State and regional organization
Themes
Date of update
System of government
President & Prime Minister
The President of the Republic is elected for a five-year term by direct election.
President of the Republic (Head of State): Mr. Emmanuel Macron
The French government comprises the Prime Minister, appointed by the President of the Republic, along with ministers and ministers of state appointed by the President after being put forward by the Prime Minister. Led by the Prime Minister, the French government sets out and implements nationwide government policy.
Prime Minister (Head of Government): Mr. Gabriel ATTAL
Central government is represented in France’s regions and départements by Prefects, who hold authority over all the offices of central government in each area of the country.
The French parliament draws up and passes laws, and holds the government to account. The legislature is bicameral:
- The National Assembly comprises 577 members (députés) elected for a five-year term by direct election.
- The Senate comprises 343 senators elected for a six-year term via an indirect election. When agreement cannot be reached between the two chambers, the National Assembly’s decision is final.
Regional and local authorities
France has a variety of local authorities at regional, departmental and municipal level.
At each level, councilors are elected for a six-year term by direct election, and it is they who in turn elect the President of the Regional Council, the President of the Departmental Council, and the local Mayor.
Municipalities (communes) may join forces with each other to form intermunicipal bodies (communautés de communes, or communautés d’agglomération). Since 2014, the latter may be formed in mainland France to jointly conduct economic, transport, university, research, and innovation policy.
| Administrative body | Number | Principal responsibilities |
| Regional Council | 13 |
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| Departmental Council | 101 including five overseas départements (DOM) |
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| Municipality (or communauté de communes or métropole) | 35,416 in mainland France and its overseas territories, plus a further hundred in overseas local authorities and in New Caledonia |
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There are five overseas local authorities: Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna, French Polynesia, Saint Barthélemy and Saint-Martin. Each one has its own specific organization and responsibilities.