[Pen-l] France

["Jim Devine" <jdevine03@xxxxxxxxx>]

does anyone know what all of this signifies?

Key points in France's biggest constitutional reform plan in 50 years
The Associated Press
Published: July 21, 2008

France's two houses of parliament meet in a special joint session
Monday to vote on the most sweeping changes to the constitution in 50
years. Here are some key proposed changes in the plan, championed by
President Nicolas Sarkozy:

PRESIDENT

_Allows the president to appear before parliament for the first time,
in a speech similar to the State of the Union address in the United
States.

_Limits presidents to two five-year terms.

PARLIAMENT

_Requires the president to inform parliament of any troop deployment
overseas, and requires parliament's approval for any deployment of
over four months.

_Allows parliamentary commissions to veto major presidential appointments.

_Limits the government's powers to push through legislation without a
vote in the event of stalemate.

_Creates legislative seats to represent French voters living abroad.

_Grants a greater role in parliament to opposition and minority parties.

PEOPLE

_Requires a voter referendum to approve EU membership for any new
states, such as Turkey. The requirement could be waived on a
case-by-case basis by a three-fifths majority vote in parliament.

_Creates the post of an independent "citizens' rights defender." Any
citizen who feels wronged by French administration could appeal to
this defender.

_Allows any citizen on trial to formally question the constitutionality of laws.

_Recognizes equal access for women and men to the work force.

_Recognizes regional languages as part of France's cultural heritage.

-- 
Jim Devine / "Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your own
way and let people talk.) -- Karl, paraphrasing Dante.
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