39. The government is confided to three Consuls appointed for ten years and indefinitely re-eligible. Each of them is elected individually with the distinguishing title of First, Second or Third Consul. The constitution appoints as First Consul, Citizen Bonaparte, former provisional consul; as Second Consul, Citizen Cambacérès, former minister of justice: and as Third Consul, Citizen Lebrun, former member of the commission of the Council of Ancients. For this time the Third Consul is appointed only for five years.
40. The First Consul has special duties and prerogative in which he is temporarily replaced by one of his colleagues, when there is need.