France
The dual mandate is a common practice in the French Fifth Republic (1958–present) and holding up to five offices at once was at least theoretically possible until recently. Legislation was introduced in 2000 to limit the practice, known as cumul des mandats, but 85% of all members of parliament (both chambers included) still held another mandate (typically at the communal or departmental level) in 2008.
No other Western country comes close to France as regard the phenomenon of double or multiple mandates. Despite routine talk about prohibiting multiple mandates, the ubiquitous 'député-maire' (deputy and mayor) is still a familiar figure of the French political scene. Currently, in the aftermath of the June 2012 legislative elections, fully 75% of all National Assembly members (438 deputies out of 577) hold a double mandate (often as mayor of a mid- to large-size city) and 33 are cumulating 4 mandates. Currently, out of 348 senators, 152 are also mayors.
Read more about this topic: Dual Mandate
Famous quotes containing the word france:
“The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets or steal bread.”
—Anatole France (1844–1924)
“France has lost a battle. But France has not lost the war!”
—Charles De Gaulle (1890–1970)
“America was too big to have been discovered all at one time. It would have been better for the graces if it had been discovered in pieces of about the size of France or Germany at a time.”
—Samuel Butler (1835–1902)