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France backs constitution reform | France backs constitution reform |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Parliamentarians in France have approved plans by President Nicolas Sarkozy to rewrite the constitution - by the slimmest of margins. | Parliamentarians in France have approved plans by President Nicolas Sarkozy to rewrite the constitution - by the slimmest of margins. |
The bill was backed by 539 votes to 357 - one vote more than the three-fifths majority of the combined Assembly and Senate required to pass the reforms. | The bill was backed by 539 votes to 357 - one vote more than the three-fifths majority of the combined Assembly and Senate required to pass the reforms. |
The reforms will strengthen France's parliament, Mr Sarkozy says, by allowing it to set half its agenda. | |
It also limits the president to two five-year terms in office. | |
But the opposition says the reforms will turn the country into a "monocracy". Socialists suggest the new bill will be the equivalent of crowning Mr Sarkozy king. | |
It is French democracy that has won French President Nicolas Sarkozy | It is French democracy that has won French President Nicolas Sarkozy |
"While we were hoping for progress for democracy, you are offering us consolidation of 'monocracy'," Socialist senator Bernard Frimat told lawmakers before the vote at a special session at the Chateau of Versailles. | "While we were hoping for progress for democracy, you are offering us consolidation of 'monocracy'," Socialist senator Bernard Frimat told lawmakers before the vote at a special session at the Chateau of Versailles. |
The reform bill represents the biggest shake-up in the way France is run since the constitution was introduced by Charles de Gaulle in 1958, observers say. | The reform bill represents the biggest shake-up in the way France is run since the constitution was introduced by Charles de Gaulle in 1958, observers say. |
The vote is a victory for President Sarkozy who made overhauling France's Constitution one of his key election pledges, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says. | The vote is a victory for President Sarkozy who made overhauling France's Constitution one of his key election pledges, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says. |
'Movement, change, modernity' | 'Movement, change, modernity' |
Mr Sarkozy, while on a trip to Dublin to discuss the future of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, hailed the news that his reforms had passed. | Mr Sarkozy, while on a trip to Dublin to discuss the future of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, hailed the news that his reforms had passed. |
President Sarkozy said he was "absolutely delighted" by the outcome | President Sarkozy said he was "absolutely delighted" by the outcome |
"It is French democracy that has won," he said. | "It is French democracy that has won," he said. |
"The camp of movement, change, modernity has won over the camp of immobility, of rigidity, of sectarianism." | "The camp of movement, change, modernity has won over the camp of immobility, of rigidity, of sectarianism." |
The most contentious part of the bill has been a plan to allow the president to address parliament, opening up the possibility of a US State of the Union-style address. | The most contentious part of the bill has been a plan to allow the president to address parliament, opening up the possibility of a US State of the Union-style address. |
That has not been permitted since 1875, in an attempt to keep the executive and legislative branches separate. | That has not been permitted since 1875, in an attempt to keep the executive and legislative branches separate. |
Late concessions | Late concessions |
Mr Sarkozy, however, says the measures will actually strengthen parliament and make the president more accountable. | Mr Sarkozy, however, says the measures will actually strengthen parliament and make the president more accountable. |
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. | 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. |
The bill was dependent on cross-party support, leaving the outcome unclear right up to the vote. | The bill was dependent on cross-party support, leaving the outcome unclear right up to the vote. |
Mr Sarkozy spent the weekend on a break with his wife Carla Bruni in Morocco, but was reported to have been calling France frequently to try to consolidate support for the moves. | Mr Sarkozy spent the weekend on a break with his wife Carla Bruni in Morocco, but was reported to have been calling France frequently to try to consolidate support for the moves. |
Last-minute concessions failed to win the support of the opposition Socialists, the Greens and the Communists, who all said they would vote against. | Last-minute concessions failed to win the support of the opposition Socialists, the Greens and the Communists, who all said they would vote against. |
Nevertheless, the bill achieved the 538 votes needed, with one to spare. | Nevertheless, the bill achieved the 538 votes needed, with one to spare. |