The French government recently collapsed after the French Prime Minister was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Contrasting Features of Indian and France Polity
Features
India
France
Federalism
India is federal in structure with unitary features.
France is a unitary State organised on a decentralized basis.
Form of Government
Parliamentary System:Thepresident is ceremonial head of state & Prime minister is head of government.
Semi-Presidential System: The President (directly elected) holds substantial power and a Prime minister manages day-to-day affairs.
President
The President is elected indirectly for a 5 year term without any cap on number of terms.
The President is elected by universal direct suffrage & five-year term is renewable only once.
Secularism
Indian secularism is characterized by positive secularism, which emphasizes equal respect for all religions. It allows for principled state intervention in all religions.
Enforces a strict separation between church & state, reflecting a more rigid approach to secularism that prohibits any state involvement in religious matters.
Referendum
Indian Constitution does not explicitly provide for referendums.
French Constitution explicitly provides for referendums.
Similarities between Indian & French polity includes written constitution, Bicameral Parliament, independent judiciary etc.
