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What can be brought to a referendum?

France

France

Answer
Both constitutional and other issues
Source

CONSTITUTION OFFRANCE

(Adopted1958; last amended 2008)

http://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/conseil-constitutionnel/root/bank_mm/anglais/constiution_anglais_oct2009.pdf

 

ARTICLE 11 (Optional referendum)

The President of the Republic may, on a recommendationfrom the Government when Parliament is in session, or on a joint motion of thetwo Houses, published in the Journal Officiel, submit to a referendum anyGovernment Bill which deals with the organization of the public authorities, orwith reforms relating to the economic or social policy of the Nation, and tothe public services contributing thereto, or which provides for authorizationto ratify a treaty which, although not contrary to the Constitution, wouldaffect the functioning of the institutions.

 

Where the referendum is held on therecommendation of the Government, the latter shall make a statement before eachHouse and the same shall be followed by a debate.

ARTICLE 88-5. (Mandatory referendum)

Any Government Bill authorizing the ratification of atreaty pertaining to the accession of a state to the European Union and to theEuropean Communities shall be submitted to referendum by the President of theRepublic.

 

Notwithstandingthe foregoing, by passing a motion adopted in identical terms in each House bya three-fifths majority, Parliament may authorize the passing of the Billaccording to the procedure provided for in paragraph three of article 89.

 

ARTICLE 89. (Mandatory referendum)

The President of the Republic, on the recommendationof the Prime Minister, and Members of Parliament alike shall have the right toinitiate amendments to the Constitution.

 

A Government or a Private Member’s Bill to amend theConstitution must be considered within the time limits set down in the thirdparagraph of article 42 and be passed by the two Houses in identical terms. The amendment shall take effectafter approval by referendum.

 

However, a Government Bill to amend theConstitution shall not be submitted to referendum where the President of theRepublic decides to submit it to Parliament convened in Congress; theGovernment Bill to amend the Constitution shall then be approved only if it ispassed by a three-fifths majority of the votes cast. The Bureau of the Congressshall be that of the National Assembly.
Comment

Constitutional Amendments: Article 89
Other issues: Articles 11, 88-5

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