Editing Charles de Gaulle (section)

=== Direct presidential elections ===
{{see also|1965 French presidential election}}
In September 1962, de Gaulle sought a constitutional amendment to allow the president to be directly elected by the people and issued another [[1962 French presidential election referendum|referendum to this end]]. After a [[motion of censure]] voted by the parliament on 4 October 1962, de Gaulle dissolved the National Assembly and held [[1962 French legislative election|new elections]]. The Gaullists won an increased majority.<ref>{{cite news|title=De Gaulle Challenge to Parliament – To Retire if Referendum not Approved – Call to Nation before Debate on Censure Motion|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=5 October 1962}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=De Gaulle against the Politicians – Clear Issue for October Referendum – Assembly Election Likely after Solid Censure Vote|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=6 October 1962}}</ref>

De Gaulle's proposal to change the election procedure for the French presidency was approved at the referendum on 28 October 1962. Thereafter the president was to be elected by direct universal suffrage for the first time since Louis Napoleon in 1848.<ref>{{cite news|title="Yes" Reply for Gen. De Gaulle – Over 60 p.c. of Valid Votes – President Likely to Keep Office|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=29 October 1962}}</ref>

In December 1965, de Gaulle [[1965 French presidential election|returned as president for a second seven-year term]].