The French Constitution

France is a republic the institutions of g all overnance of France argon defined by theconstitution, more specifically by the current constitution, being that of the Fifth Republic. The temperament has been modified several times since the start of the Fifth Republic, most latterly in July 2008, when the french Congress (A Joint convention of the two put up of Parliament) approved by 1 vote over the 60% bulk required constitutional changes proposed by chairwoman Sarkozy.The Fifth Republic The 5th republic was established In 1958, and was largely the ork of General de Gaulle Its first president, and Michel Debr his acme minister. It has been amended 1 7 times. Though the French constitution Is parliamentary, It gave comparatively extensive powers to the executive (President and Ministers) compared to other western democracies. The executive branch The division of state and head of the executive is the President, elected by universal suffrage. Since whitethorn 201 2, Frances president is Franqois Hollande.Originally, a president of the Fifth Republic was elected for a 7-year term (le septennat), renewable any number of times. Since 2002 the President has been elected for a 5- year term (le quinquennat). Since the passing of the 2008 ingrained reform, the maximum number of foothold a president can serve has been limited to two. The President, who is also unequivocal commander of the military, determines insurance policy with the aid of his Council of Ministers (Conseil des ministres). The residence of the President of the French Republic is the Elyse Palace (le palais de lElyse) in Paris.The President appoints a strand minister (currently 2012 Jean-Marc Ayrault) , who forms a political relation. The residence of the French Prime Minister is at Matignon House (lHtel Matignon) in Paris. In theory ministers are chosen by the PM in practice unless the President and the PM are from dfferent sides of the political spectrum (a form known as la cohabit ation), PM and president prune together to form a government. The President must approve the naming of government ministers.The cabinet, le Consen des ministres, meets on a weekly basis, and Is presided over by the president. Ministers determine policy and put new legislation in front Parliament In the form of bills (projets de 101) wlthln the framework of existing police, hey apply policy through decrees (dcrets). The legislative branch The French parliament Is made up of two houses or chambers. The lower and principal house of parliament is the Assemble nationale, or national assembly the elected by universal suffrage, in general elections (lections lgislatives) that take place every five years.Senators are elected by grand electors, who are mostly other topical anaesthetic elected representatives. The electoral system for parliamentary elections involves two rounds a aspect can be elected on the first round by obtaining an absolute majority of votes cast. The second round i s a runoff amid two or more candidates, usually two.. The Judicial branch fleck the Minister of Justice, le Garde des Sceaux, has powers over the running of the Justice system and public prosecutors, the Judiciary is strongly independent of the executive and legislative branches.The authoritative handbook of French civil law is theCode Civil. Promulgation of laws New bills (projets de lot), proposed by government, and new pivate members bills (propositions de lot) must be approved by both chambers, in the beginning becoming law. However, by virtue of Article 49. of the French constitution, a government can override parliamentary opposition and pass a law without a parilimentary vote. This does not happen frequently, and in the framework of constitutional amendments, president Sarkozy curtailed the possibility of using 49. . Laws and decrees are promulgated when the official text is publish in the Official Journal of the French Republic, le Journal Officiel. The Constitutional Co uncil The Constitutional Council , le Conseil constitutionnel, exists to determine the constitutionality of new legislation or decrees. It has powers to collision down a bill efore it passes into law, if it is deemed unconstitutional, or to demand the withdrawal of decrees tear down after promulgation.The Council is made up of nine members, appointed (three each) by the President of the Republic, the leader of the National Assembly, and the leader of the Senate, plus all surviving precedent heads of state. Political parties In 2012, France is governed by the Socialist Party and allies..