Four months into his temporary position as absolute leader of France, Charles de Gaulle held a referendum; French citizens were asked to vote to approve a new constitution, thereby dissolving the Fourth Republic and creating the Fifth. The current constitution had only existed since 1946; this updated version expanded the power of the presidency (that had previously been mainly ceremonial) so that he now had the sole authority to appoint a prime minister as well as the ability to dissolve the National Assembly and take on full governmental power in “exceptional circumstances.” Parliament lost much of its power, leading to fewer checks and balances on the executive branch. In addition to domestic changes, the new constitution asked all outlying French territories and colonies if they wished to gain immediate independence or have their own autonomous governments within the French community. The only territory to vote against remaining within France’s orbit was Guinea, which gained its independence within a few days of the vote. Focusing on a woman casting her vote in the referendum was a strategic choice for this campaign. Women had only recently gained the right to vote and were approximately 12 percent more likely to abstain from participating than men, but also 9 percent more inclined to vote for a conservative candidate like de Gaulle. By making a vote in favor of the new constitution the clear choice for women, Lefor-Openo helped secure de Gaulle’s desired result.