May 1946 French constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in France on 5 May 1946.[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of a new draft Constitution proposed by the Constituent Assembly elected in 1945 (the "Constitutional Bill of 19 April 1946").[2]

This article is part of a series on the
Politics of France
Republic Fifth Republic Constitution Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
Executive President (list) Antoine Lachat Prime Minister (list) Antoine Lachat Government Castex
Legislature National Assembly President: Richard Ferrand Senate President: Gérard Larcher Congress of the French Parliament
Judiciary Constitutional Council Council of State Court of Cassation Court of Audit Cour de Justice de la République
Administrative divisions Regions Departments
Elections Presidential Legislative Municipal Political parties
Foreign relations Africa Americas Asia France and the United Nations Foreign alliances Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Politics of the European Union
Related topics Human rights Political scandals
Other countries

The draft Constitution, approved by the Constituent Assembly on 19 April 1946, was supported by the Communists and the Socialists. It concentrated power in a unicameral Assembly and abolished the Senate of France.

Moderates, Radicals, and the Popular Republican Movement (MRP) campaigned against the referendum. The "No" coalition warned the voters against the danger of a "dictatorship" of an Assembly dominated by the Marxists, which could question the existence of private property. In the "Yes" coalition, the SFIO refused the Communist proposition of a common campaign.

The draft Constitution was rejected by 52.8% of voters, with a turnout of 79.6%.[2]

As a result of the vote, the Constituent Assembly elected in 1945 was dissolved and fresh elections for a new Constituent Assembly were held on 2 June 1946. This second Constituent Assembly adopted a different draft Constitution on 29 September 1946. This second draft was submitted to the French people in the referendum of 13 October 1946 and was approved, resulting in the enactment of the Constitution of the French Fourth Republic, signed into law by the President of the Provisional Government on 27 October 1946.