How are presidential elections held in France?

Presidential elections in France take place every five years through a direct popular vote. The election process follows these key steps

Candidate Selection in French Presidential Elections

To run for president in France, candidates must meet several legal and procedural requirements. The selection process includes the following steps:

1. Eligibility Criteria

To be a presidential candidate in France, a person must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be a French citizen.
• Be registered on the electoral list.
• Meet legal conditions regarding political rights and integrity (e.g., no criminal disqualifications).

2. 500 Endorsements (Parrainages)

• Candidates must obtain at least 500 official endorsements (parrainages) from elected representatives.
• Endorsements can come from mayors, members of parliament, regional and departmental councilors, and other officials.
• There are about 42,000 eligible endorsers, but each can support only one candidate.
• Endorsements must come from at least 30 different departments or overseas territories, with no more than 10% from a single area.

3. Submission and Verification

• Endorsements are submitted to the Constitutional Council, which verifies their authenticity.
• The final list of candidates is officially published.

4. Financial Requirements

• Candidates must open a campaign bank account and follow strict financial transparency rules.
• There is a legal limit on campaign spending (varies by election).
• The government provides partial reimbursement for campaign expenses, but only if candidates meet certain vote thresholds.

5. Declaration and Campaigning

• Once approved, candidates officially declare their campaign platform and begin their electoral campaign.
• All candidates receive equal media time on public television and radio to ensure fairness.

This process ensures that only serious and widely supported candidates can run for the presidency, maintaining stability and democratic legitimacy in French elections.

Voting System in French Presidential Elections

The French presidential election follows a two-round majority voting system (runoff system), ensuring that the elected president has broad support. Here’s how it works:

1. First Round (Premier Tour)

• All approved candidates appear on the ballot.
• French citizens vote for one candidate of their choice.
• If a candidate wins more than 50% of the votes, they are immediately elected without a second round.
• If no candidate secures an absolute majority, the two candidates with the most votes advance to the second round.

2. Second Round (Second Tour)

• The second round takes place two weeks after the first round.
• Only the top two candidates from the first round compete.
• The candidate who receives the most votes (simple majority) is elected as President of France.

Voting Process

• Direct Universal Suffrage: Every French citizen aged 18 and over can vote.
• Secret Ballot: Voting is confidential, and ballots are cast in person or via proxy voting.
• Overseas Voting: French citizens living abroad can vote at consulates.
• Compulsory Voting? No, voting is not mandatory in France, but turnout is usually high.

Key Features

• The two-round system prevents extreme candidates from winning with a small percentage of votes.
• The runoff ensures that the president is elected with a broad majority of voter support.
• This system has been in place since 1965, when France began direct presidential elections under the Fifth Republic.

This method ensures a strong democratic legitimacy, giving voters a second chance to decide between the two most popular candidates.

Second Round of the French Presidential Election

The second round of the French presidential election occurs if no candidate secures more than 50% of the votes in the first round. It is designed to ensure that the elected president has a clear majority of public support.

1. Who Competes in the Second Round?

• Only the two candidates with the most votes from the first round advance.
• Candidates eliminated in the first round may endorse one of the remaining candidates or remain neutral.

2. How Does Voting Work?

• The second round takes place two weeks after the first round.
• French citizens vote again, choosing between the two remaining candidates.
• The candidate who receives the most votes (simple majority) is elected President of France.

3. Electoral Participation & Turnout

• Turnout is often high, as voters must choose between the final two options.
• Many voters who supported eliminated candidates in the first round may decide to vote strategically in the second round.
• Sometimes, there is a phenomenon called “vote blanc” (blank vote), where people submit empty ballots as a form of protest.

4. Final Results & Inauguration

• The Constitutional Council verifies the results and officially declares the winner.
• The newly elected president takes office shortly after, during a formal handover ceremony at the Élysée Palace.

Key Features of the Second Round

Ensures Majority Rule – The elected president has broad support.
Prevents Fragmentation – Eliminates the possibility of a candidate winning with a low percentage.
Encourages Political Alliances – Eliminated candidates often negotiate with the finalists to influence policies.

This system has been in place since 1965, reinforcing the legitimacy of France’s presidential elections.

Inauguration and Start of Term in the French Presidential System

The newly elected President of France takes office following a formal inauguration ceremony, marking the official transition of power. The process is as follows:

1. Official Announcement of Results

• The Constitutional Council verifies and proclaims the final election results.
• The results are officially published in the Journal Officiel de la République Française (Official Journal of the French Republic).

2. Handover Ceremony (Passation de Pouvoir)

• The outgoing president welcomes the newly elected president at the Élysée Palace.
• A private meeting takes place, during which state secrets (such as nuclear codes) are transferred.
• The outgoing president formally leaves the palace, and the new president assumes office.

3. Official Inauguration (Cérémonie d’Investiture)

• The new president receives the collar of the Grand Master of the Legion of Honor, the highest French distinction.
• The inauguration speech is delivered to outline the president’s vision for the country.
• A 21-gun salute is fired at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris.

4. First Presidential Actions

• The new president appoints a Prime Minister, who then forms a government.
• The first Council of Ministers meeting is held to set the administration’s priorities.
• The president may issue early executive orders or make diplomatic statements.

5. Term Duration and Limits

• The French president serves a five-year term (quinquennat).
• They can seek one consecutive re-election (maximum two terms in a row).
• If the president resigns or is unable to serve, the President of the Senate takes over temporarily until new elections are held.

Symbolism and Democratic Legitimacy

• The inauguration represents a peaceful transfer of power.
• It emphasizes continuity, stability, and democratic principles.
• It is one of the most important political events in France, widely covered by the media.

This formal process ensures a smooth transition and the immediate start of the new government’s work.