FRANCE:NICOLAS SARKOZY'S reformist credentials are on the line today as he battles to push through his flagship project: a rewrite of almost half the constitution in the biggest shake-up of the way France is run since Charles de Gaulle became president.
Mr Sarkozy spent the weekend in Marrakech but was constantly telephoning MPs and senators to canvass their support as today's vote on his constitutional reform hangs on a knife-edge.
The president, who came to power last year promising a cultural "revolution", has staked his reputation on overhauling the workings of the state. His opponents have called him a power-hungry "hyper-president" who seeks to dominate the stage, neutering the prime minister's role and seizing control of policy.
Mr Sarkozy has countered that he wants to make his mark as the man who redressed the balance of power, giving more weight to France's weak parliament.
In 1958 General de Gaulle, France's wartime hero, oversaw a new constitution affording the president sweeping powers that persist to this day. Parliament is so weak, in terms of setting its own agenda and holding the executive to account, that critics on the left have said that France is not a proper democracy.
Mr Sarkozy has said his changes would put an end to the way France was run by "clans". He said his reform would create an "exemplary democracy", giving parliament new functions to oversee appointments and to set its own agenda, while protecting citizens' rights. He would also limit the presidency to two terms.
In exchange, he wants the power to address parliament directly to defend his policies. Since 1873, France's president has been barred from appearing in person before the national assembly or senate in order to ensure the executive and legislative wings are kept separate.
MPs and senators will vote on the Bill today during a special congress at Versailles. But the Élysée is worried: Mr Sarkozy needs a three-fifths majority and is dependent on cross-party support. Despite offers of sweeteners, the Socialist, Green and Communist parties say will vote against. With a handful of Gaullists in Mr Sarkozy's party deserting him, the result will be swung by centrists and could hang on three votes.
The Socialists, who have long complained about the inequalities of the system, say Mr Sarkozy's reforms do not go far enough. They want changes to the rules for appointing senators, which favour the right. Until then, they argue, it will be impossible for opposition politicians to have an effective say in vetoing appointments.
The socialist senator Robert Badinter said yesterday that the reforms would leave in place France's "monocracy: the power of one man over the republic".
Jean-Pierre Raffarin, a Sarkozy supporter, told Paris Matchthe vote was "risky", but a yes vote would ensure Sarkozy's remaining reforms would be "irreversible" for the duration of his five-year leadership.
- (Guardian service)