France

France reforms constitution

Article published on the 2008-07-22 Latest update 2008-07-22 09:20 TU

The 576 deputies and 330 senators reunited in Versailles.
(Photo : AFP)

The French parliament has approved President Nicolas Sarkozy's constitutional reform which was passed at a special congress by a single vote. The reform package passed with 539 votes for and 357 against, which passed the required three-fifths majority by one vote. Meanwhile Sarkozy is in Ireland, seeking to resurrect the Lisbon Treaty as holder of the European Union presidency.

Only one opposition Socialist voted in favour of the reform - the former Culture Minister, Jack Lang, whose support proved decisive.

Sarkozy claims the reforms will strengthen France's parliament, by allowing it to set half its agenda and limiting the president to two five-year terms in office.

However the opposition says the reforms will turn the country into a "monocracy."

The bill sets a two-term limit for presidents, gives parliament a veto over some presidential appointments, ends government control over parliament's committee system and allows parliament to set its own agenda.

The French President broke off from a press conference on his Dublin visit to vow an acceleration in the pace of his reform plans.

"It's not one camp winning against another...it is French democracy that has won," the president said.

Sarkozy argued that his reform of the constitution brought in by president Charles de Gaulle in 1958 would make the head of state more accountable to lawmakers and to the public.

The Socialists disagreed, warning that the reforms were the equivalent of crowning Sarkozy king. This made the fact that the vote of one of their own had passed the reform, that much more difficult to swallow.

Fissures are already begining to surface: Socialist spokesperson Julien Dray said that Jack Lang "has no place in our political family." To which the former minister responded that no one can erase him from French polical life.

"There are three landmarks that guide me: my left ideals, my conscience and the confidence people have in me," Lang said.