Voices from France: A Constitutional Scholar's Perspective

Professor Marie-Claire Pontier of Sciences Po Paris reflects on the Fifth Republic's legacy:

"What strikes me most about the Fifth Republic is its pragmatism. De Gaulle and Debré created institutions that worked in practice, even if they challenged democratic theory. The system has its critics—the president can seem too powerful, Parliament too weak. But it has given France something precious: stable, effective government that maintains democratic legitimacy. After centuries of constitutional instability, that's no small achievement."