ALGERIA
The Constitution was amended in November 2008, lifting the twoterm presidential limit and creating the position of Vice-President. The post of Prime Minister was downgraded to the same level as other ministerial posts, with the premier no longer able to choose cabinet members or present cabinet's programme. Other amendments were introduced to ensure a more equitable political representation of women.

The amendments were adopted by parliament, in lieu of a constitutional referendum. On 12 November, a joint session of both chambers approved the amendments by 500 votes to 21 with eight abstentions. The amendments were ratified by the President on 15 November.

ECUADOR
On 25 July 2008, the Constituent Assembly published a 444-article draft constitution. A referendum on this draft took place on 28 September, in which over 90 per cent of the 9.3 million registered voters took part, with 64 per cent of voters approving it. The new Constitution, the country's 20th since it gained independence in 1830, entered into effect on 20 October upon being published in the official gazette.

The new Constitution provides for a 124-member unicameral National Assembly with a four-year term. Members are to be elected through a mixed electoral system: 103 members under the majority system in multi-member constituencies and 21 under the proportional representation system (15 in a nationwide constituency and six representing Ecuadorians abroad). The incumbent President is now allowed to run for re-election immediately upon expiry of his current term of office. The President may dissolve the National Assembly within the first three years of its four-year term. The National Assembly may remove the President from office. In both cases, parliamentary and presidential elections will automatically be called.

Once the new Constitution entered into force, the National Congress ceased to function. A Legislative and Oversight Commission, comprising the members of the Constituent Assembly, was tasked in the interim with performing the main functions of the legislative branch until the National Assembly is established. Early parliamentary and presidential elections stipulated under the new Constitution are due to be held on 26 April 2009.

FRANCE
On 21 July 2008, a series of constitutional reforms proposed by President Nicolas Sarkozy were approved by a joint session of the National Assembly and the Senate by 539 votes to 357, one vote more than the required three-fifths majority. Parliamentarians had been divided over a plan to allow the President to address parliament, which had not been permitted since 1875 due to the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches. The amendments give parliament more power to oversee the government and more control over its own agenda. Parliament can also veto certain presidential appointments. The President of the Republic cannot serve more than two consecutive terms.

MALDIVES
On 26 June 2008, the Special Majlis (constitutional assembly) adopted a new constitution. On 7 August, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ratified it, paving the way for the country's first multi-party presidential elections, held on 8 October. Under the new Constitution, the President can serve only two terms. President Gayoom, who had been President since 1978, was allowed to contest the elections. He was defeated by Mr. Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Parliamentary elections were constitutionally due before 15 February 2009 and newly elected members due to be sworn in by the end of February. However, at the time of going to print, the People's Majlis had not passed the electoral law which will determine the statutory number of members of the new legislature, widely expected to increase from 50 to over 70 directly elected members.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
On 5 November 2008, President Dmitry Medvedev proposed constitutional amendments extending the term of office of the President and the State Duma by one year to six and five years respectively. After obtaining the approval of parliament and the regional legislative assemblies, President Medvedev signed the amendments into law on 30 December. The following day, they entered into force upon publication in the official gazette.

SENEGAL
On 29 July 2008, the National Assembly adopted an amendment to Article 27 of the Constitution to extend the presidential term from five to seven years, although the same article stipulates that the clause “can only be changed through a referendum”. After approval by the Senate and a joint session of both chambers, President Abdoulaye Wade promulgated the amendment on 21 October. Meanwhile, on 12 and 15 October respectively, the National Assembly and the Senate voted to modify Article 62 of the Constitution to reduce the term of the Speaker of the National Assembly from five years to one year, with immediate effect. Between 2000 and 2008, the Constitution was modified on average every six months.

TURKMENISTAN
On 23 April 2008, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov announced that major constitutional amendments would be introduced in September 2008. On 26 September, those amendments were adopted by the People's Council (Khalk Maslahaty), the supreme representative body comprising over 2,000 top officials and elders created in 2003 under former president Saparmyrat Niyazov. The People's Council then unanimously voted to dissolve itself and transfer its powers to the President and the parliament, the Assembly. The Assembly can now once again amend and adopt the Constitution. It had been divested of this power in 2003. It can also call referendums and presidential and parliamentary elections, ratify international treaties and address issues concerning the demarcation of the country's borders.

The amendments also increased the membership of the Assembly from 50 to 125 members. Individuals nominated from legally registered political parties and political movements, as well as public associations and assemblies of voters, are eligible to run for elections. Previously, only the members of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan, the only legal party in the country, had been eligible.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
On 1 December 2008, the Federal Supreme Council (the highest political and policy-making body of the federal government) approved constitutional amendments transforming the Federal National Council (FNC - the federal parliament) into a fullfledged legislative body with powers to scrutinize government action. The term of the FNC was extended from the current two years to four. The incumbent members who were elected in December 2006 will serve until February 2011.