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| Europe |
| Sarkozy Wins Major Changes To French Constitution By 1 Vote |
| 2008-07-22 |
| President Nicolas Sarkozy's risky bid to rewrite France's political rules with sweeping constitutional changes worked -- but just barely -- with both houses of parliament meeting in special session Monday to pass the measures by a single vote. Fear of failure was brewing even before nearly 900 lawmakers took their seats at the Chateau of Versailles. The slim passage reflected the controversy over the reform, vehemently rejected by opposition leftists. Even within the conservative presidential camp there was disagreement, and six of those lawmakers voted against the revision. Expectations of a close vote were so great that officials decided to hold a separate manual count in addition to the standard electronic one. Sarkozy, who faced substantial humiliation had the vote failed, hailed the results of the vote from Dublin, where he was on a rescue mission to try to save the European Union Treaty after a resounding "no" vote from the Irish. "Once again, the camp of movement, change, modernity has won over the camp of immobilism, of rigidity, of sectarianism," Sarkozy said. Sarkozy was saved by a few last-minute defections, including one notable Socialist, former Education Minister Jack Lang, who risked being shunned by his party for helping the reform to pass. In the end, lawmakers voted in favor of the constitutional reform 539 to 357 -- one vote more than the 538 needed to pass. Any constitutional revision needs approval by a three-fifths majority. This revision of the French Constitution is the 24th since the start of the Fifth Republic a half-century ago but the most sweeping. All previous changes passed comfortably. 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. 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 deployment lasting more than four months. Citizens, too, gain a larger voice. Any citizen who feels wronged by the French administration can appeal to a new, independent citizens' rights defender. A key measure of the constitutional revision could also require French voters to approve membership of future EU entrants, such as Turkey. Voters in France generally oppose Turkish membership. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #5 Oooooh, addressing both houses of congress at once! That will really change things over there. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-07-22 17:07 |
| #4 Not |
| Posted by: Perfesser 2008-07-22 11:33 |
| #3 "...the camp of movement, change, modernity has won over the camp of immobilism, of rigidity, of sectarianism," Sounds like the Obamessiah. |
| Posted by: Spot 2008-07-22 10:20 |
| #2 "I can see this being ripe for abuse by the Muslims." That and 99% of other things . |
| Posted by: Mad Eye 2008-07-22 10:19 |
| #1 Any citizen who feels wronged by the French administration can appeal to a new, independent citizens' rights defender. Cirizen. Hmm, does that apply to all those muslims living there, are the citizens or are they "immigrants" not yet citizens? I can see this being ripe for abuse by the Muslims. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-07-22 10:13 |
