alternatehistory.com

OTL, following WW2 France drew up a new constitution for the Fourth Republic. This was put to the people for confirmation by referendum. The first attempt, in May 1946, failed as the people voted No. This constitution was particularly influenced by the Communists, Socialists and other leftist groups in the French provisional government, and was campaigned against by the Radicals, Moderates and other centre and right parties. In the end the constitution was toned down through compromise and a new version was put to referendum in October and it was approved. This was the constitution of the Fourth Republic that was in force until De Gaulle took over to form the Fifth Republic in 1958.

However, what if the May referendum had succeeded and the original form of the constitution had taken force? This isn't too unlikely, as the yes/no vote was the relatively close 47/53% in OTL and that was with fervent No campaigning by the right-wing parties. The (English) text can be found here. The chief difference I can see is that it creates a unicameral elected Assembly with a president even weaker than under the Third and OTL Fourth Republics. This would basically create a fully parliamentarian French state as opposed to the awkward compromise of the OTL Fourth and semi-presidential system of the Fifth.

What might be the effects of this?
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