photographist

"My thesis was in comparative law and a few years later I passed the civil service competitive examination for faculties of law. I am currently professor of public law in Toulouse. Initially I was a student of literature, but I was attracted to the law and then studied private law. During my Diploma of Advanced Studies, I found constitutional law with Louis Favoreu and developed a taste for research. Studying the organisation of the executive, legislative and judicial branches within the government thrilled me. Constitutional law cannot be envisaged without the connection to politics. I teach my students from the perspective of comparative law; we compare, for example, European parliamentary systems.
Out of all legal experts, those with expertise in constitution are often consulted by government or parliament authorities. I was part of the so-called Jospin commission on renewal and ethics in public political life.

In France, it took some time to realise that the most important text is the constitution – the text, which was considered sacred, was the law. Due to anti-Semitic laws under the Vichy government, the significance of a higher text – the constitution – was measured, along with the associated significance of a body in charge of ensuring that the laws did not violate this constitution. To do this, the constitutional Council was set up in 1958. It consists of 9 appointed members, in addition to members by right, i.e. former Presidents of the Republic, which is an aberration. Currently only three women sit on this Council, and yet many have the relevant skills. France is lagging behind in making gender equality a reality. There is still a great deal of sexism, even at university. Equality moves things forward and I welcome the effects, but at the same time I'm wary of the ideological foundations."

Wanda Mastor,
Professor of public Law, University of Toulouse 1 Capitole

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