Article 75

The opinion of the Constitutional Council must be substantiated. They must be respected by all public authorities unless they concern the issues stipulated in paragraph 3 of article 72 of the Constitution.

The President of the Republic sends to the Chamber of Deputies and to the Chamber of Advisors the bills examined by the Constitutional Council, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 73 of the constitution, along with a copy of the opinion of the Constitutional Council.

The President of the Republic sends to the Chamber of Deputies a copy of the opinion of the Constitutional Council in the cases provided for in paragraph 2 of article 73 and paragraph 1 of article 74 of the constitution.

The decisions of the Constitutional Council in matters concerning elections are final and may not be appealed.

The Constitutional Council is composed of nine members having a confirmed competence, irrespective of the age. Four of them, including the president, are appointed by the President of the Republic, and two by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, for a period of 3 years renewable twice. Three members are appointed in their capacity : the first president of the Court of Cassation, the first president of the Administrative Court and the first president of the Audit Office.

The members of the Constitutional Council may not exercise governmental or parliamentary functions. Nor may they hold positions of political or trade union responsibility, or be involved in activities which might compromise their impartiality or independence. When necessary, the law defines the other cases of non-plurality of offices.

In addition, the law defines the guarantees provided for the members of the Constitutional Council which are necessary for the discharge of their functions, as well as the rules of functioning and the procedures of the Constitutional Council.

 

CHAPTER X

Article 76

The initiative to amend the Constitution may be taken by the President of the Republic or by no less than one-third of the members of the Chamber of Deputies, provided the amendment does not undermine the republican form of the State.

The President of the Republic may put to a referendum proposals for revision of the Constitution.

Article 77

The Chamber of Deputies studies the proposed revision following a resolution adopted by absolute majority, after identification of the purpose of the amendment and its study by an ad hoc committee.

In case of non-recourse to referendum, the draft amendment of the Constitution shall be adopted by the Chamber of Deputies by a two-thirds majority upon two readings; the second reading takes place at least three months after the first.

In case of recourse to referendum, the President of the Republic submits the draft amendment of the Constitution to the people after it has been adopted by an absolute majority of the Chamber of Deputies upon a single reading.

Article 78

The President of the Republic shall promulgate, in the form of a constitutional law, the law amending the Constitution adopted by the Chamber of Deputies, in accordance with article 52 of the Constitution.

The President of the Republic shall promulgate, in the form of a constitutional law, the law amending the Constitution which has been approved by the people, within a maximum period of two weeks following the date on which the results of the referendum are announced.

The Electoral Code defines the modalities related to the holding of the referendum and the announcement of the results.