Constitution of France

The current Constitution of France was adopted on October 4, 1958, and has been amended 17 times, most recently on October 2, 2000. 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.

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.

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:

• A liberal monarchical constitution was adopted October 6, 1789 and accepted by king July 14, 1790.
• The Constitution of 1791 or Constitution of September 3, 1791 established a limited monarchy and the Legislative Assembly.
• The Constitution of 1793 or Constitution of June 24, 1793 (Fr. Acte constitutionnel du 24 juin 1793, or Montagnard Constitution (Fr. Constitution montagnarde) was ratified, but never applied, due to the suspension of all ordinary legality October 10, 1793.
• The Constitution of 1795, Constitution of August 22, 1795, Constitution of the Year III, or Constitution of 5 Fructidor established the Directory.
• The Constitution of the Year VIII, adopted December 24, 1799, established the Consulate.
• The Constitution of the Year X established a revised Consulate, with Napoleon as First Consul for Life.
• The Constitution of the Year XII established the First French Empire.

There have been numerous other constitutions since.

See Also

• Politics of France
• Second Republic
• French Third Republic

External links

• French Text - Constitutional Council
• English Text - National Assembly