Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Attitudes et vicissitudes du Sénat (1958-1980)

1981; Presses de Sciences Po; Volume: 31; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3406/rfsp.1981.393943

1950-6686

Jean Didier Grangè,

Political and Social Issues

Although under the Fifth Republic the Senate has changea very little since 1958, its fortunes have fluctuated considerably, usually because of changes in the political context. Designed to give support to the Executive whenever necessary, it soon became a bulwark of opposition to the Government. For seven years it was kept in the background, until the critical period in 1969 when what it considered inherent in its status as a parliamentary assembly was called in question. Once the storm had passed, however, it regained its position and resumed its normal activities. In 1974, the majority in the Senate coincided at last with the presidential majority, so that it is now again the buttress of the Executive and deserving of its attention. Although it had undergone no