It means France is in better shape than Belgium at the moment. >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. >_______________________________________________ >pen-l mailing list >[email protected] >https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l > >
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