Parliamentary Time

The 1958 Constitution placed Parliament under the supervision of the government, not just concerning jurisdiction and decision-making procedures, but also the management of its work schedule, including the length of sessions, the daily agenda, or the speaking arrangements. An equilibrium was not restored until the 2008 constitutional amendment, although its principle beneficiary was the parliamentary majority. The parliamentary majority now stands on an equal footing with the government – with the exception of financial affairs, which remain the prerogative of the latter – regarding the setting of its agenda or the sharing of speaking time.