Cabinet approves constitutional amendments

The Council of Ministers on Monday endorsed constitutional amendments for the year 2016 and submitted them to the Lower House for debate.

The amendments aim to strengthen the principle of separation of powers, boost the independence of Constitutional Court and Judiciary Authority and enhance the neutrality of the gendarmerie in politics.

During today's session, chaired by Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, the Cabinet approved the amendments to Article 40 of the Constitution by adding paragraph 2 as the following :
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this article, the power of appointing the following bodies is vested in the King:
a. Crown prince
b. Regent 
c. Senate President and members
d. Constitutional Court president and members
e. President of the Judicial Council
f. Army commander, Intelligence chief and director of the Gendarmerie

The ministers also approved the changes to Article 50 of the constitution by adding paragraph (2) as the following:

1. Deleting the phrase (or death) mentioned in paragraph 1.
2. In the case of the death of the prime minister, the Cabinet will be headed by deputy prime minister or senior minister, as appropriate, and until the formation of a new Cabinet.

The council also endorsed amendments to the paragraph (1) of Article 69 by changing "for a period of one calendar year" to "for a period of two calendar years."

It also approved an amendment to Article 127 of the Constitution provides as follows:
First: removing a previous phrase stating ( Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of Article 40) that was mentioned in the third paragraph.
Second: adding the phrase ( gendarmerie director) after (intelligence chief ) in the third paragraph.

Source ; Petra