the role of the head of government. He can not dismiss ministers, even if he advises the President for appointing them. He can't either dissolve the Parliament or call a confidence motion without the agreement of the cabinet[17]. [...]
Économie, administration & politique