Boris Vallaud: The Fifth Republic is a 'corpse on its back,' proportional representation could save it

Boris Vallaud, who leads the Socialist Party's deputies in the French National Assembly, has declared the Fifth Republic a "great corpse on its back" and is reigniting debate over proportional representation. Vallaud argues that a shift in the electoral system is necessary to move towards a "genuinely prime ministerial regime."

In a detailed note published by the Jean Jaurès Foundation, Vallaud reflects on pivotal moments within and outside the National Assembly. He warns of the increasing likelihood of governing with relative majorities, a situation that has already emerged in 2022 and 2024. Vallaud suggests that France may no longer see a clear parliamentary majority and that future legislative elections should be prepared with this scenario in mind.

"We must formulate the reasonable hypothesis that we may never again have a majority Assembly," Vallaud stated, noting that the current parliament is populated by members lacking a "parliamentary culture." He proposes inverting the electoral calendar and establishing a "contract for a plural left" to pave the way for a common candidacy, though acknowledging the significant divisions within the left.

To address these challenges, Vallaud advocates for proportional representation as a catalyst. "Consacrating a government emerging from a negotiated parliamentary majority, it legitimizes and carries within it the necessity of compromise and even makes it a form of democratic ethics," he explained. He believes this system would foster compromise and serve as a democratic ethic, particularly as he warns that the "far-right threatens to win legitimately and turn democracy into its opposite."

Vallaud's proposal also includes transferring the power of dissolving the Assembly from the President of the Republic to the prime minister, further strengthening the prime ministerial role. This call for reform comes as he is rumored to have presidential ambitions, though he has not confirmed them.