Note 8 — Chapter I · THE ORIGINS

German jurists get much pleasure in pointing out the following constitutional curiosity: the condition necessary for a law enacted by a parliament to become operative is that this law shall be promulgated, that is to say, authenticated and published. But these operations suppose a government. Now, the law of February 10, created the government; but this law could not be promulgated by a government which this very promulgation would create. It was decided, therefore, that the law should become operative immediately and be authenticated by the President of the National Assembly.