Opposition MPs in France have prepared a draft resolution to impeach President Francois Hollande, according to media reports.
The members of the National Assembly have sent the draft resolution to a special sitting of parliament, also referred to as the High Court, which is set up for the purpose of resolving parliamentary affairs.
About 79 deputies have signed the motion of impeachment, while a minimum of 58 votes are needed to proceed with the process. A total of about 152 lawmakers are reported to be supporting the impeachment.
Members of the French Republican Party allege that Hollande disclosed secret information on intelligence services.
They are trying to invoke Article 68 against the president, according to which action may be taken against the president if he violates his duties rendering him "incompatible with his continuing in office."
"It [the resolution] expresses our deep conviction that a president must not, cannot and simply does not have a right to say anything in relation to his responsibilities as head of state and army chief," the resolution said.
The impeachment process is lengthy and multi-layered, which involves a secret ballot in both Assembly and Senate. National Assembly has 577 members at present, out of which 51 percent are members of Hollande's Socialist Party. The party holds only 37 percent of seats in the Senate.
A majority of two-thirds is required in both the Assembly and Senate for impeachment to be approved.
Hollande is facing pressure from lawmakers to not contest elections next year.
It might take several months for the matter of impeachment to be resolved by the High Court.
The move by the opposition comes as the date for national elections approaches in April and May of 2017.
It is not clear if Hollande will run for president in the next term, and will formally announce his decision in December.
