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The current '''Constitution of ]''' was adopted on ], ], and has been amended 17 times, most recently on ], ]. It is typically called the ] of the ], and replaced that of the ] dating from ], ]. ] was its main instigator; the constitution was drafted by ]. The current '''Constitution of ]''' was adopted on ], ], and has been amended 17 times, most recently on ], ]. It is typically called the ] of the ], and replaced that of the ] dating from ], ]. ] was its main instigator; the constitution was drafted by ].


It recalls the ] from ] and establishes France as a ] and ] ], deriving its ] from the people. It recalls the ] from ] and establishes France as a ] and ] ], deriving its ] from the people.

Revision as of 04:31, 13 February 2005

The current Constitution of France was adopted on October 4, 1958, and has been amended 17 times, most recently on March 28, 2003. It is typically called the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, and replaced that of the Fourth Republic dating from October 27, 1946. Charles de Gaulle was its main instigator; the constitution was drafted by Michel Debré.

It recalls the Declaration of the Rights of Man from 1789 and establishes France as a secular and democratic republic, deriving its sovereignty from the people.

It provides for the election of the President and the Parliament, the selection of the Government, and the powers of each and the relations between them. It ensures judicial authority and creates a High Court of Justice, a Constitutional Council, and an Economic and Social Council. It was designed to create a politically strong President.

It enables the ratification of international treaties and those associated with the European Union. It is unclear whether the wording (especially the reserves of reciprocity) is compatible with European Union law.

The Constitution also sets out methods for its own amendment either by referendum or through a Parliamentary process with Presidential consent. The normal procedure of constitutional amendment is as follows: the amendment must be adopted in identical terms by both houses of Parliament, then must be either adopted by a simple majority in a referendum, either by 3/5 of the congress of both houses of Parliament (article 89). However, president Charles de Gaulle bypassed the legislative procedure in 1962 and directly sent a constitutional amendment to a referendum (article 11), which was adopted. This was highly controversial at the time; however, the Constitutional Council ruled that since a referendum expressed the will of the sovereign people, the amendment was adopted.

Past constitutions

France has had numerous past constitutions.

The ancien régime was an absolute monarchy and lacked a formal constitution; the régime essentially relied on custom. However, the Revolutionary Era saw a number of constitutions:

There have been several other constitutions since.

See also

External links

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