Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Sarkozy 's Reform Bill Passes By a Hair

Move to rewrite French constitution has critics crying 'monocracy!'

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2008 9:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – French President Nicolas Sarkozy hailed the passing yesterday of a constitutional reform, fulfilling a key campaign pledge. The overhaul of parliamentary and executive powers passed in the assembly and senate by a single vote, capturing 539 votes when it needed 538, the BBC reports. The opposition says the change will solidify France as a "monocracy" for Sarkozy.

The reforms allow parliament to set half its agenda and veto presidential appointments, and limit presidents to two 5-year terms. "It is French democracy that has won," Sarkozy said from Dublin, where he was meeting with leaders to discuss the Lisbon Treaty. "The camp of movement, change, modernity has won over the camp of immobility, of rigidity, of sectarianism."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, is seen between Republican Guard soldiers during Bastille day ceremonies in Paris, Monday July 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)

President of French National Assembly Bernard Accoyer arrives at the Versailles Palace, Monday, July 21, 2008 for the vote on President Nicolas Sarkozy's plans to rewrite the constitution. (AP Photo/Thomas Coex, Pool)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy gets into his car as he leaves the Government Building in Dublin, Monday, July 21, 2008, following his meeting with Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Sarkozy Unveils 'Robin Hood' Tax

Financial transactions to be taxed starting this summer

(NEWSER) - With the French presidential election just three months away, Nicolas Sarkozy took to the airwaves last night to tell voters about a tax hike. The president announced a sales tax rise from 19.6% to 21.2% and a new "Robin Hood" tax on financial transactions, the BBC reports. Sarkozy said he wants to "create a shockwave" with the 0.1% levy and he hopes other European countries will soon follow his lead. More»

France Toughens Citizenship Gauntlet

Now citizens must pass test of language, 'values'

(NEWSER) - Bad news, Francophiles: It just became harder to become French. Nicolas Sarkozy’s government has just thrown up some tough new hurdles for would-be French citizens, requiring them to pass a difficult language test (foreigners will need to speak French at the level of a French 15-year-old) and swear allegiance to "French values," the Los Angeles Times reports. The new rules, which went into effect on Jan. 1, also forbid the new citizens from claiming “allegiance to another country while on French soil,” though dual nationality is still permitted. More»

Snub? Sarkozy, Cameron Have Handshake Fail

Even body language is under scrutiny at euro summit

(NEWSER) - Britain's Daily Mail is calling it "Le Snub!": Reading much (maybe too much?) into the body language of Nicolas Sarkozy and David Cameron, it says the French president dissed the UK prime minister by blowing off Cameron's handshake at today's high-stakes European Union summit. (Britain isn't going along with the French-backed pact.) The Telegraph isn't so sure about it being a snub, noting that the men had shaken hands a bit earlier—but it's still happy to play up the video posing the question. See for yourself. More»

Sarkozy: Change—or Kiss Eurozone Goodbye

At odds with Germany over ECB, deflation, budget enforcement

(NEWSER) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday called for changing the eurozone treaty to make a tighter, stronger union, and demanded more budget discipline, increased help for foundering economies, and replacing countries' veto rights with qualified majorities, reports Reuters . He also called for the European Central Bank to be more interventionist and fight possible deflation. "Let us not hide it, Europe may be swept away by the crisis if it doesn't get a grip, if it doesn't change," he warned. "We don't have the right to let such a disaster happen." More»

France, Germany Discussing Pared Down Euro Zone

Controversial plan means some countries would be out

(NEWSER) - German and French officials have had “intense consultation” at “all levels” in recent months about the possibility of slimming down the euro zone to its strongest members, and then more closely integrating the fiscal policies of those countries, sources tell Reuters . “You’ll still call it the euro, but it will be fewer countries,” one German official explained. “We won’t be able to speak with one voice and make tough decisions in the euro zone as it is today.” More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Sarkozy 's Reform Bill Passes By a Hair

Move to rewrite French constitution has critics crying 'monocracy!'

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Nicolas Sarkozy • France • constitution • political reform • executive power

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Sarkozy Unveils 'Robin Hood' Tax

Financial transactions to be taxed starting this summer

France Toughens Citizenship Gauntlet

Now citizens must pass test of language, 'values'

Snub? Sarkozy, Cameron Have Handshake Fail

Even body language is under scrutiny at euro summit

Sarkozy: Change—or Kiss Eurozone Goodbye

At odds with Germany over ECB, deflation, budget enforcement

France, Germany Discussing Pared Down Euro Zone

Controversial plan means some countries would be out

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Sarkozy 's Reform Bill Passes By a Hair

Move to rewrite French constitution has critics crying 'monocracy!'

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Nicolas Sarkozy • France • constitution • political reform • executive power

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Sarkozy Unveils 'Robin Hood' Tax

Financial transactions to be taxed starting this summer

France Toughens Citizenship Gauntlet

Now citizens must pass test of language, 'values'

Snub? Sarkozy, Cameron Have Handshake Fail

Even body language is under scrutiny at euro summit

Sarkozy: Change—or Kiss Eurozone Goodbye

At odds with Germany over ECB, deflation, budget enforcement

France, Germany Discussing Pared Down Euro Zone

Controversial plan means some countries would be out

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?