Role
According to article 21 of the Constitution, the Prime Minister "shall direct the actions of the Government"; in addition, article 20 stipulates that the Government "shall determine and conduct the policy of the Nation". Other members of Government are appointed by the President "on the recommendation of the Prime Minister". In practice the Prime Minister acts on the impulse of the President to whom he is a subordinate, except when there is a cohabitation in which case his responsibilities are akin to those of a prime minister in a parliamentary system.
The Prime Minister can engage the responsibility of its Government before the National Assembly. In addition to ensuring that the Government still has support in the House, some bills that might prove controversial are able to be passed this way: either the Assembly overthrows the Government, or the bill is passed automatically (article 49). The Prime Minister may also submit a bill that has not been yet signed into law to the Constitutional Council (article 61).
Before he is allowed to dissolve the Assembly, the President has to consult the Prime Minister and the presidents of both Houses of Parliament (article 12).
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