France, an independent country since 486 AD, has developed into a representative democratic republic, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

France is the oldest unified state in Europe. The country was ruled by a monarchy for almost 800 years before Napoleon Bonaparte took control as Emperor. The French monarchy was re-established after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo and was followed by several different political regimes until the present-day Fifth Republic took hold on October 5, 1958.

Political System

The French Republic is considered a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, with the seat of government centered in the capital city, Paris. The country became an independent nation in the year 486 AD, under the rule of the first King of the Franks, Clovis I. The national holiday is Fete de la Federation, celebrated on July 14. The holiday is also known as Fete Nationale and Quatorze Juillet.

France’s current constitution was originally adopted by referendum on September 28, 1958, became effective on October 4, 1958, and has been amended many times. The document allows for universal suffrage at 18 years of age.

Administrative Regions

The French Republic consists of 22 metropolitan regions (including Corsica, a “territorial collectivity”), and four overseas regions:

Metropolitan Regions:

• Alsace
• Aquitaine
• Auvergne
• Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy)
• Bourgogne
• Bretagne (Brittany)
• Centre
• Champagne-Ardenne
• Corse (Corsica)
• Franche-Comte
• Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy)
• Ile-de-France
• Languedoc-Roussillon
• Limousin
• Lorraine
• Midi-Pyrenees
• Nord-Pas-de-Calais
• Pays de la Loire
• Picardie
• Poitou-Charentes
• Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur
• Rhone-Alpes

Overseas Regions:

• Guadeloupe
• Guyane (French Guiana)
• Martinique
• Reunion

Executive Branch

The President is France’s chief of state. This person is elected by popular vote to a five year term, and is eligible for a second term. Nicolas Sarkozy, the current President, was elected to the position on May 16, 2007.

The head of government is the Prime Minister, appointed by the President after nomination by a majority of the National Assembly. Francois Fillon, the current Prime Minister, began his official duties on May 17, 2007.

The Council of Ministers is composed of 15 ministers, 16 ministers of state, and one High Commissioner. All members are are appointed by the President at the suggestion of the Prime Minister. The current ministers are:

• Agriculture and Fisheries - Michel Barnier
• Budget, Public Accounts and the Civil Service - Eric Woerth
• Culture and Communication - Christine Albanel
• Defense - Herve Morin
• Ecology and Sustainable Planning and Development - Jean-Louis Borloo
• Economy Finance and Employment - Christine Lagarde
• Foreign and European Affairs - Bernard Kouchner
• Health, Youth and Sport - Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin
• Higher Education and Research - Valerie Pecresse
• Housing and Urban Affairs - Christine Boutin
• Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Co-Development - Brice Hortefeux
• Interior, Overseas France and Local Authorities - Michele Alliot-Marie
• Justice/Keeper of the Seals - Rachida Dati
• Labour, Labour Relations and Solidarity - Xavier Bertrand
• National Education - Xavier Darcos

Legislative Branch

The French Parliament is a bicameral body consisting of the 331-seat Senate (Senat) and the 577-seat National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale). Members of the Senate are elected by an electoral college to nine-year terms. National Assembly members are elected by popular vote under a single-member majority system to serve five year terms.

The current structure of the Senate, by political party is (number of seats):

• Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) - 156
• Socialist Party (PS) - 97
• Union for French Democracy (UDF) - 33
• French Communist Party (PCF) - 23
• Democratic and European Social Rally (RDSE) - 15
• Other - 7

The current structure of the National Assembly, by political party is (number of seats):

• Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) - 313
• Socialist Party (PS) - 186
• New Center (NC) - 22
• Miscellaneous Left Wing Parties - 15
• French Communist Party (PCF) - 15
• Miscellaneous Right Wing Parties - 9
• Left Radical Party (PRG) - 7
• Greens - 4
• Other - 6

Judicial Branch

The country’s judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court of Appeals, the Constitutional Council, and the Council of State.

Legal System

The French legal system is based on civil law with indigenous concepts. The country has not accepted compulsory International Court of Justice (ICJ) jurisdiction.

References

Barrientos, Miguel. Index Mundi. 2007.

French Prime Minister - French Government Portal Official Website.