Government

Since the Revolution of 1789, France has had an extremely uniform and centralized administration, although constitutional changes in 2003 now permit greater autonomy to the nation's regions and departments. The country is governed under the 1958 constitution, which established the Fifth French Republic and reflected the views of Charles de Gaulle. It provides for a strong president, directly elected for a five-year term (changed from a seven-year term in 2000). A premier and cabinet, appointed by the president, are responsible to the national assembly, but they are subordinate to the president. Parliament consists of the national assembly and the senate. Deputies to the assembly are elected for five-year terms from single-member districts. Senators are elected for nine-year terms from each department by an electoral college composed of the deputies, district council members, and municipal council members from the department.

Parliament is solely responsible for legislation regarding civil, fiscal, and penal law, electoral law, civil liberties, the budget, and amnesty and labor laws. The president has power of appointment of the prime minister, the executive ministers, high civil servants, and judges. The president presides over the council of ministers, is the commander in chief of the armed forces, and has power to dissolve the national assembly. Major parties include the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), the Socialist Party (PS), the National Front (FN), the Union for French Democracy (UDF), the Communist party (PCF), and the Green party.

France's 22 regions (see above under Land) each have a directly elected regional council, primarily responsible for stimulating economic and social activity. The regions are further divided into 96 departments (not including the four overseas departments), which are governed by a locally elected general council, with one councilor per canton, elected for a six-year term. As a result of constitutional amendments in 2003, regions and departments may seek greater autonomy than was possible previously. Further subdivisions are districts, cantons, and communes. The districts (arrondisements) and cantons have little power. The communes, however, are more powerful because they are responsible for municipal services and are represented in the national government by the mayor.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

• • Cite
  • Print