Michel Debré et al.

“ A change of the status of a member State of the Community may be requested either by the Republic, or by a resolution of the legislative assembly of the State concerned, confirmed by a local referendum, organized and supervised by the institutions of the Community. The methods by which the change of status is made are determined by an agreement approved by the Parliament of the Republic and the legislative assembly concerned. In the same manner, a member State of the Community may become independent. ”

“ Organic laws relating to the Senate must be passed in the same terms by both assemblies. Organic laws may be promulgated only when the Constitutional Council has certified their conformity with the Constitution. Article 47. An organic law lays down the conditions in which Parliament votes Finance Bills. If the National Assembly has not concluded its first reading within forty days from the introduction of the Bill, the Government sends the Bill to the Senate, which must reach a decision within a fortnight. Subsequent procedure is that provided for in Article 45. ”

“ The President of the Republic is the protector of the independence of the judicial authority. He is assisted by the Higher Council of the Judiciary. An organic law regulates the position of the Judiciary. ”

“ National sovereignty belongs to the people, who exercise it through their representatives and by way of referendum. No section of the people and no individual may claim to exercise it. The suffrage may be direct or indirect in conditions provided for by the Constitution. ”

“ No member of Parliament may be prosecuted, sought out, arrested, held in custody or tried on account of opinions expressed or votes cast by him in the exercise of his functions. No member of Parliament may be prosecuted or arrested on account of any crime or misdemeanour during a parliamentary session, without the consent of the Assembly of which he is a member, except when the member is arrested in flagrante delicto. ”

“ Overseas Territories may keep their status within the Republic. If they express the desire to do so, by a decision of their Territorial Assembly, within the period fixed by Article 91, para. 1, they become either Overseas departements or, grouped together or separately, member States of the Community. Title XII: The Community Article 77. In the Community established by the present Constitution, the States enjoy autonomy; they administer themselves and manage their own affairs, freely and democratically. There is in the Community only one citizenship. ”

“ All citizens are equal before the law, whatever their origin, race or religion. They have the same duties. Article 78. The field of competence of the Community includes foreign policy, defence, currency, common economic and financial policy and policy concerning strategic raw materials. It also includes, in the absence of a special agreement to the contrary, supervision of justice, higher education, the general organization of external and common transport, and telecommunications. ”

“ If, in the course of legislative procedure, it becomes apparent that a private members' proposal or amendment does not fall within the field of law-making, or is in conflict with powers delegated by virtue of Article 38, the Government may demand that it be declared out of order. ”

“ An organic law lays down the organization and methods of working of the Constitutional Council, the procedures to be followed in referring matters to it and in particular the time-limits within which disputes may be laid before it. ”

“ A provision declared unconstitutional may not be promulgated or applied. Decisions of the Constitutional Council are not subject to appeal. They are binding on public authorities and on all administrative and judicial authorities. ”