Always the same, but constantly changing: a comparison of the position and the role of the president in France since 1958
2015
Abstract
The French president is, as we know, one of the strongest head of the state in the EU. Even if since the founding of the Fifth republic in 1958 (or maybe more correctly since 1962, after the change of the constitution and the adoption of direct election of the French president) there were in fact minimal constitutional changes1, the position and the role of the president is in reality quite highly changing, even if his powers (meaning here his powers formally recognised by the constitution) are the same, his political position and role are very different.
This article deals with this apparent paradox and evoke this plural reality. On this basis we try to enlarge the perspective on the position and role of presidents in general.