5.4. Prominent Features of the French Constitution

♤ Organic Law: An organic or fundamental law is one that forms the foundation of a government or organization. A Constitution is a particular form of organic law for a sovereign state. The French Constitution has certain laws mentioned as organic laws. Laws made by the Parliament and the orders of the Executive must confirm to the Organic laws. So these laws have to be reviewed by a body known as the Constitutional Council. It has 9 members – three are representatives of the President, three are representatives of the French National Assembly, and the remaining three are representatives of the Senate.

♤ High Council of Justice: The purpose is the nomination of the judges. This body is headed by the President and the members of the Judiciary. The President is also known as the ‘guardian of Judiciary’.

♤ Economic and Social Council: Constitutional advisory body on social and economic issues.

♤ Secularism: France follows the rigid principle of secularism unlike Indian secularism which respects all religions equally. The French model of secularism follows the principle of strict separation of Church and State, freedom of conscience and freedom to exercise any faith. The state does not support religious activities but also not interfere in private religious practices. It prohibits any visible religious symbols in public space. This model leaves no scope for the idea of the state-supported religious reforms.