^aDepartment of Political Science, University Paris I, 14 rue Cujas, Paris 75005, France

Correspondence: Jean-Claude Colliard, E-mail: crps@univ-paris1.fr

Abstract

This brief review analyses the impact of political parties on the institutions of the Fifth Republic. Parties affect the role of the presidency and parliament. They affect the functioning of the presidential election. Successful presidential candidates need the support of a large party, though they also need to build alliances as well. Following the election, parties tend to support the president. Indeed, the presidentialized system depends on the structural weakness of political parties. Recently, though, attempts have been made to revitalize the role of parliament and there are some signs that the majority party is now more willing to challenge the president.