France's new constitution, formally enacted in January…
1852 CE to 1863 CE
It concentrates virtually all governing power in his hands.
However, Louis-Napoléon is not content with merely being an authoritarian president.
Almost as soon as he signs the new document into law, he sets about restoring the empire.
In response to officially inspired requests for the return of the empire, the Senate schedules a second referendum in November, which passes with ninety-seven percent support
As with the December 1851 referendum, most of the "yes" votes are manufactured out of thin air.
The empire is formally re-established on December 2, 1852, and the Prince-President becomes "Napoléon III, Emperor of the French".
The constitution has already concentrated so much power in his hands that the only substantive changes are to replace the word "president" with the word "emperor" and to make the post hereditary.
The popular referendum will become a distinct sign of Bonapartism, which Charles de Gaulle will later use.
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