2023-10-04 14:55:44
Evolve while remaining “stable”. Before the Constitutional Council, Emmanuel Macron praised the “stability” of the 1958 Constitution, which is celebrating its 65th anniversary, the founding text of the institutions of the Republic. “The Constitution has become the most stable in our history,” declares Emmanuel Macron. Its spirit draws its source from the essential principles defined by three words: transmission, revolution and action.”
Before him, Laurent Fabius, president of the institution, had also defended its importance. “A Constitution holds us together,” insisted the former Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
No “emotional” reform
The Constitution “deserves to be revised”, announced Emmanuel Macron, but “not under the influence of emotion, nor to respond to fashions”.
“Faced with the challenges of time, the Constitution cannot do everything,” warns Emmanuel Macron, as voices are raised to facilitate the cumbersome procedure of the referendum.
Shared initiative referendum
This is the main announcement of his speech. The Head of State wishes to “simplify” the Shared Initiative Referendum (RIP) procedure. “Its scope must be broadened” as is the case with the presidential initiative referendum. The RIP makes it possible to force the government to consult the French on questions, as the left has demanded on pension reform. But the mechanism, complex and difficult to read, is little used. “Important areas of the Nation today escape Article 11 (which allows any bill to be submitted to referendum),” he regrets.
However, he warns against its effectiveness. The Constitution “deserves to be revised” but “not under the influence of emotion or to respond to fashions”. “Faced with the challenges of time, the Constitution cannot do everything,” believes Emmanuel Macron.
The right to abortion
The right to abortion must be enshrined in the Constitution “as soon as possible”, underlines Emmanuel Macron. He had already expressed his wish during the national tribute to Gisèle Halimi, the feminist lawyer who fought for the legalization of abortion, on March 8, 2023. “I hope that this work of bringing the dots together of view (between the National Assembly and the Senate) resumes to be concluded as soon as possible,” he said this Wednesday. This work would lead to a “Congress at Versailles”.
The inclusion of climate protection is a recurring request from environmental activists. Emmanuel Macron was less precise on this subject, simply declaring “that with or without constitutional mention, let us act with ambition and unity”.
The future of Corsica and New Caledonia
“The future of New Caledonia requires a common path which will undoubtedly require a constitutional revision,” believes Emmanuel Macron. Following the three self-determination referendums which rejected independence, the process of decolonization of this territory will continue with a change of status in the Constitution.
Currently, the French State exercises sovereign powers (justice, defense, public order, currency and foreign affairs). Other subjects (right to employment, taxation, professional training, etc.) are managed by the local government, a collegial executive composed of 11 members, elected proportionally by Congress. This atypical institution established a consensual, non-majority democracy in New Caledonia.
Concerning Corsica, Emmanuel Macron had already taken a step towards a form of autonomy on September 28, during a three-day visit to the island. This Wednesday, he simply mentioned a “form of autonomy in the Republic”, “depending on what the political forces will be able to achieve”. A constitutional text, which must be the subject of consensus within the Corsican Assembly, will be submitted to its vote “within six months”, i.e. March 2024.
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