Tribunat
The Tribunat was one of the four assemblies set up in France by the
Elections
As with elections to the Corps législatif, members of the Tribunat were not elected by direct universal suffrage. They were chosen via a complex process by the Senate from the "national lists of notables" ("listes nationales de notabilités") set up following a series of votes "en cascade" - the citizens would first elect "communal notables" from one tenth of their number, who would choose "departmental notables" from one tenth of their number, who would in turn choose "national notables" from another one tenth of their number.
Functions
The Tribunat's function was to send three orators to discuss proposed laws with government orators in the presence of the
History
Shortly after the
It is notable that the Corps législatif tended to reinforce the powers of the executive. The introduction of the plebiscite, reducing the chambers' legitimacy and thus their power, had the same aim. The Tribunat was an organ intended to improve separation of powers, but the way that the separation of powers was structured did not let the Tribunat run effectively.
Organisation and constitution
The
Article 27. The Tribunat is to be made up of 100 members aged at least 25; they are to be renewed every fifth year, and may be re-elected indefinitely if they are still on the national list.[2]
The Constitution of 16 thermidor year X (4 August 1802) foresaw:
Starting in year XIII, the Tribunat will be reduced to 50 members. - Half of the 50 will leave every third year. Until this reduction, the departing members will not be replaced. - The Tribunat will be divided into sections.
The Constitution of the Year XII stated that:
The functions of the members of the Tribunate continue ten years.
The Tribunate is renewed by half every five years. The first renewal shall take place for the session of the Year XVII, in conformity with the organic senatus-consultum of 16 Thermidor, Year X.
The president of the Tribunate is appointed by the Emperor out of a presentation of three candidates made by the Tribunate by secret ballot and a majority.
The functions of the president of the Tribunate continue two years.
The Tribunate has two questors. They are appointed by the Emperor out of a triple list of candidates chosen by the Tribunate by secret ballot and a majority. Their functions are the same as those assigned to the questors of the Legislative Body by articles 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 of the organic senatus-consultum of 24 Frimaire, Year XII. One of the questors is renewed each year.
The Tribunate is divided into three sections, to wit:
Section of legislation.
Section of the interior.
Section of the finances.
Each section forms a list of three of its members from whom the president of the Tribunate designates the president of the section.
The functions of the president of a section continue one year.[3]
Sessions
- 1st session: from 1 January 1800 (11 nivôse year VIII) to 7 November 1800 (16 brumaire year IX).
- 2nd session: from 22 November 1800 (1 frimaire year IX) to 7 November 1801 (16 brumaire year X).
- 3rd session: from 22 November 1801 (1 frimaire year X) to 14 August 1802 (26 thermidor year X).
- 4th session: from 20 August 1802 (2 fructidor year X) to 20 August 1803 (2 fructidor year XI).
- 5th session: from 26 September 1803 (3 vendémiaire year XII) to 2 June 1804 (13 prairial year XII).
- 6th session: from 2 December 1804 (11 frimaire year XIII) to 30 December 1805 (9 nivôse year XIV).
- 7th session: from 1 January 1806 to 12 May 1806.
- 8th session: from 14 August 1807 to 18 September 1807.