Amending Constitutions

Methods of Modifying Constitutions in Different Countries

A constitutional amendment modifies the constitution of a polity, organization, or other type of entity.
Most constitutions require that amendments cannot be enacted unless they have passed a special procedure that is more stringent than that required of ordinary legislation.
Australia and Ireland provide examples of constitutions requiring that all amendments are first passed by the legislature before being submitted to the people.
The special procedures for the amendment of some constitutions have proven to be so exacting that few or none have been passed over a period of several decades.
There are a number of formal differences, from one jurisdiction to another, in the manner in which constitutional amendments are both originally drafted and written down once they become law.
The manner in which constitutional amendments are finally recorded takes two main forms - revisions to the previous text and special articles of amendment.
An article of amendment may explicitly express itself as having the effect of repealing a specific existing article.
The use of appended articles of amendment is most famous as a feature of the United States Constitution.
The Constitution of Ethiopia can only be modified by a two-thirds majority of the country's regions and a two-thirds majority of a joint session of the Federal Parliamentary Assembly.
The Constitution of South Africa can be amended by an Act of Parliament, but special procedures and requirements apply to the passage of constitutional amendments.
The US federal constitution may be altered by the process described in Article Five of the United States Constitution, and 27 amendments have been added to the Constitution.
State constitutions in the US are amended on a regular basis, and individual states differ in the difficulty of constitutional amendments.Amending Constitutions around the World
The Washington State Constitution can only be amended through the legislature, with a two-thirds majority approval and a referendum vote.
Australia's Constitution can be amended only with an absolute majority vote in both houses of Parliament and a referendum vote.
The People's Republic of China's Constitution can be amended in accordance with Article 64 of "Chapter III: The Structure of the State".
India's Constitution can be amended through three methods: a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Parliament, a constitutional convention, or a People's Initiative.
Indonesia's Constitution can be amended by a two-thirds vote of the People's Consultative Assembly.
Japan's Constitution can be amended in accordance with Article 96 of "Chapter IX: Amendments," but Article 9, which renounces war, is considered irrevocable.
The Philippines' Constitution can be amended by a People's Initiative, a Constituent Assembly, or a Constitutional Convention.
Taiwan's Constitution can be amended by a referendum vote of citizens residing in the Republic of China free area.
Turkey's Constitution can be amended by a three-fifths majority vote in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
The European Union's treaties can be revised through an intergovernmental conference or through Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union.
The Constitution of Albania can be amended through Article 177.
The Constitution of Austria can be amended by a two-thirds majority in the National Council.
The Constitution of Belgium can be amended by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the Federal Parliament.
The Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be amended by a two-thirds majority vote in the Parliamentary Assembly.
The Constitution of Bulgaria can be amended through two procedures: a three-fifths majority vote in the National Assembly and a referendum vote or a two-thirds majority vote in the National Assembly.
The Constitution of the Czech Republic can be amended through the agreement of three-fifths of all Deputies and Senators in Parliament.
The Constitution of Denmark requires an amendment to be approved by Parliament, followed by a general election and another parliamentary approval before a referendum vote.
The Constitution of Estonia can be amended by a three-fifths majority in two successive complements of Parliament and a referendum vote for certain chapters.
The Constitution of Finland can be amended by a two-thirds supermajority vote in Parliament after being proposed by the Government or a member of Parliament.
The Constitution of France can be amended by a three-fifths majority vote of the two houses of the French parliament jointly convened in Congress or by a simple majority in a referendum.
The Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany can be amended through Article 79, but Paragraph 3 protects the democratic and federal structure of the country.
The Constitution of Greece can be amended through Article 110 of "Part Four: Special, Final, and Transitional Provisions."
The Constitution of Ireland can be amended by referendum after being proposed by the lower and upper houses of the Oireachtas.
The Constitution of Italy requires a constitutional law to be approved by a majority of MPs in both houses of Parliament in its second reading after being approved in its first reading and a referendum vote.
The Constitution of the Netherlands requires a law to be passed by a simple majority vote in the legislature, followed by a 2/3 majority vote in both houses of Parliament after an election.
The Constitution ofAmending Constitutions Around the World
Russia's constitutional amendments extending presidential and Duma terms
Serbia's constitution has never been amended since its adoption in 2006
Details of Spain's constitutional amendment procedures
Sweden's constitutional amendment procedures for fundamental laws
The absence of constitutional entrenchment in the United Kingdom's parliamentary sovereignty system
The limitations on amendment in some constitutions to protect democratic government and human rights