Abstract
The principle of separation of powers is a controversial notion of political philosophy. Despite its expected decline due to the development of the constitutional jurisprudence allowing the emergence of the Constitution-guarantee of rights, separation of powers is still a key concept. Indeed, now that the Declaration of 1789 and its article 16 have constitutional rank, the principle of separation of powers is a constitutional norm. Using it, the Constitutional Council has defined its meaning and scope following two very different ways. In the first place, between the political powers, the constitutional jurisprudence isbased on the “separatist dogma”, which most of the times leads to a strict separation. In the second place, between the political and the jurisdictional powers, the principle of separation of powers is applied in a very pragmatic way. It is to say that the Council chooses to apply a strict or flexible separation depending on the most favorable outcome for the guarantee of rights and its main guardian, the judge.