Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President : Emmanuel Macron (since 14 May 2017; re-elected for a second term on 24 April 2022)
Prime Minister: Élisabeth Borne (since 16 May 2022)

Next Election Dates

Presidential elections: April 2027
Senate: September 2023
National Assembly: June 2027

Current Political Context

As the polls predicted, the 2022 presidential elections resulted in a duel between President Emmanuel Macron (La République En Marche, centre-liberal party) and Marine Le Pen (Rassemblement National, far right), amid failed attempts to unify the left. In April 2022, Macron was re-elected for an additional 5-year term, but abstention reached a 50 year record, and Le Pen managed to gather 41.46% of the votes. As Macron’s Ensemble! (Together) coalition lost its parliamentary majority at the legislative election in June, policymaking has become more challenging, with bills likely to be passed by decree. The biggest policy challenge is the program to reform the pension system (abolition of special regimes), that previously triggered a large-scale national strike and could lead to social unrest.

On the international scene, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dominated current affairs. Macron multiplied diplomatic efforts to find a resolution to the conflict and plead for peace during talks with Russian President Vladimir. In November 2022 on the sidelines of the G20 meetings, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and the two sides reaffirmed their opposition to the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. In December, U.S. President Joe Biden invited Macron at a State Dinner, demonstrating his unity with France and NATO members against Moscow's invasion. This visit was also an opportunity for Macron to raise the issue of Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, a USD 430 billion bill that offers massive subsidies for U.S.-made products. The war lead to a global food and energy crisis and supporting purchasing power is a priority. In August, the French government approved a EUR 20 billion package of measures to help households cope with inflation.

Main Political Parties

- The Socialist Party (PS): centre-left
- The Republicans: centre-right
- En Marche: centre, new liberal political movement founded by Emmanuel Macron
- National Rally (RN): far-right; first parliamentary representation in 1997 and gaining support amid growing voter scepticism towards the EU
- The Left Front(FDG): left to far-left
- The Democratic Movement (MoDem): centrist
- Europe Ecology - The Greens (EELV): emphasises ecology and peaceful and sustainable lifestyles
- La France Insoumise (Unbowed France) (FI): far-left
- French Communist Party (PCF): communism, soft euro-scepticism

Executive Power

The President of the Republic is the Head of State. He/She is elected by direct universal suffrage for five years. He/She appoints the Prime Minister and his/her Government at the suggestion of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister sets the amount of the State's expenses and revenue, and prepares some bills.

Legislative Power

The parliament is composed of the Senate and the National Assembly. The 348 senators are elected by indirect universal suffrage for nine years, renewable by a one-third majority vote every three years. The 577 deputies (MPs) are elected by direct universal suffrage. They examine bills and private bills successively, vote laws and monitor the Government. The economic, social and environmental council has an advisory function (optional or compulsory) within the framework of the legislative process.

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

World Rank:

34/180

Indicator of Political Freedom

Ranking:

Free

Political Freedom:

1/7

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House