The French Parliament narrowly passed Monday President Nicolas Sarkozy's constitutional reform plan that he pledged would strengthen the country's traditionally weak parliament.
At a special congress of deputies and senators, of 906 eligible lawmakers, 905 voted with 896 counted after abstentions and spoilt papers. 539 voted for the project, 357 against. Under constitutional rules, Sarkozy needed three-fifths, or 538, to reach the winning post.
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 and allows parliament to set its own agenda.
The bill also allows the president to address parliament directly, something the French head of state has been barred from doing since 1875 to ensure the executive and legislative are kept separate.
"This is a victory for French democracy. I'm absolutely delighted," Sarkozy told reporters in Dublin, where he was visiting for talks on the European Union reform treaty.
The Socialists, however, criticized the lack of any statutory right of reply for the opposition to televised appearances by the president and were angry that the bill did not reform the voting system for the Senate.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article