In what ways did the French Constitution of 1799 institutionalize strong executive authority?

The French Constitution of 1799, also known as the Constitution of the Year VIII, institutionalized strong executive authority in several ways:

1. Establishment of the Consulate: The Constitution established the Consulate, a three-member executive body with Napoleon Bonaparte as the First Consul. This gave Napoleon significant power, as he was able to influence the decision-making process.

2. Power to Propose Laws: The First Consul had the power to propose laws. This meant that the legislative body was only able to vote on laws that had been proposed by the executive, giving the executive significant control over the legislative process.

3. Control Over the Judiciary: The executive had the power to appoint judges. This gave the executive significant influence over the judiciary, further strengthening its authority.

4. Limited Suffrage: The Constitution limited suffrage, or the right to vote, to only a small portion of the population. This meant that the executive was not accountable to the general population, but only to a small, select group.

5. Lifetime Appointment: The Constitution allowed for the First Consul to be appointed for life, further consolidating power in the executive.

6. Control Over the Army: The First Consul had control over the army, giving him significant power and influence.

In these ways, the French Constitution of 1799 institutionalized a strong executive authority, laying the groundwork for Napoleon's rise to power.