The dialogue that the Mediator of the French Republic maintains with the two assemblies that make up the French parliament - the National Assembly and the Senate - is an essential element for the exercise of his missions. He works directly and in close partnership with the representatives of French citizens - the members of parliament.
The relationship between the Mediator and the deputies and senators take three main forms:
• Firstly, referral to the Mediator of the French Republic is made through the intermediary of a member of parliament.
• Secondly, the Mediator has the power to propose reforms to members of parliament.
• Thirdly, every year the Mediator presents an annual report to parliament.
• Members of parliament act as intermediaries between citizens and the Mediator of the French Republic. They contact the Mediator by request of the citizen. The referral can be made in three different ways:
• The complainant puts together a full dossier, containing a clear account of the dispute and all the documents relating to the case, and hands it to the deputy or senator of his/her choice - not necessarily the deputy or senator for his/her department or constituency. The member of parliament chosen by the citizen relays it to the Mediator.
• The member of parliament contacted by the citizen may choose to hand the complaint to a delegate who passes it on to the Mediator of the Republic.
• The parliamentary assemblies may contact the Mediator on their own initiative. At the request of any of the six standing committees of their assembly, the President of the Senate or the President of the National Assembly may refer any petition brought before either of the two houses to the Mediator of the French Republic.
Besides being contacted by members of parliament in order to settle existing conflicts between citizens and government offices, the Mediator of the French Republic may, conversely, approach members of parliament in order to prevent these conflicts. He has the power to propose reforms to the upper and lower houses of parliament.
The Mediator of the French Republic presents an annual report on his activities to the President of the French Republic and to the upper and lower houses.
This annual report constitutes a new means of linking the Mediator of the French Republic to French citizens through the intermediary of members of parliament, as since the law of 12 April 2000, the publication of his report must be accompanied by a presentation in public session in each of the two houses.
