President Nicolas Sarkozy of France won approval for important constitutional changes on Monday, but by a very narrow margin. The changes, Sarkozy insisted, strengthen the power of Parliament and will make the president more accountable. But his critics, including the main opposition party, the Socialists, said they would increase the power of the already semiroyal president, creating a "monocracy."
Meeting in the chateau of Versailles, French lawmakers approved Sarkozy's proposals by 539 votes to 357, one vote more than the three-fifths majority required. To win, Sarkozy needed support from other parties; a defeat would have damaged his standing a little more than a year into his five-year term.
The changes limit the presidency to two five-year terms, eliminate the president's power to issue collective pardons and make certain appointments subject to parliamentary approval. Parliament must be informed within three days of any military operation abroad and must approve one lasting more than four months. The changes give Parliament more control over its agenda and limit the right of presidential decree.
The amendments also allow the president to address Parliament in an American-style "state of the union" speech. Since 1875, to preserve a strict separation of presidency and legislature, such a speech has been banned.
In the future, the Parliament, by a vote of three-fifths, can authorize the president to ratify a European Union enlargement either through a referendum or through a parliamentary vote. But if the president does not get this authorization, a referendum will be required.
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