16 May 1877 crisis

The 16 May 1877 crisis (French: Crise du seize mai) is a constitutional crisis in the French Third Republic concerning the distribution of power between the President and the legislature.

When the Royalist President Patrice Mac-Mahon dismisses the Opportunist Republican Prime Minister Jules Simon, parliament on May 16, 1877 refuses to support the new government and is dissolved by the President.

New elections bring in an overwhelming victory for the Republicans.

Thus, the interpretation of the 1875 Constitution as a parliamentary system prevails over a presidential system.

The crisis ultimately seals the defeat of the Royalist movement, and is instrumental in creating the conditions of the longevity of the Third Republic.

No related events match the current filters.