VERSAILLES, France: French lawmakers voted Monday in favor of a sweeping revision of France's constitution -- but by a one-vote margin that highlights the controversy behind the vote. The changes give parliament greater power but also add privilege to the presidency. The reform was a political hot potato for President Nicolas Sarkozy, but the thin win -- 539 votes for and 357 against -- saved him from humiliation. That is one vote more than the 538 needed to pass the changes. The vote by both houses of parliament was held in a special session at the Chateau of Versailles. Sarkozy's conservative party pressed for the reform right up until the vote.
VERSAILLES, France: French lawmakers voted Monday in favor of a sweeping revision of France's constitution -- but by a one-vote margin that highlights the controversy behind the vote.
The changes give parliament greater power but also add privilege to the presidency.
The reform was a political hot potato for President Nicolas Sarkozy, but the thin win -- 539 votes for and 357 against -- saved him from humiliation. That is one vote more than the 538 needed to pass the changes.
The vote by both houses of parliament was held in a special session at the Chateau of Versailles.
Sarkozy's conservative party pressed for the reform right up until the vote.
Parliamentarians in France have backed plans by President Nicolas Sarkozy to rewrite the country's constitution - by the slimmest of margins. The reform bill was backed by 539 votes to 357 - exactly the 60% majority of the combined Assembly and Senate required to pass the reforms. Mr Sarkozy says the reforms will strengthen France's parliament, which is often seen as weak. But Mr Sarkozy's critics say they will turn the country into a "monocracy".
Parliamentarians in France have backed plans by President Nicolas Sarkozy to rewrite the country's constitution - by the slimmest of margins.
The reform bill was backed by 539 votes to 357 - exactly the 60% majority of the combined Assembly and Senate required to pass the reforms.
Mr Sarkozy says the reforms will strengthen France's parliament, which is often seen as weak.
But Mr Sarkozy's critics say they will turn the country into a "monocracy".
Sarkozy victory as reforms are approved France's parliament on Monday approved by the narrowest possible margin one of the most significant packages of institutional reforms since the Fifth Republic was founded by General Charles de Gaulle in 1958. In a knife-edge vote in an extraordinary parliamentary session at Versailles, the necessary 60 per cent of France's senators and parliamentary deputies backed the controversial reforms intended to rebalance the executive and legislative branches of power. The vote is an important victory for President Nicolas Sarkozy, who had promised during last year's election campaign to update the country's constitution. The opposition Socialist party, as well as some members of Mr Sarkozy's own centre-right UMP party, had fiercely resisted the bill, arguing it did not go far enough. Mr Sarkozy, who had reportedly lobbied wavering parliamentarians by phone while on holiday, hailed the result as a triumph for the forces of movement over those of stagnation.
France's parliament on Monday approved by the narrowest possible margin one of the most significant packages of institutional reforms since the Fifth Republic was founded by General Charles de Gaulle in 1958.
In a knife-edge vote in an extraordinary parliamentary session at Versailles, the necessary 60 per cent of France's senators and parliamentary deputies backed the controversial reforms intended to rebalance the executive and legislative branches of power.
The vote is an important victory for President Nicolas Sarkozy, who had promised during last year's election campaign to update the country's constitution. The opposition Socialist party, as well as some members of Mr Sarkozy's own centre-right UMP party, had fiercely resisted the bill, arguing it did not go far enough.
Mr Sarkozy, who had reportedly lobbied wavering parliamentarians by phone while on holiday, hailed the result as a triumph for the forces of movement over those of stagnation.
And the narrative is thus fed. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
The reform gives parliament greater power but also adds a new privileges to France's already strong presidency, notably allowing the chief of state to address together the two houses of congress
Is that what has got them all bothered about this reform? That the president will be able to address both houses? That seems more symbolic than anything.
On the other hand, from this article, the reform does seem to constrain the president in some substantial ways:
However, it limits the president to two five-year terms. Parliament is now able to veto major presidential appointments and can reduce the government's ability to push through legislation without a vote. The presidency will also be required to inform parliament of any troop deployment overseas, and must win parliamentary authorization for any such deployment lasting more than four months.
Parliament is now able to veto major presidential appointments and can reduce the government's ability to push through legislation without a vote.
The presidency will also be required to inform parliament of any troop deployment overseas, and must win parliamentary authorization for any such deployment lasting more than four months.
What the "monocracy" are they talking about? ... all progress depends on the unreasonable mensch.(apologies to G.B. Shaw)
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, allows parliament to set its own agenda, and ends the president's right of collective pardon.
But wasn't it better that some of these "sweeping" reforms -- many of which the left has been advocating for a long time, according to this Liberation article -- were passed rather than none at all? ... all progress depends on the unreasonable mensch.(apologies to G.B. Shaw)
Lang should be ashamed of himself. "The womb that spawned that thing is fertile yet"
So it increases power for the president's henchmen, not realyl to an independent institution. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
