Eleanor Finch
The current French constitution, also known as the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, was adopted on October 4, 1958, and officially promulgated on the same day that year after being approved by the people in a referendum on September 28, 1958. It replaced the Constitution of the Fourth Republic of 1946. The constitution has been amended twenty-five times, most recently in 2024. It establishes France as a secular, democratic, and social republic, based on the principles of indivisibility, laïcité (separation of church and state), and national sovereignty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date established | 4 October 1958 |
| Name | Constitution of the Fifth Republic (French: la Constitution de la Cinquième République) |
| Type of government | Semi-presidential system |
| Separation of powers | Legislative, executive, and judicial |
| Core principles | Separation of church and state, democracy, social welfare, indivisibility |
| Amending formula | Referendum (Article 11) or parliamentary process with presidential consent |
| National emblem | Blue, white, and red tricolour flag |
| National anthem | La Marseillaise |
| National language | French |
| Maxim | "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" |
| Principle of government | Government of the people, by the people, and for the people |
| Suffrage | Universal, equal, and secret |
| Voting rights | All French citizens of either sex who have reached their majority and possess civil and political rights |
| Intellectual property | Protected by the Preamble and Article 34 |
| Parliamentary legislation domains | Public liberties, criminal law, taxation, property rights, labor law, social security, and national defense |
| Number of amendments | 25 (as of 2024) |
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What You'll Learn
- The current French constitution is called the Constitution of the Fifth Republic
- It was adopted on 4 October 1958
- It has been amended 24 or 25 times, most recently in 2024
- It outlines the principles of the French Republic, including social welfare, democracy, and indivisibility
- It establishes a semi-presidential system of government
The current French constitution is called the Constitution of the Fifth Republic
The Constitution of the Fifth Republic regards the separation of church and state, democracy, social welfare, and indivisibility as core principles of the French state. It establishes a semi-presidential system of government, with a president and a prime minister. The president is a guardian of the state and the constitution, while the prime minister has the power to decide on the government's actions and policies. The constitution also grants exclusive power to the parliament to enact laws in areas such as public liberties, criminal law, taxation, property rights, labour law, social security, and national defence.
The French Constitution sets out methods for its own amendment, either through a referendum or a parliamentary process with presidential consent. It also establishes the Constitutional Council, composed of nine justices, to review the constitutionality of laws. The members of the Council are appointed by the President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly, and the President of the Senate.
The Constitution of the Fifth Republic replaced the Constitution of the Fourth Republic of 1946, with the exception of the preamble, which was considered non-binding until a jurisprudential reversal in 1971. The preamble recalls the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen from 1789 and establishes France as a secular and democratic country, deriving its sovereignty from the people.
The Constitution of the Fifth Republic is the fundamental text that governs France, outlining the country's aspirations and principles, including its commitment to the Rights of Man and the principles of national sovereignty.
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It was adopted on 4 October 1958
The current French Constitution, also known as the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, was adopted on 4 October 1958. It was approved by the people of France in a referendum on 28 September 1958 and officially came into force on 4 October that year. This constitution replaced the Constitution of the Fourth Republic of 1946, with the exception of the preamble per a 1971 decision of the Constitutional Council.
The Constitution of 4 October 1958 established the Fifth Republic in France. It set out the principles of the French Republic, including social welfare, laïcité (the separation of church and state), democracy, and indivisibility. These principles are reflected in the constitution's preamble, which recalls the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen from 1789 and establishes France as a secular and democratic country.
The Constitution of 1958 has been amended multiple times since its adoption, including notable amendments in 2008 and most recently in 2024. These amendments are made through either a referendum or a parliamentary process with presidential consent. The constitution also outlines the methods for its own amendment, which include adoption by both houses of parliament and approval by a simple majority in a referendum or a three-fifths supermajority of the French Congress.
The Constitution of 4 October 1958 also sets out the roles of different branches of government, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. It establishes a semi-presidential system, with a president and a prime minister. The constitution grants exclusive power to the parliament to enact laws in areas such as public liberties, criminal law, taxation, property rights, labour law, social security, and national defence. The judiciary is independent, and the judicial system consists of criminal and civil courts, including commercial courts.
The Constitution of 4 October 1958 is a fundamental text that governs the Fifth Republic in France. It outlines the country's aspirations and principles, including its commitment to the Rights of Man and the principles of national sovereignty. It also establishes the role of the Constitutional Council, which is responsible for reviewing the constitutionality of laws and is composed of nine justices.
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It has been amended 24 or 25 times, most recently in 2024
The current French Constitution, also known as the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, was adopted on 4 October 1958. It has been amended 24 or 25 times, most recently in 2024.
The constitution-making process in France has been a long and dynamic one, with the country witnessing a multitude of political systems since the French Revolution. The absolute monarchy of the Kingdom of France, under the Ancien Régime, lacked a formal constitution. However, the Revolutionary Era saw the emergence of several constitutions, including the Constitution of 1791, which established a parliamentary monarchy. This was followed by other constitutions, such as the Constitution of the Year III in 1795, and the Constitution of the Year VIII in 1799, each ushering in new political eras. The Bourbon Restoration was established by the Charter of 1814, followed by the Charter of 1815 and the Charter of 1830, which established the July Monarchy. The Constitution of 1848 marked the establishment of the Second Republic.
The Constitution of 1946 established the Fourth Republic, and it was replaced by the current Constitution of 1958, which founded the Fifth Republic. This constitution was approved by the people in a referendum on 28 September 1958 and officially came into force on 4 October 1958. The constitution has been amended multiple times since then, with notable revisions in 2008 and 2024. These amendments are made through a referendum or a parliamentary process with presidential consent. The constitution outlines the methods for its own amendment, as described in Article 11 and Article 89.
The French Constitution has played a pivotal role in shaping the country's governance. It establishes a semi-presidential system, with a president and a prime minister. The constitution also sets out core principles, including social welfare, laïcité (separation of church and state), democracy, and indivisibility. These principles are enshrined in the constitution's preamble, recalling the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen from 1789. The constitution also emphasises the importance of "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" as the maxim of the Republic.
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It outlines the principles of the French Republic, including social welfare, democracy, and indivisibility
The current French Constitution, adopted on 4 October 1958, is officially titled the Constitution of the Fifth Republic (French: la Constitution de la Cinquième République). It outlines the principles of the French Republic, including social welfare, democracy, and indivisibility.
The Constitution of the Fifth Republic replaced the Constitution of the Fourth Republic of 1946, with the exception of the preamble per a 1971 decision of the Constitutional Council. The current Constitution regards the separation of church and state, democracy, social welfare, and indivisibility as core principles of the French state. The preamble of the constitution recalls the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen from 1789 and establishes France as a secular and democratic country, deriving its sovereignty from the people. The Constitution also sets out methods for its own amendment, either through a referendum (Article 11) or a parliamentary process with presidential consent.
Social welfare, as outlined in the French Constitution, ensures that all individuals have access to free public services and assistance when needed. This principle guarantees that everyone in France has the right to essential social services and support during times of hardship. Laïcité, or the separation of church and state, is another key principle. This concept protects freedom of religion and ensures that religious institutions do not influence state affairs.
Democracy, as enshrined in the Constitution, establishes that the Parliament and the Government are elected by the people. This principle guarantees the right of French citizens to elect their representatives and participate in the political process. Indivisibility, another core principle, asserts that the French people are united as a single sovereign nation with one language, French, and that all citizens are equal. This principle promotes national unity and equality among the diverse population of France.
The French Constitution has been amended twenty-five times since its inception, with notable revisions in 2008 and most recently in 2024. These amendments reflect the evolving nature of the Constitution and the country's commitment to adapting its foundational principles to meet the changing needs of its citizens.
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It establishes a semi-presidential system of government
The current French Constitution, also known as the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, was adopted on 4 October 1958. It has been amended 24 or 25 times, most recently in 2024.
The Constitution establishes a semi-presidential system of government. This system has two competing interpretations. The first interpretation views the executive branch as comprising both a President of the Republic and a Prime Minister. This is a common feature of parliamentary systems, where the President is symbolic, and the Prime Minister directs the government. This interpretation is supported by Articles 5 and 21 of the Constitution, which state that the President is a guardian of the state and the Constitution, while the Prime Minister decides on the government's actions and policies.
The second interpretation considers the parliament to be relatively weak for a parliamentary system. According to Article 34, while some domains are exclusive to parliamentary legislation, the remaining domains are left to the executive's regulations.
The Constitution also outlines methods for its own amendment. Amendments can be made via a referendum (Article 11) or through a parliamentary process with presidential consent. Normally, an amendment must be adopted identically by both houses of parliament and then approved by a simple majority in a referendum or a three-fifths supermajority of the French Congress (Article 89).
The Constitution sets out the principles of the French Republic, including social welfare, laïcité (separation of church and state), democracy, and indivisibility. It also establishes the French state's power division into legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The legislative power is vested in a bicameral parliament, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate, with members directly elected by the people.
The Constitution further emphasizes the importance of suffrage, stating that it shall be universal, equal, and secret. It guarantees the right to vote for all French citizens of legal age, regardless of gender, who possess their civil and political rights.
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Frequently asked questions
The current French constitution is typically called the Constitution of the Fifth Republic.
The Constitution of the Fifth Republic was adopted on October 4, 1958.
The previous French constitution was the Constitution of the Fourth Republic, established in 1946.
The core principles of the current French constitution include the separation of church and state, democracy, social welfare, and indivisibility.
The current French constitution has been amended 25 times, most recently in 2024.
