Constitutional amendments under the French Fifth Republic explained

The French constitution of 4 October 1958 was revised many times in its early years. Changes to this fundamental law have become more frequent since the 1990s, for two major reasons:

  1. public projects for institutional modernization
  2. adaptation to European Union and other international law.

Overview

Amendment procedures

Article 89

The revision of the Constitution under Article 89 of the Constitution:[1]

In its current form, article 89 and 42 state that "the plenary discussion of the draft constitutional amendment ... carries, on first reading to the first meeting, on the text submitted by the Government, and for further reading on the text sent by the other parliamentary branch" (and not on the text adopted by the committee as ordinary laws). Furthermore, "the discussion in meeting, first reading of a draft or a bill can only occur before the first assembly, until the expiration of a period of six weeks after filing. It can only occur before the second meeting at the expiration of a period of four weeks from the date of transmission."

The Constitutional Council declared itself incompetent to rule on a constitutional revision.[2]

Other ways to amend

Since the beginning of the French Fifth Republic, revisions have been adopted without using section 89.

When amendments are effective

Unless otherwise stated, the provisions of constitutional laws come into force on the date of enactment.

However, some recent constitutional laws have provided a delayed effective date. The material content of the Constitution, in these cases, changes on different dates from those of other enactments of constitutional laws.

For example, the constitution act of 23 July 2008 provides in article 46 that some sections of the reform are effective on 1 March 2009 and others "under the conditions established by law and necessary for their implementing organic laws" (translated).[3] [4] Thus the old wording of certain articles remained in force for more than eighteen months after the constitutional amendment, while implementing laws were not all ready. This is notably the case of the establishment of referendums initiated by the parliament and supported by a part of the electorate, which is foreseen in the new version of Article 11.

The same constitutional amendment provides in Article 47 that certain amendments of the articles of the Constitution relating to the European Union come into force at the time Lisbon Treaty becomes effective.[5] This occurred on 1 December 2009 and the new content of these articles came into force on that date.

The Constitutional Law of 1 March 2005 had planned similar provisions concerning entry into force of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe,[6] which have become obsolete due to the termination of the process of ratification of this Treaty.

Adopted amendments

All amendments

The French Constitution of the Fifth Republic has been revised twenty-four different times since 1958:

DateArticlesReason for RevisionProcedure
EnactedIn effect
4 June 1960[7] 85, 86Independence of African Member States of the French Communityold article 85
6 November 1962[8] 6Direct election of President by universal suffragearticle 11
30 December 1963[9] 28Change the date of parliamentary sessionsArticle 89 (congress)
29 October 1974[10] 61Extension of the right of referral to the Constitutional CouncilArticle 89 (congress)
18 June 1976[11] 7Changes the presidential election campaign rulesArticle 89 (congress)
25 June 1992[12] 2, 54, 74, 88-1, 88-2, 88-3, 88-4Revisions to the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty: Economic and monetary union, European citizens to vote in French municipal elections, common visa policy, French language, organic laws for overseas territories, parliamentary resolutions on community acts[13] Article 89 (congress)
27 July 1993[14] 65, 68, 68-1, 68-2, 93Creation of the Court of Justice of the Republic and reforms to the Superior Council of the Magistrature.Article 89 (congress)
25 November 1993[15] 53-1International agreements on AsylumArticle 89 (congress)
4 August 1995[16] 1, 2, 11, 12, 26, 28, 48, 49, 51, 68-3, 70, 76, 77–87, 88, 90–92Expanding possibilities of using the referendum, single parliamentary session, development of parliamentary immunity, repeal of provisions relating to the French CommunityArticle 89 (congress)
22 February 1996[17] 34, 39, 47-1Law for financing of social securityArticle 89 (Congress)
20 July 1998[18] 76, 77New CaledoniaArticle 89 (congress)
25 January 1999[19] 88-2, 88-4Revisions to the ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty[20] Article 89 (congress)
8 July 199953-2Provisions for recognizing the International Criminal CourtArticle 89 (congress)
8 July 1999[21] 3, 4Provisions for equality between women and menArticle 89 (congress)
2 October 2000[22] 6Five-year presidential termArticle 89 (referendum)
25 March 2003[23] 88-2European Arrest WarrantArticle 89 (congress)
28 March 2003[24] 1, 7, 13, 34, 37-1, 39, 60, 72, 72-1, 72-2, 72-3, 72-4, 73, 74, 74-1Decentralized organization of the Republic: local referendum, restriction on the administration of Communes (art. 72), experimentation by local government and local financeArticle 89 (congress)
1 March 2005[25] 1 March 200560, 88-1, 88-5Revisions for the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe[26] Article 89 (congress)
Never88-1, 88-2, 88-3, 88-4, 88-5, 88-6, 88-7
1 March 2005[27] Preamble, 34Environmental CharterArticle 89 (congress)
23 February 2007[28] 77Electoral College of New CaledoniaArticle 89 (congress)
23 February 2007[29] 67, 68Criminal statute about the head of stateArticle 89 (congress)
23 February 2007[30] 66-1Constitutionalisation of the abolition of the death penaltyArticle 89 (congress)
4 February 2008[31] 4 February 200888-1Revisions for the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon.[32] Article 89 (congress)
1 December 200988-1, 88-2, 88-4, 88-5, 88-6, 88-7
23 July 2008[33] 23 July 20081, 3, 4, 6, 16, 18, 24, 34, 35, 38, 47, 47-1, 47-2, 61, 62, 70, 71, 72-3, 74-1, 75-1, 87, 88-4, 88-5, 89Important revision providing: Term limit of two terms for the President of the Republic, introduction of shared initiative referendum and priority question of constitutionality, information of Parliament by the Government in case of intervention of the armed forces abroad, changes in the operation of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council and the Supreme Judicial Council, creation of Defender of Rights, agenda of assemblies set by the assembly, deliberation in open session of the Parliament on the text adopted by the committee ...Article 89 (congress)
From 25 July 200811, 13, 25, 34-1, 39, 44, 56, 61-1, 65, 69, 71-1, 73
1 March 200941, 42, 43, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50-1, 51-1, 51-2
1 December 200988-4, 88-5, 88-6
4 March 202434[34] Guarantees right to an abortion[35] Article 89 (congress)

1962: Election of the President of the Republic by direct universal suffrage

Wanting to override the likely opposition of the Senate, De Gaulle revised the constitution using Article 11, which allows the president to submit to referendum "any bill on the organization of government."[36] The legality of using this method is very questionable, as the Constitution provides mechanisms for its own review in section 89 (a referendum is possible, but only with the agreement of the parliament). It aroused intense political debate and legal controversy, and the formation of a secret group of votes against (cartel des non).[37] [38]

However, the prestige of De Gaulle, the fact that the "yes" won with over 62% of the vote, and the fact that the Constitutional Council refuses to review the constitutionality of laws passed by referendum (as they are adopted by the people), allowed the implementation of this reform.

In practice, this reform has not only changed the method of electing the President, it has also significantly increased its powers by giving it a popular legitimacy not shared by the Prime Minister. For example, the President could, except in periods of cohabitation, ask the prime minister to resign, which is not provided in the text of the original.

1974: Reform of the method of referral to the Constitutional Council

Background

The Constitutional Council was intended by Michel Debré and Charles de Gaulle to be a gun against the Parliament, as part of a Thus, the Commission's role was primarily to enforce Article 34 of the Constitution, limiting the encroachments of the parliament and, in contrast, creating a strong and independent executive. However, Constitutional Decision 71-44 DC of 16 July 1971 gave a new place to the Constitutional Council.

Review

Because of this, the Constitutional Council needed reform. Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, newly elected President of the Republic, wanted to expand the ability to refer legislation to the Constitutional Council to members of parliament (60 deputies or 60 senators), allowing a large enough opposition to refer legislation the Constitutional Council and so ensure compliance with the Constitution.

He also wanted the Constitutional Council to be able to take the initiative to review legislation that they claimed infringed on civil liberties guaranteed by the preamble or the body of the Constitution,[39] so that every law would actually be consistent with the Constitution. Indeed, in the absence of the political will for a parliamentary referral, a law contrary to the Constitution can enter into force. The National Assembly, however, prevented this provision, especially because it could "lead almost inevitably to the Council using it to prejudge the decision they will have to take"(translated).[40] [41] if they had already said they would choose to review a law.

Consequences

The constitutional revision of 1974, though it was called a "small reform" when it was voted on by Congress, has profoundly upset French political action, better ensuring the superiority of the Constitution over the laws. There were 54 constitutional decisions between 1958 and 1975, there were more than 200 in the next 15 years, between 1975 and 1990. However, the problem of referral remained unresolved: it was still possible today to see a law contrary to the Constitution coming into force, with the excesses that it could carry. An independent referral to the parliamentary and executive power seemed essential, as was the case in Germany or Spain. Since March 2010, the Priority Question of Constitutionality opened ability to refer legislation to any person who, in the course of a proceeding, challenges the constitutionality of a statutory provision. This referral allows, after being filtered by the Supreme Court of jurisdiction, (Court of Cassation or Council of State) to ask the Constitutional Council to repeal this provision, if it is contrary to a right or freedom that Constitution guarantees.

1992: Maastricht Treaty

This amendment was intended to make the Constitution compatible with the Treaty on European Union .

2000: The Quinquennat

A five-year presidential term of office was presented for the first time on 10 September 1973 by Georges Pompidou. The text was passed in identical terms by the National Assembly and the Senate, but was not submitted to Congress for final approval.[42] The President did not continue the action, as he could not muster the required three-fifths majority in Congress and because of resistance to his project.[43] [44]

The bill of 2000 is the first constitutional amendment submitted to referendum pursuant to section 89 of the Constitution. After 73% of "yes" votes on 24 September 2000, it passed on October 2. It limited the term of French presidents to five years, but was not applied to the president, Jacques Chirac, who was elected in 1995 for seven years. The main motivation for this revision was to avoid cohabitation, by matching the term of office of the President with the Deputies. Indeed, when the parliamentary majority did not support the President, he would be forced to appoint a hostile prime minister as a minister of his party and would be likely be reversed by the National Assembly.

2005: Charter for the Environment

The Constitution includes in its preamble, since 1 March 2005, the Charter for the Environment of ten articles, initiated by President of the Republic Jacques Chirac and drafted by a Commission led by Yves Coppens.

2008: Ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon

For the subsequent ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, a revision of Title XV of the Constitution was passed by Congress on February 4, 2008, by 560 votes against 181. The Constitutional Law was issued on the same day.[45]

The amendments to the Constitution endorse the transfer of sovereignty listed in the Treaty of Lisbon by direct reference to the text. Thirty areas covered so far by the unanimity rule as the common agricultural policy or criminal justice, now will require a vote of a supermajority.

In terms of institutional functioning, changes reflected in constitutional terms relating to the powers granted to national parliaments.

As of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, Title XV of the Constitution will be amended according to Article 2 of the Constitution Act.

Article 3 of the Constitution Act revokes the provisions of Article 3 of the Constitutional Law No. 2005-204 of 1 March 2005 which amended Title XV of the Constitution "from the entry into force of this Treaty": these constitutional provisions are not in force and are now devoid of purpose.

2008: Institutional reform

In continuation of the work of the "Balladur" committee Parliament met in Congress and adopted on 21 July 2008 a constitutional amendment that creates or amends 47 articles of the Constitution: articles 1, 3, 4, 6, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 24, 25, 34, 34-1 (new), 35, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 47-1, 47-2 (new), 48, 49, 50-1, 51-1 (new), 51-2 (new), 56, 61, 61-1 (new), 62, 65, 69, 70, 71, 71-1 (new), 72-3, 73, 74-1, 75-1 (new), 87 (new), 88-4, 88-5, 89. The vote was 539 votes in favor acquired with the adoption threshold is 538 votes, or two-thirds of the votes cast.[46]

2024: Right to abortion

Passed in a 780 to 72 vote, the measure amended Article 34. This amendment made France, as of passage, the only nation to guarantee the right to an abortion. The amendment describes abortion as a "guaranteed freedom"; while Yugoslavia included similar measures in 1974 guaranteeing the right to "decide on having children", the French amendment is the first to explicitly guarantee abortion.

Abandoned or unratified amendments

In 1969, Charles de Gaulle had a bill on the creation of the regions and on the renovation of the Senate.[47] Adopted by both houses, the referendum of 27 April 1969 rejected (52.4% no, Charles de Gaulle, taking note of the refusal of the French people, immediately resigned). Regionalization was finally put into place via legislation, notably in 1972 and a 2003 constitutional revision which constitutionalized the region.[48]

In 1974, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, seeking to amend Article 25 of the Constitution to make the rules of the dual office holding between a parliamentary office and functions of government.[49] The project was approved by both chambers but the president did not pursue the matter further.

In 1984, François Mitterrand wanted to expand the scope of the referendum from Article 11 to extend the basic guarantees of civil liberties[50] The bill was passed by the National Assembly but rejected by the Senate.

Referral to the Constitutional Council by citizens in the framework of the institution of constitutional review by exception was first presented by François Mitterrand in 1990 the bill[51] was approved by the National Assembly, as amended by the Senate and eventually withdrawn by the Government. A new bill,[52] introduced in 1993, was abandoned after deliberation by the Senate. Finally, the priority question of constitutionality was introduced to the article 61-1 de la constitution|Article 61-1 of the Constitution by section 29 of the Act Constitution of 23 July 2008.

In 1998, Jacques Chirac undertook to reform the Supreme Judicial Council. Filed on 15 April 1998, the bill was adopted by both houses on 18 November 1998.[53] The bill was not presented to Congress. However, the composition of the said Council would be reformed via the constitutional amendment of July 23, 2008.[54]

Jacques Chirac presented a bill about French Polynesia and New Caledonia. Filed on 26 May 1999, it was adopted by both houses on October 12. The decree of 3 November 1999[55] intending to submit these two bills in the Parliament in Congress January 24, 2000, but was removed from consideration by the decree of the President of the Republic of 19 January 2000. Later these collectivities will be globally affected by the constitutional revision of 28 March 2003 on the decentralized organization of the Republic. New Caledonia would then be covered by the constitutional amendment of February 23, 2003 for its constituency and French Polynesia, the Organic Act No. 2004-192 of 27 February 2004 concerning the autonomy of French Polynesia.[56]

In 2011, Nicolas Sarkozy wished to include in the Constitution rules providing for a gradual return to a balanced budget, called "Golden Rule", which was passed by both houses on second reading by the Senate July 11, 2011 and third reading in identical terms by the National Assembly July 13, 2011.[57] Due to the inability to raise the necessary three-fifths majority in Congress, President Nicolas Sarkozy abandoned this amendment, hoping to resume if re-elected, which was not the case.[58] Finally, Parliament adopted, in November 2012, a simple organic law which takes the idea of the Golden Rule[59]

On 13 March 2013, under the chairmanship of François Hollande four bills are presented in the Council of Ministers:

The Government wanted Congress to meet in July, but due to time and an insufficient majority, only one bill was discussed in Parliament (the one on the High Judicial Council) where the Senate had cleared the bill of its content. Following this, the Government was forced to postpone revisions.[64]

Study groups on the constitutional amendments

Several committees have been formally constituted to formulate proposals to overhaul governmental institutions:

Organic Laws Cited

For more information on organic law, see the article Organic law.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexteArticle.do?idArticle=LEGIARTI000019240655&cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006071194 Article 89 of the Constitution, version in force since 25 July 2008
  2. Web site: Décision n° 2003-469 DC du 26 mars 2003 . French . Decision No. 2003-469 DC of 26 March 2003 . 26 March 2003 . LegiFrance . 15 November 2014.
  3. Web site: LOI constitutionnelle n°2008-724 du 23 juillet 2008 - Article 46 . French . Constitutional LAW n°2008-724 of 23 July 2008 - Article 46 . 23 July 2008 . LegiFrance . 15 November 2014.
  4. Original: dans les conditions fixées par les lois et lois organiques nécessaires à leur application.
  5. Web site: LOI constitutionnelle n°2008-724 du 23 juillet 2008 - Article 47 . French . Constitutional Law n°2008-724 of 23 July 2008 - Article 47 . 23 July 2008 . LegiFrance . 15 November 2014.
  6. Web site: Loi constitutionnelle n°2005-204 du 1 mars 2005 modifiant le titre XV de la Constitution . 15 November 2014 . LegiFrance . 15 November 2014.
  7. 4 juin 1960. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000693661. tendant à compléter les dispositions du titre XII de la Constitution. constitutionnelle n° 60-525.
  8. 6 novembre 1962. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/LEGIARTI000043304665. relative à l'élection du Président de la République au suffrage universel. n° 62-1292.
  9. 30 décembre 1963. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000864822. portant modification des dispositions de l'article 28 de la Constitution. constitutionnelle n° 63-1327.
  10. 29 octobre 1974. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000514191. portant révision de l'article 61 de la Constitution. constitutionnelle n° 74-904.
  11. 18 juin 1976. modifiant l'article 7 de la Constitution. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000522269. constitutionnelle n° 76-527.
  12. 25 juin 1992. ajoutant à la Constitution un titre : "Des Communautés européennes et de l'Union européenne". https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000723466. constitutionnelle n° 92-554.
  13. the Maastricht Treaty was ratified in accordance with No. 92-1017 of 24 September 1992 authorizing the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty, itself approved by referendum on September 20, 1992
  14. 27 juillet 1993. portant révision de la Constitution du 4 octobre 1958 et modifiant ses titres VIII, IX, X et XVIII. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000529277. constitutionnelle n° 93-952.
  15. 25 novembre 1993. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000864577. relative aux accords internationaux en matière de droit d'asile. constitutionnelle n°93-1256.
  16. 4 août 1995. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000188958. portant extension du champ d'application du référendum, instituant une session parlementaire ordinaire unique, modifiant le régime de l'inviolabilité parlementaire et abrogeant les dispositions relatives à la Communauté et les dispositions transitoires. constitutionnelle no 95-880.
  17. 22 février 1996. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000741468. instituant les lois de financement de la sécurité sociale. constitutionnelle no 96-138.
  18. 20 juillet 1998. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000756878. relative à la Nouvelle-Calédonie. constitutionnelle no 98-610.
  19. 8 juillet 1999. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000577369. insérant, au titre VI de la Constitution, un article 53-2 et relative à la Cour pénale internationale. constitutionnelle n° 99-568.
  20. The Amsterdam Treaty is ratified according to Law No. 99-229 of 23 March 1999 authorizing the ratification of the Treaty of Amsterdam amending the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties establishing the European Communities and certain related acts.
  21. 8 juillet 1999. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000396412. relative à l'égalité entre les femmes et les hommes. constitutionnelle n° 99-569.
  22. 2 octobre 2000. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000219201. constitutionnelle n° 2000-964. relative à la durée du mandat du Président de la République.
  23. 25 mars 2003. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000418740. constitutionnelle n° 2003-267. relative au mandat d'arrêt européen.
  24. 28 mars 2003. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000601882. relative à l'organisation décentralisée de la République. constitutionnelle n° 2003-276.
  25. 1er mars 2005. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000238079. modifiant le titre XV de la Constitution. constitutionnelle n° 2005-204.
  26. The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe has not been ratified by France after the "nays" won the referendum of May 29, 2005. Thus, amendments to bring the constitution into compliance with the Treaty (Article 3 of the Constitution Act) never entered into force.
  27. 1er mars 2005. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000790249. relative à la Charte de l'environnement. constitutionnelle n° 2005-205.
  28. 23 février 2007. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000425507. modifiant l'article 77 de la Constitution. constitutionnelle n° 2007-237.
  29. 23 février 2007. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000245803. portant modification du titre IX de la Constitution. constitutionnelle n° 2007-238.
  30. 23 février 2007. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000792320. relative à l'interdiction de la peine de mort. constitutionnelle n° 2007-239.
  31. 4 février 2008. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000018071229. modifiant le titre XV de la Constitution. constitutionnelle n° 2008-103.
  32. The Treaty of Lisbon was ratified following Act No. 2008-125 of 13 February 2008 authorizing the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union, the Treaty establishing the European Community and certain related acts
  33. 23 juillet 2008. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000019237256. de modernisation des institutions de la Ve République. constitutionnelle n° 2008-724.
  34. News: Surk . Barbara . Garriga . Nicolas . France becomes the only country to explicitly guarantee abortion as a constitutional right . 4 March 2024 . AP News . The Associated Press . 4 March 2024 . en.
  35. News: Porter . Catherine . French Lawmakers Enshrine Access to Abortion in Constitution . 4 March 2024 . The New York Times . 4 March 2024.
  36. Original: tout projet de loi portant sur l'organisation des pouvoirs publics
  37. Book: Collective . 27 October 2014 . Parlement[S] 2014-1 Revue d Histoire Politique 21 . Parliament [S] 2014-1 Journal of Policy History 21 . French . Classiq Garnier . 978-2812430039.
  38. Book: Rioux . Jean-Pierre . Poncelet . Christian . Berstein . Serge . Le Béguec . Gilles . 1 Jan 2005 . Parlements, N° hors-série 2004 : Changer de République ? (1962-2004) : Histoire et perspectives . Parliaments, No. Special Issue 2004: Change the Republic? (1962-2004): History and Prospects . French . Armand Colin . 978-2200909918.
  39. Web site: Projet de loi constitutionnelle portant révision de l'article 61 de la Constitution. (A.N. n° 1181 - 27 septembre 1974) . French . Draft constitutional amendment of Article 61 of the Constitution Act. (A. N. No. 1181-27 September 1974) . 27 September 1974 . Sénat de la France . 16 November 2014.
  40. Web site: Rapport n° 1190, Assemblée Nationale, Constitution du 4 Octobre 1958 . French . Report No. 1190, National Assembly, Constitution of October 4, 1958 . 3 October 1974 . LegiFrance . 16 November 2014.
  41. Original: de conduire presque inéluctablement le Conseil, lorsqu'il en fera usage, à préjuger la décision qu'il sera amené à prendre
  42. News: 17 July 2008 . Les présidents qui ont reculé . Presidents who failed . French . Le Point.fr . 16 November 2014.
  43. 29 May 2008 . En 1973, Pompidou renonce au quinquennat . French . In 1973, Pompidou renounces the quinquennat . Le Figaro .
  44. Jeanneney . Jean-Marcel . 13 October 1973 . Contre le quinquennat . French . Against the quinquennat . Le Monde .
  45. Web site: 4 February 2008 . LOI constitutionnelle n° 2008-103 du 4 février 2008 modifiant le titre XV de la Constitution . Constitutional LAW No. 2008-103 of 4 February 2008 amending Title XV of the Constitution . 16 November 2014 . LegiFrance . French.
  46. Web site: Scrutin public surle projet de loi constitutionnelle de modernisation des institutions de la Ve République . French . Public poll on the surle bill of constitutional modernization of institutions of the Fifth Republic . Assemblée Nationale . 16 November 2014.
  47. Web site: Lettre du Premier ministre au Président de la République . French . Letter from the Prime Minister to the President of the Republic . 2 April 1969 . Sénat . 16 November 2014.
  48. Web site: 28 March 2003 . LOI constitutionnelle n° 2003-276 du 28 mars 2003 relative à l'organisation décentralisée de la République . Constitutional LAW No. 2003-276 of 28 March 2003 on the decentralized organization of the Republic . 16 November 2014 . LegiFrance . French.
  49. Web site: Projet de loi constitutionnelle portant révision de l'article 25 de la Constitution . French . Constitutional bill revising Article 25 of the Constitution . 27 September 1974 . Sénat . 16 November 2014.
  50. Web site: Projet de loi constitutionnelle portant révision de l'article 11 de la Constitution pour permettre aux Français de se prononcer par référendum sur les garanties fondamentales en matière de libertés publiques . French . Constitutional bill revising Article 11 of the Constitution to allow the French to vote in a referendum on basic guarantees of civil liberties . 20 July 1984 . Sénat . 16 November 2014.
  51. Web site: Projet de loi constitutionnelle n°1203 portant révision des articles 61, 62 et 63 de la Constitution . French . Constitutional Bill No. 1203 amending articles 61, 62 and 63 of the Constitution . 29 March 1990 . Sénat . 16 November 2014.
  52. Web site: Projets de lois constitutionnelles de 1993 . French . Draft constitutional laws 1993 . 10 March 1993 . Sénat . 16 November 2014.
  53. Web site: Projet de loi constitutionnelle TA n° 23 relatif au Conseil supérieur de la magistrature . French . Constitutional Law TA No. 23 on the High Judicial Council . 18 November 1998 . Sénat . 16 November 2014.
  54. Web site: Réforme . French . Reform . Consei Superieur La Magistrature . 15 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140923020513/http://conseil-superieur-magistrature.fr/reforme . 23 September 2014 . dead .
  55. Web site: DECRET du 3 NOVEMBRE 1999 TENDANT A SOUMETTRE DEUX PROJETS DE LOI CONSTITUTIONNELLE AU PARLEMENT REUNI EN CONGRES . French . DECREE of November 3, 1999 PRELIMINARILY SUBMIT TWO BILLS IN PARLIAMENT MET IN CONGRESS . 3 November 1999 . LegiFrance . 16 November 2014.
  56. Web site: Loi organique n° 2004-192 du 27 février 2004 portant statut d'autonomie de la Polynésie française . French . Organization Act No. 2004-192 of 27 February 2004 autonomous status of French Polynesia . 27 February 2004 . LegiFrance . 16 November 2014.
  57. Web site: Dossiers législatifs - Projet de loi constitutionnelle relatif à l'équilibre des finances publiques . French . Legislative matters - Draft Constitutional Law on Fiscal Balance . 12 July 2011 . LegiFrance . 16 November 2014.
  58. Web site: Nicolas Sarkozy abandonnerait sa règle d'or, en attendant 2012 . French . Nicolas Sarkozy gives up his golden rule, pending 2012 . 7 September 2011 . Le Post . 16 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140419015118/http://archives-lepost.huffingtonpost.fr/article/2011/09/07/2584292_nicolas-sarkozy-abandonne-sa-regle-d-or-reculer-pour-mieux-sauter.html . 19 April 2014 . dead .
  59. Web site: LOI organique n° 2012-1403 du 17 décembre 2012 relative à la programmation et à la gouvernance des finances publiques . French . Organic LAW 2012-1403 of 17 December 2012 on the programming and management of public finances . 17 December 2012 . LegiFrance . 16 November 2014.
  60. Web site: Dossiers législatifs - Projet de loi constitutionnelle relatif à la responsabilité juridictionnelle du Président de la République et des membres du Gouvernement (PRMX1306705L) . French . Legislative matters - Draft Constitutional Law on the legal responsibility of the President of the Republic and members of the Government (PRMX1306705L) . 15 March 2013 . LegiFrance . 16 November 2014.
  61. Web site: Dossiers législatifs - Projet de loi constitutionnelle portant réforme du Conseil supérieur de la magistrature (PRMX1306704L) . French . Legislative matters - Draft Constitutional Law Reform Higher Judicial Council (PRMX1306704L) . 4 July 2013 . LegiFrance . 16 November 2014.
  62. Web site: Dossiers législatifs - Projet de loi constitutionnelle relatif aux incompatibilités applicables à l'exercice des fonctions gouvernementales et à la composition du Conseil constitutionnel (PRMX1306702L) . French . Legislative matters - Draft Constitutional Law on incompatibilities applicable to the exercise of governmental functions and composition of the Constitutional Council (PRMX1306702L) . 15 March 2013 . LegiFrance . 15 November 2014.
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