French Constitution: Amendments And Their Impact

The French Constitution, currently in its Fifth Republic, has been amended 24 or 25 times since its inception in 1958. Amendments are initiated by the President of France, upon proposal by the Prime Minister and members of Parliament. The most recent amendment occurred in 2024, guaranteeing the right to abortion. Other notable amendments include the introduction of a consecutive two-term limit for the presidency in 2008 and the limitation of the presidential term to five years in 2000.

Explore related products

La Constitution Libanaise Revisitée: Proposition de projet de loi constitutionnelle portant modification de certaines dispositions de la Constitution (French Edition)

$15

Collection Containing the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and Its Amendments, the Treaty of Cession between the United States and the French 1810 [Leather Bound]

$25.95

Adoption and Amendment of Constitutions in Europe and America 1895 [Leather Bound]

$30.95

An Authentic Copy of the French Constitution, as Revised and Amended by the National Assembly, ... To Which is Added, a Copy of the King's Letter to ... Assembly, on Accepting the Constitution

$21.95

Constitution Nouvelle Des Sciences, Arts Et Metiers ... Presente A L'Assemblee Nationale... (French Edition)

$17.75

Teacher's Discovery Dry-Erase Class Constitution Poster

$14.99 $18.99

Amendments to the French Constitution are initiated by the President of France

The current French Constitution, also known as the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, was adopted on October 4, 1958. It has been amended 24 to 25 times since its inception, most recently in 2024. The Constitution sets out two methods for its own amendment: either a referendum (Article 11) or a parliamentary process with presidential consent.

The French Constitution has been revised to address various issues, such as the term length of the presidency, the veto power of Parliament over presidential appointments, and the right to abortion. For example, in 2000, the Constitution was amended to shorten the president's term of office from seven years to five, coinciding with the term of parliament. This amendment aimed to reduce the likelihood of "cohabitation," where the president and parliamentary majority are from opposing parties.

Additionally, on July 21, 2008, Parliament passed constitutional reforms championed by President Nicolas Sarkozy by a narrow margin of two votes. These reforms introduced a consecutive two-term limit for the presidency, enhanced parliamentary powers, and ended the president's right of collective pardon.

Amendments must be approved by both houses of Parliament

The French Constitution, currently in its Fifth Republic, has been amended 24 to 26 times since its inception on October 4, 1958. The most recent amendment occurred in 2024, guaranteeing the right to abortion. Notably, the constitution was also amended in 2008, introducing a consecutive two-term limit for the presidency, granting Parliament a veto over some presidential appointments, and ending the president's right of collective pardon.

Amending the French Constitution follows a specific process. Firstly, a constitutional bill must be approved by both houses of Parliament, namely the National Assembly and the Senate. This step is crucial, as it ensures that any proposed changes have the support of a majority in both chambers. The National Assembly is directly elected and holds primary power in passing legislation, while the Senate can delay but not block it.

Once a bill is approved by both houses, it then has two possible routes to finalisation. One path involves submitting the bill to Congress, a special joint session of both houses. Here, the bill needs to be approved by a three-fifths majority of the votes cast. This step underscores the importance of achieving a strong consensus among the legislators.

Alternatively, if the President of the Republic decides, the bill can bypass the Congress stage and proceed directly to a referendum. In this case, the French people will have the final say on the proposed amendment through a direct vote. This mechanism ensures that significant constitutional changes reflect the will of the citizens.

In conclusion, the requirement for amendments to be approved by both houses of Parliament is a fundamental step in the French constitutional amendment process. It ensures legislative support and scrutiny before potential further approval by Congress or the people through a referendum. This multi-step process helps maintain a balance of powers and protects the integrity of the French Constitution.

Amendments can be approved by referendum or parliamentary process

The French Constitution, currently referred to as the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, was adopted on October 4, 1958, and has since been amended twenty-four to twenty-five times, most recently in 2024. The Constitution regards the separation of church and state, democracy, social welfare, and indivisibility as core principles of the French state.

Amendments to the French Constitution can be approved by referendum or parliamentary process. The normal procedure for constitutional amendment is that the amendment must first be adopted in identical terms by both houses of parliament. Following this, the amendment must be approved by a simple majority in a referendum or by the Congress, a special joint session of both houses. However, if the President of the Republic decides to submit the amendment to Parliament convened in Congress, it bypasses the referendum stage and is approved by a three-fifths majority of the votes cast.

Article 11 of the Constitution has been used for constitutional changes on two occasions, in 1962 and 1969, with the latter vote resulting in a "No" majority, causing Charles de Gaulle to resign from the presidency. The most recent amendment to the Constitution occurred on March 4, 2024, when Parliament amended Article 34, guaranteeing the right to abortion and describing it as a "guaranteed freedom."

The French Constitution also allows for the initiation of amendments by the President of the Republic, on the proposal of the French Prime Minister and members of the French Parliament. The amendment process is typically finalized after being approved by referendum. However, it is important to note that no amendment procedure can jeopardize the integrity of the national territory or the republican form of government.

Explore related products

L'évolution de la Constitution. Le système juridique et politique de la République de Macédoine de l'indépendance à nos jours (French Edition)

$2.11

Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution

$28.49 $31

OBSCENE LITERATURE AND CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: A Forensic Defense of Freedom of the Press

$28.95

Jefferson's Parliamentary Writings: Parliamentary Pocket-Book and A Manual of Parliamentary Practice. Second Series (Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Second Series)

$87 $87

A Dictionary of Human Rights

$211.26 $350

US Constitution: Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, & Amendments

$7.64 $7.64

The Constitution has been amended 24-25 times since 1958

The current French Constitution, often referred to as the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, was adopted on 4 October 1958. It has been amended 24 to 25 times since then, most recently in 2024. The Constitution regards the separation of church and state, democracy, social welfare, and indivisibility as core principles of the French state. It defines France as an indivisible, secular, democratic, and social republic, based on the principle of "government of the people, by the people, and for the people", and the maxim "liberty, equality, fraternity".

The process of constitutional amendment in France is outlined in Article 89 of the Constitution. Firstly, a constitutional bill must be approved by both houses of Parliament. The bill must then be approved by Congress, a special joint session of both houses, or submitted to a referendum. Alternatively, the President of the Republic may decide to bypass the referendum process by submitting the bill directly to Parliament, in which case it must be approved by a three-fifths majority. Notably, no amendment procedure may jeopardize the integrity of the national territory, and the republican form of government cannot be revised.

The French Constitution has undergone several significant amendments since its inception in 1958. In 1962, Charles de Gaulle proposed that the president be elected by direct suffrage, bypassing the amendment procedure by sending the proposal directly to a referendum. The referendum was approved by 62% of the vote, establishing a popularly-elected presidency. In 1973, a five-year presidential term limit was introduced, with the aim of avoiding cohabitation between the president and deputies. On 21 July 2008, Parliament passed constitutional reforms championed by President Nicolas Sarkozy, which introduced a consecutive two-term limit for the presidency, gave Parliament greater powers, and ended the president's right of collective pardon. Most recently, on 4 March 2024, Parliament amended Article 34, guaranteeing the right to abortion and describing it as a "guaranteed freedom".

The French Constitution has been amended numerous times since 1958 to adapt to the evolving needs and values of the nation. These amendments have shaped the country's political landscape, expanded the rights of its citizens, and reinforced its democratic principles.

Amendments include the right to abortion and a two-term limit for the presidency

The French Constitution, also known as the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, has been amended 24 to 25 times since 1958. The most recent amendment occurred in 2024, which included a revision that enshrined the right to abortion in the constitution. This amendment was passed in a 780-72 vote during a special joint session and described abortion as a "guaranteed freedom". This move made France the first country to explicitly guarantee abortion as a constitutional right. Abortion has been legal in France since 1975, when La Loi Veil ("The Veil Act") was passed, decriminalising the act.

In addition to the right to abortion, the French Constitution also includes a two-term limit for the presidency. This amendment was passed on July 21, 2008, and introduced a consecutive two-term restriction for the presidency. The change was part of a set of constitutional reforms championed by President Nicolas Sarkozy, which also included provisions granting Parliament greater powers.

The French Constitution outlines a process for amending the document, which can be initiated by the President of France upon a proposal by the French Prime Minister and members of the French Parliament. For an amendment to be successful, it must be passed by both houses of Parliament and then either approved by Congress or submitted to a referendum. This process has been utilised numerous times throughout the history of the Fifth Republic to make changes to various aspects of the constitution.

The French Constitution holds core principles such as the separation of church and state, democracy, social welfare, and indivisibility. These principles guide the country's governance and have been refined over time through the amendment process. The right to abortion and the two-term limit for the presidency are significant additions that reflect the evolving nature of French law and society.

Frequently asked questions