L’Élection Présidentiel!

Qui sera le nouveau président de la République Française?

Requirements for Candidacy

Must be a French citizen. Must be at least 18 years old. Must complete the following 3 procedures:

Must obtain at least 500 signatures from elected officials supporting the candidate.

Signature does not necessarily mean one supports the candidate’s platform, rather only that he/she is a serious candidate.

Does not need the support of the party they represent (at least not initially). Submit a detail account of personal property/assets. Submit campaign accounts 2 months prior to elections.

This is the 9th election of the 5th Republic (1958 de Gaulle) President is voted for directly by the people, not an electoral college. Campaigning is limited to 30 days.

Brief Explanation of the French Government

Division of Power

3 Branches of Government Executive: President &

Prime Minister Legislative: Parliament

consisting of National Assembly and Senate

Judicial

President’s Power

Appointment of Prime Minister Recourse to referendum on the

proposal of the Government or on the joint proposal of the two Assemblies.

The right to dissolve the National Assembly

The right to deliver messages to the parliamentary assemblies

Appointment of three members to the Constitutional Council, including its President The right of referral to the Constitutional Council

Additional Powers Include… The French President has the power to make regulations He appoints ministers and terminates their appointment on the proposal of the Prime Minister. He signs the ordinances and decrees deliberated upon in the Council of Ministers He makes appointments to the civil and military posts of the State He may call an extraordinary session of Parliament at the request of the Government or of a

majority of deputies He has the right to grant pardon The French President appoints ambassadors He negotiates and ratifies treaties The French President has the duty to promulgate Acts of Parliament within fifteen days following

the final adoption of an Act and its transmission to the Government. Before the expiry of this time limit, he may ask Parliament to reconsider the Act or certain of its sections. This reconsideration may not be refused).

He chairs the Council of Ministers He chairs the Higher Council of the Judiciary As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he chairs the higher national defense councils and

committees

Prime Minister’s Power

Head of the president’s cabinet or gouvernement.

Élysée Palace55 rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, Paris Official residence for the

French president. Built in 1718 as a private

residence. Used by the government of

Napoléon Bonaparte, it was officially purchased in 1816 as the residence of the restored monarchy of Louis XVIII.

Has remained the official residence of French leaders.

Other Official Residences of the Republic Chateau de Rambouillet

Summer residence Dates to the 14th Century.

Original castle to a medieval mannor.

Named after original owner Marquis de Rambouillet.

François I died here in 1547. Purchased by Louis XVI in

1783 as a gift for the queen. Site of the first G6 Summit in

1975.

Fort de Brégonçon

Vacation residence (since 1968) located near Marseille.

The Issues

Voter registration increased over 50% since the 2002 election—mostly immigrant citizens and first generation children Forces politicians to confront issues long ignored: racial, ethnic, and religious

discrimination. Immigration. Political scandals: Finance Minister Alain Juppé convicted for mishandling

public funds. Future direction of the European Union—2005 Constitutional vote not

achieved. Feminism: A female French president??? France’s declining status abroad. High unemployment rates—9%. Crime rates—Higher than the USA? Globalization: How will France compete?

Voting Day

April 22 & May 6: Why are there two elections??There is a run off election and only the

candidates with the top votes continue to the next round of voting in the event there is not a clear majority winner in the first round.

Reflections…

In what way is the French election process similar to that of the American process? How is it different?

How are the platforms of the French candidates similar and/or different to American candidates?

Who would you consider voting for and why?