 Political parties gather in the National Assembly , which consists of 240 deputies elected to four @-@ year terms by direct popular vote . The National Assembly has the power to enact laws , approve the budget , schedule presidential elections , select and dismiss the Prime Minister and other ministers , declare war , deploy troops abroad , and ratify international treaties and agreements . The president serves as the head of state and commander @-@ in @-@ chief of the armed forces , and has the authority to return a bill for further debate , although the parliament can override the presidential veto by a simple majority vote of all members of parliament . 
