This thesis explores institutional features of the Fifth Republic in France
that affect women’s representation, both in terms of their access to elected office
and in terms of their ability to substantively represent women once elected. After
identifying factors that were particularly favourable to women in the 1997
Parliament, it assesses the institutional reforms enacted from 1997-2002, which
include not only the Constitutional Amendment and the Parity Law, but also
limitations on the cumul des mandats, reform of the Senate, the creation of a statut de
l’elu (defining elected officials’ benefits and rights) and of the new parliamentary
Women’s Delegations. It attempts a holistic appraisal of the institutional reforms,
and their effect on patterns of political recruitment.
The second part analyses practices and power within the Palais-Bourbon to
assess gender differences in access to parliamentary posts and tasks. It
investigates the National Assembly as a ‘gendered institution’ and asks whether
women are in a position to make a difference to the political process and
legislative outcomes. It finds perceptible differences in women’s and men’s access
to power, their committee work and use of parliamentary questions.
The thesis concludes with a study of the Women’s Delegation. After
investigating the rationale and circumstances of its creation, the institutional status
of the Delegation within the Assembly is analysed. Its contribution to legislation
and its modus operandi in the 1997 Parliament, as well as its integration into the
National Assembly are examined, in order to ascertain whether it has the potential
to enhance women’s substantive representation and to provide’ safe space’ for
women Deputies.