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Article 139
The Constitutional Court may be referred to [a matter] by recourse aimed at having
a promulgated law declared not conforming to the Constitution by:
1. the President of the Republic within the fifteen days which follow the
transmission made to him of the law definitively adopted;
2. the Prime Minister within the fifteen days which follow the transmission
made to him of the law definitively adopted;
3. The President of the National Assembly or the President of the Senate
within the fifteen days which follow its definitive adoption;
4. a number of Deputies or of Senators at least equal to a tenth of the
members of each of the Chambers, within the fifteen days which follow its
definitive adoption.
The law can only be promulgated if it has been declared conforming to the
Constitution by the Constitutional Court, which decides within fifteen days of the
referral [of the matter]. However, at the demand of the Government, if there is
urgency, this time period is reduced to eight days. Past this time period, the law is
deemed conforming to the Constitution.
• Approval of general legislation
Article 140
The President of the Republic promulgates the law within fifteen days of its
transmission after the expiration of the time periods referred to in Articles 136 and
137 of the Constitution.
In default of promulgation of the law by the President of the Republic within the
constitutional time periods, the promulgation is of right.
Article 141
The laws are stamped with the Seal of the State and are published in the Journal
Officiel [Official Gazette]
Article 142
The law enters into force thirty days after its publication in the Journal Officiel
unless it provides otherwise.
In all cases, the Government assures diffusion in French and in each of the four
national languages within a time period of sixty days from the date of promulgation.
Article 143
In accordance with the provisions of Article 86 of the Constitution, the President of
the Republic declares war on the decision of the Council of Ministers after the
opinion of the Superior Council of Defense and the authorization of the two
Chambers.
He informs the Nation by a message.
Congo (Democratic Republic of the) 2005 (rev. 2011)
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