Politics of France

Maybe not everybody finds that subject interesting, but I think it must be mentioned. I will try to not boring you as much as I can.


The politics of France take place with the framework of a semi-presidential system determined by the French Constitution of the fifth Republic. The nation declares itself to be an "indivisible, secular, democratic, and social Republic". The constitution provides for a separation of powers and proclaims France's "attachment to the Rights of Man and the principles of national sovereignty as defined by the Declaration of 1789."


The political system of France consists of an executive branch, a legislative branch and a judicial branch. Executive power is exercised by the President of the Republic and the Government. The Government consists of the Prime Minister and ministers. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, and is responsible to Parliament. The government, including the Prime Minister, can be revoked by the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, through a "censure motion"; this ensures that the Prime Minister is always supported by a majority of the lower house. Parliament comprises the National Assembly and the Senate. The independent judiciary is based upon civil law system which evolved from the Napoleonic codes.

France has a semi-presidental system of government. This means that the presidential candidate is required to obtain a nationwide majority of non-blank votes at either the first or second round of balloting, which implies that the President is somehow supported by at least half of the voting population. He appoints the Prime Minister, the ministers, ministers-delegate and secretaries. When the President's political party or supporters control parliament, the President is the dominant player in executive action.

Ugh, really complicated. But in short, you can see how it works.

Interesting fact: In 1789 the first Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created in France.