Article 49.3 of the French Constitution

from Calixte Bloquet

DOI: 10.36206/BP2023.03.enu

Article 49.3 of the French constitution allows the government to approve bills without the National Assembly having to give its consent - a provision that has been the subject of repeated comment. Originally rarely used, the article was used remarkably often last year and also received widespread media coverage as it was used to have a highly controversial pension reform adopted in spring 2023. This Focus looks at the process and genesis of this article and its use to date by different French governments. It asks why this article has gained so much relevance since last year's elections and what risks it poses to parliamentary democracy.