-
New French government announced but already faces threat of ousting
Several parties are expected to issue a vote of no confidence against new government
-
French PM resigns on Monday and renamed on Friday - what next?
Sébastien Lecornu promises ‘surprises’ in his new government. Socialists say the dissolution of parliament and fresh elections are now the most probable outcome
-
Bread, bacon and beans: British food habits on trial in France
Columnist Samantha David carefully navigates a discussion with a taxi driver on a delicate subject: the French breakfast
Who’s democratic anyway?
In response to your article questioning democracy today...
At least one state in the EU is not really democratic, but has an essentially “representative government”, as was usual in the Middle Ages!
The government of the United Kingdom has an unelected head of state; prime minister and ministers appointed by that head of state; an effectively appointed house of peers; an electoral register that is defective in that the royal family, the bishops and the other peers, and those outside the United Kingdom for more than 15 years are excluded.
Entry to the House of Commons also requires an oath of allegiance to the unelected head of state, which bars various elected members from entering the chamber of the Commons.
By contrast, the European Union has three presidents – all elected; a council of ministers appointed by “elected” governments, and a parliament all elected without any oath of allegiance.
All European citizens may be elected to these bodies. The commissioners, having been nominated by the member states’ “democratic” governments, are scrutinised by the council and the parliament, and the parliament may reject nominated persons, or dismiss the whole commission.
Peter M Hawkins, Morbihan
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France