Charles de Gaulle

De Gaulle invoked Article 16 during the generals' revolt in Algeria in April 1961, concentrating exceptional powers in the presidency. Measures extended into matters normally requiring legislation, including criminal procedure and military tribunals. The invocation continued until September, well beyond the revolt's immediate collapse. It ended without abolishing parliamentary government, but demonstrated how a constitutional emergency clause could substantially expand presidential authority and raise questions about who determined when normal conditions had returned.