French Government French Government France is known as

French Government

French Government • France is known as the French Republic, and is ruled according to the Constitution of the Fifth Republic of 1958. • These rights trace their way back to the French Revolution and the Second World War. • French government has historically been centralized, but recently the local bodies have gained more power.

Elections • Head of State: President • Elected every 5 years, by a majority vote in a general election. • There are 2 votes, or until there is a clear majority. • Dozens of candidates will run in the election, but the main parties will usually dominate the second round: • Union for Popular Movement • Socialist Party

What do they do? • The President appoints the Prime Minister along with • Senior Civil Servants • Military Commanders • The Prime Minister: • Appoints the government • Guides government policy • Main driver of political reform • At this level the government introduces legislation over: • Finance, health and education, housing, environment and defnce.

Parliament National Assembly • Lower house • 577 members (deputes) • Serves 5 year terms Senate • Upper house • 331 seats (senators) • Serve 6 year terms • Recently changed from 9 year terms • Elect President of the Senate • Second in line to Presidency

Paliament • 2 house system (bicameral): • The National Assembly • Senate

Regions, Departments, and Communes • Regions are the in-between of national government and departments. • 26 regions, elected for 6 years • They over see regional planning, economic development, etc. • Departments oversee health, social services, rural capital works, departmental roads, cost of higher education, and capital expenditure • 100 departments • 6 year terms • Communes these are your city officials, mayors etc. • Elected every 6 years • 37, 000 communes

Francois Hollande • Socialist Party • Elected in 2015 • Platform: • Increasing taxes on corporations • Allowing same sex adoptions and marriage liscences. • Reducing the retirement age

Manuel Valls • • Prime Minister of France Took office in March of 2014 Socialist Party Elected after the Prime Minster before him resigned.

Gerard Larcher • President of the Senate • Appointed Octiober 2014 • Member of the center-right party the Republicans • Second term for President of the Senate