Why did France adopt a new constitution in 1958?

France adopted a new constitution in 1958 primarily due to the political instability and crisis triggered by the insurrection in Algeria, which was then a French colony.12

The Fourth Republic had been severely weakened by the long and brutal Algerian War, which created deep divisions within French society and politics. In May 1958, activist groups in Algiers seized control of the city and established an emergency government with military support, threatening a coup and potential civil war.2

Facing this collapse, political leaders turned to General Charles de Gaulle, a long-time critic of the existing parliamentary system who advocated for a stronger executive branch. De Gaulle was granted power to draft a new constitution, which resulted in the creation of the Fifth Republic. This new framework, promulgated on October 4, 1958, was designed to provide the stability that the previous government lacked, shifting power toward a stronger presidency and away from the parliamentary dominance of the Fourth Republic.31