Home > 5.1.2 Referendum requested by an authority > FRANCE - Extracts of the Constitution
 
 
 
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Article 89
 

The President of the Republic, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, and Members of Parliament alike shall have the right to initiate amendments to the Constitution.


A Government or a Private Member's Bill to amend the Constitution must be considered within the time limits set down in the third paragraph of article 42 and be passed by the two Houses in identical terms. The amendment shall take effect after approval by referendum.


 


However, a Government Bill to amend the Constitution shall not be submitted to referendum where the President of the Republic decides to submit it to Parliament convened in Congress; the Government Bill to amend the Constitution shall then be approved only if it is passed by a three-fifths majority of the votes cast. The Bureau of the Congress shall be that of the National Assembly.


 


No amendment procedure shall be commenced or continued where the integrity of national territory is placed in jeopardy.


 


The republican form of government shall not be the object of any amendment.