The government of France

The French government is divided into various levels, ministries and sections, below you will find a list of the most important ones.

A simplified hierarchy of the governing power in France is as follows:

  • The President of France is Emmanuel Macron, elected 7th March 2017
  • The Senat with a body of Senators are elected by the mayors
  • The Parliament, elected by enrolled electors of French nationality
  • Regional council
  • County council
  • Town council

Please note that as the French government is decentralizing its power, many town councils are grouping together to form what is called Communauté de Communes.

Elections of the various governing bodies

The President of France is voted into power after an election which is based on two voting polls. The first poll allows the first two candidates with the most votes to go to the second poll. The second poll will be won by the candidate with the most votes.
Votes must be French citizens and already enrolled on the electoral list.
To become a candidate you must be an French citizen and obtain at least 100 signatures from different mayors.

The Senat (house of Senators) have the role of validating law proposed by the parliament. The members of the Senat are elected by the mayors.


Government ministries

The French government is divided into various ministries, these can be created, changed or removed by the President.

  • Ministère des Affaires étrangères et du développement international ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/ ) : Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development
  • Ministère de L'Environnement, de L'Energie et de La Mer ( https://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of Environment, Energy and Sea
  • Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche ( https://www.education.gouv.fr/ ): Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research
  • Ministère des Finances et des Comptes publics (https://www.economie.gouv.fr/les-ministeres/directions-ministere-finances-comptes-publics ) : Ministry of Finances
  • Ministère des Affaires sociales et de la Santé ( https://social-sante.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
  • Ministère de la Défense ( https://www.defense.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of Defense
  • Ministère de la Justice ( https://www.justice.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of Justice
  • Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi, de la Formation professionnelle et du Dialogue social ( travail-emploi.gouv.fr ) : Ministry of Work, Employment, Work Experience, Social
  • Ministère de l’Aménagement du territoire, de la Ruralité et des Collectivités territoriales : Ministry of territorial and countryside development, territorial collectivity
  • Ministère de l'Intérieur ( https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of the Interior
  • Ministère de l’Agriculture, de l’Agroalimentaire et de la Forêt ( https://agriculture.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of Agriculture, food industry and forest
  • Ministère du Logement et de l’Habitat durable ( https://www.logement.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of Housing and territorial equality
  • Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Industrie et du Numérique ( http://www.economie.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of Economy, Industry and Numeric
  • Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication ( https://www.culturecommunication.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of Culture and Communication
  • Ministère des Familles, de l’Enfance et des Droits des femmes ( https://www.familles-enfance-droitsdesfemmes.gouv.fr/ ) ; Ministry of Families, Children and Women's Rights
  • Ministère de la Fonction publique ( https://www.fonction-publique.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of Civil Service
  • Ministère de la Ville, de la Jeunesse et des Sports ( https://www.sports.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of City Development,Youth and Sports
  • Ministère des Outre-Mer ( https://www.outre-mer.gouv.fr/ ) : Ministry of Overseas

French Embassies

Ambassade de France : French Embassy in the USA
Ambassade de France en Irlande : Eire
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