Government of France — Nation by Nation

Form of Government

Government Type

Semi-presidential republic. The Fifth Republic combines a directly elected president with a prime minister responsible to parliament.

Capital

Paris.

Administrative Divisions

18 integral regions — 13 metropolitan and 5 overseas (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Réunion).

Independence

486 — Frankish tribes unified under Clovis. The current Fifth Republic constitution was adopted 4 October 1958.

Legal System & Suffrage

Civil law system, with constitutional review by the Constitutional Council. Suffrage is universal at age 18.

Executive Branch

Chief of State

The President of the Republic, directly elected for a 5-year term (limited to two consecutive terms).

Head of Government

The Prime Minister, appointed by the president.

Cabinet

The Council of Ministers, appointed by the president on the prime minister’s suggestion.

Judicial Branch

Highest Courts

The Court of Cassation (final court for civil and criminal cases) and the Council of State (administrative justice).

Constitutional Council

Reviews the constitutionality of laws; nine members serving nine-year terms.

Legislative Branch

Parliament

A bicameral Parliament: the Senate (348 seats, indirectly elected to 6-year terms) and the National Assembly (577 seats, directly elected to 5-year terms).