Constitutional basis
The Constitution must designate the matter as one governed by organic law.
Interactive institutional dictionary
What is an organic law? Origin, voting procedure and mandatory review
Organic law is often mentioned in institutional reform but rarely explained. It specifies the Constitution in matters expressly reserved to it.
Simple definition
An organic law is a statute to which the Constitution assigns the task of specifying the organisation or operation of public authorities. It sits between the Constitution and ordinary legislation: it must comply with the Constitution, and ordinary statutes must comply with applicable organic rules.
Why is it called “organic”?
The term refers to organs and organisation. Organic laws describe the operation of certain constitutional “organs”, including Parliament, the Constitutional Council, justice and public-finance frameworks where the Constitution expressly requires them.
A more demanding procedure
Introduction
The text may be a government bill or a parliamentary proposal.
Special voting rules
Article 46 provides specific deadlines and, in some situations, enhanced majority rules.
Mandatory review
The Constitutional Council must rule before promulgation.
Examples relevant to the Plan de Rupture
- reducing the number of members of Parliament after a constitutional amendment;
- the organic framework governing Finance Acts;
- the organic framework governing Social Security Finance Acts;
- rules governing certain constitutional institutions.