It doesn't have to be the kind of reform that takes decades:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_1968

I think you may be referring to changes that preserve current power and political structures, but that's not required.

I can't help observing that de Gaulle's party actually increased its parliamentary majority to record levels in the election that took place in June 1968; it signalled the beginning of the end of De Gaulle's political career but institutionally the protests were a total bust.