5. Frequently asked questions

How does the Conseil constitutionnel work and what is its role?

The Constitutional Council was established by the Constitution of the Fifth Republic on October 4, 1958. It is made up of nine members, appointed for non-renewable nine-year terms by the President of the Republic and the President of each parliamentary assembly (Senate and National Assembly) respectively. Former Presidents of the Republic are automatically members of the Constitutional Council for life, provided they do not hold a position incompatible with their mandate as a member of the Council, in which case they may not sit on the Council.

It exercises its control after the vote by Parliament, but before the law is promulgated. Referral to the Committee is optional, and can be initiated either by a political authority (President of the Republic, Prime Minister, President...