Key points in France's constitutional reform plan

PRESIDENT
- Allows the president to appear before parliament for the first time, in a speech similar to the State of the Union address in the United States.
- Limits presidents to two five-year terms.
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PARLIAMENT
- Requires the president to inform parliament of any troop deployment overseas, and requires parliament’s approval for any deployment of over four months.
- Allows parliamentary commissions to veto major presidential appointments.
- Limits the government’s powers to push through legislation without a vote in the event of stalemate.
- Creates legislative seats to represent French voters living abroad.
- Grants a greater role in parliament to opposition and minority parties.

PEOPLE
- Requires a voter referendum to approve EU membership for any new states, such as Turkey. The requirement could be waived on a case-by-case basis by a three-fifths majority vote in parliament.
- Creates the post of an independent "citizen’s rights defender." Any citizen who feels wronged by French administration could appeal to this defender.
- Allows any citizen on trial to formally question the constitutionality of laws.
- Recognizes equal access for women and men to the work force.
- Recognizes regional languages as part of Frances cultural heritage.