Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/174

We, the Czechoslovak nation, in order to form a more perfect union of the nation, establish justice and order in the Republic, insure tranquil development of the Czechoslovak homeland, promote the general welfare of all the citizens of this state and secure the blessings of liberty to future generations, have adopted in our National Assembly on the 29th day of February, 1920, a constitution for the Czechoslovak Republic, the text of which follows. On this occasion, we the Czechoslovak nation, declare that we shall endeavor to have this constitution and all laws of our land carried out in the spirit of our history and also in the spirit of modern principles, contained in the word self-determination; for we desire to join the society of nations as an enlightened, peaceful, democratic and progressive member.

1. Laws in conflict with the constitution, the fundamental laws which are a part of it, and laws which may supplement or a mend it are void.

The constitution and the fundamental laws which are a part of it may be changed or supplemented only by laws designated as constitutional laws.

II. The constitutional court decides, whether laws of the Czechoslovak Republic and laws of the diet of Carpathian Russia comply with article I.

III. The constitutional court consists of seven members. The supreme administrative court and the supreme court cach designate two members. The remaining two members together with the president of the court are appointed by the president of the Republic.

Regulation of the manner in which the two above mentioned courts select members of the constitutional court, its functioning, rules of procedure and effects of its judgements is determined by law.

IV. The existing National Assembly shall remain in session, until the chamber of deputies and the senate are constituted.

Laws adopted by this National Assembly, but not proclaimed on the day when the chamber of deputies and the senate are constituted, may not go into effect, if returned by the president of the Republic to the National Assembly.

As to the term, set by the provisional constitution for the exercise of the right of the president of the Republic according to section 11 and for the duty to proclaim the adopted law, the laws passed by the existing National Assembly shall be governed by the provisional constitution.

V. The present president remains in office, until a new election has taken place. From the day on which this constitution goes into effect he shall possess the rights herein granted.

VI. Until there is elected the full number of members of the chamber of deputies and the senate provided for in the constitution, the number of members actually elected shall be applied to determine the quorum of deputies and senators required by the constitution.

VII. Provisions of article I., II. and III. (paragraph 1) form a part of the constitution in accordance with section 33 of this instrument.

Enabling laws referred to in the constitution are not a part of this instrument within the scope of section 1, unless otherwise expressly stated by the constitution.

VIII. The constitution hereto attached goes into effect on the day of its proclamation.

Section 20 of the constitution does not apply to members of the existing National Assembly.

IX. On the day stated in paragraph 1 of section VIII. all ordinances in conflict with the constitution and the republican form of government, as well as all former constitutional laws, even though some of their provisions may not be in conflict with the fundamental laws of the Czechoslovak Republic, become void.

X. This law goes into effect simultaneously with the constitution, and the government is charged with carrying out this law and the constitution.

1. The people are the only source of all state authority in the Czechoslovak Republic.