French Fifth Republic voted in the referendum of 28 September 1958. The new constitution was signed into law on 4 October 1958. Since each new constitution established a new republic, France moved from the Fourth to the Fifth Republic. The new constitution contained transitional clauses (articles 90–92) extending the period of rule by decree until the new institutions were operating. René Coty remained President of the Republic until the new president was proclaimed. On 21 December 1958, Charles de Gaulle was elected President of France by an electoral college. The provisional constitutional commission, acting in lieu of the Constitutional Council, proclaimed the results
1996 President of the Senate of the Czech Republic election 1996 President of the Senate of the Czech Republic election An election of the President of the Senate of the Czech Republic was held on 18 December 1996. Petr Pithart was elected the first President of the Senate. Pithart was a candidate of the Christian and Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People's Party (KDU-CSL), and his election was opposed primarily by the Civic Democratic Party. The first election of Senate was held in November 1996. The Civic Democratic Party (ODS) emerged as the strongest party with the Social Democrats second. The first meeting was held on 18 December 1996 to elect