Replacing, or acting on behalf of, the President of the Republic

(1) The President of the Republic ceases to hold office if he or she is definitively sentenced by the Supreme Court for treason or a serious and deliberate violation of the Constitution. (2) The decision authorising charges to be filed against the President of the Republic in the Supreme Court is taken by a two-thirds majority vote of members of each Chamber of Parliament in a joint sitting. (3) Prosecution against the President of the Republic is conducted by the Prosecutor General or the Deputy Prosecutor General or both. (4) If the President of the Republic is convicted of offences mentioned in Paragraph (1) of this Article, or if he or she resigns, is permanently incapacitated or dies, the President of the Supreme Court declares the office of President of the Republic vacant. (5) When the President of the Supreme Court declares the office of President of the Republic vacant, the President of the Republic is replaced in an acting capacity by the President of the Senate, or in his or her absence by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, or in the absence of both by the Prime Minister. (6) Permanent incapacity referred to in Paragraph (4) of this Article is certified by a panel of three medical doctors nominated by the Minister in charge of health upon request by the President of the Supreme Court. (7) The acting President of the Republic referred to in this Article cannot appoint public officials, call a referendum, initiate the revision of the Constitution, exercise the prerogative of mercy or declare war. (8) In case the office of the President of the Republic becomes vacant before the end of the President’s term of office, elections to replace him or her are organised within 90 days. The President of the Republic who is elected serves the remainder of the term of office of his or her predecessor. (9) When the President of the Republic is out of the country, sick or temporarily unable to perform his or her duties, the Prime Minister serves in an acting capacity.