French Fifth Republic of the election on 9 January 1959. The new president began his office on that date, appointing Michel Debré as Prime Minister. The 1958 constitution also replaced the French Union with the French Community, which allowed fourteen member territories (these did not include Algeria) to assert their independence. 1960 became known as the "Year of Africa" because of this wave of newly independent states. Algeria became independent on 5 July 1962. The president was initially elected by an electoral college, but in 1962 de Gaulle proposed that the president be directly elected by the citizens, and held a referendum on
President of the Dominican Republic obligations of the President of the Republic. The office can be held for up to two consecutive four-year terms. Persons who have completed their presidencies cannot run for the presidency again. The change of command takes place every four years, on 16 August, which is the day of the Restoration of the Republic, a national holiday. Prior to 2015, the President was limited to one consecutive term, but could run for the office again after at least one subsequent term. The schools and powers of the President of the Dominican Republic are contained in the title fourth, chapter I, section