WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PRESIDENT DIES IN OFFICE, OR RESIGNS?
The President of the Senate becomes the acting President until a new President of the Republic can be elected. Polling for the new election must take place – except when prevented by absolute necessity, which must be duly certified by the Constitutional Council – not less than 20 days and not more than 35 days after the beginning of the vacancy or after the President has been declared to be permanently incapacitated. Under Article 7 of the Constitution, the Constitutional Council, acting after referral by the Government, is responsible for certifying the incapacitation of the President. (art.7). The acting President of the Republic may not exercise the full extent of Presidential powers. He may neither call a referendum as provided under Article 11 of the Constitution, nor dissolve the National Assembly as provided under Article 12.
