reading of it by the Parliament, but only once per law. The president may also refer the law for review to the Constitutional Council prior to promulgation. The president may dissolve the French National Assembly. The president may refer treaties or certain types of laws to popular referendum, within certain conditions (among them the agreement of the prime minister or the Parliament). The president is the Chief of the Armed Forces. The president may order the use of nuclear weapons. The president names the prime minister. In theory, they cannot directly dismiss them, but at least a few recent PM's are known to have given an undated letter of resignation for themselves to the president upon taking office, and the president generally has some influence over the PM. The president also names and dismisses the other ministers, with the advice of the prime minister. The president names most officials (with the assent of the cabinet). The president names certain members of the Constitutional Council. (Former presidents are also members of this council) The president receives foreign ambassadors. The president may grant a pardon (but not an amnesty) to convicted criminals; the president can also lessen or suppress criminal sentences. This was of crucial importance when France still operated the death penalty: criminals sentenced to death would generally request that the president commute their sentence to life imprisonment. All decisions of the president must be countersigned by the prime minister, except dissolving the National Assembly, choice of prime minister, and other dispositions referred to in Article 19. Detailed constitutional powers The constitutional attributions of the president are defined in Title II of the Constitution of France. Article 5: The president of the republic shall see that the Constitution is observed. He shall ensure, by his arbitration, the proper functioning of the public authorities and the continuity of the State. He shall be the guarantor of national independence, territorial integrity and observance of treaties. Article 8: The president of the republic shall appoint the prime minister. He shall terminate the appointment of the prime minister when the latter tenders the resignation of the Government. On the proposal of the prime minister, he shall appoint the other members of the Government and terminate their appointments. Article 9: The president of the republic shall preside over the Council of Ministers. Article 10: The president of the republic shall promulgate acts of parliament within fifteen