Système institutionnel et politique
24 questions explained
Qui nomme le Premier ministre ?
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Our answer: Le président de la République
The President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister, as Article 8 of the Constitution states. Parliament does not choose the Prime Minister; it can only bring the Government down through a motion of no confidence.
Le Parlement est composé :
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Our answer: de deux chambres : l'Assemblée nationale et le Sénat
The French Parliament has two chambers: the National Assembly, with deputies, and the Senate, with senators. The President and ministers belong to the executive branch, not to Parliament.
Qu'est-ce que le pouvoir exécutif ? Le pouvoir :
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Our answer: qui applique la loi
The executive power applies the law. It is exercised by the President of the Republic and the Government. Voting laws is the role of the legislative power, meaning Parliament.
A-t-on le droit de ne pas respecter une loi ?
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Our answer: Non, tout le monde doit respecter la loi, y compris l'État
In France the law is the same for everyone, including the State. Citizens must obey the law. A minister who breaks it can also be punished.
Qui doit respecter la loi ?
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Our answer: Tout le monde
Everyone must obey the law, because laws guarantee public order and everyone's safety. The police and gendarmerie enforce the law, but they are not the only ones who must obey it.
Quel est le rôle de l'autorité judiciaire ?
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Our answer: Contrôler l'application des lois
The judicial authority checks how laws are applied. Voting laws is the Parliament's job. Running the Administration and conducting national policy belong to the President and the Government.
L'autorité judiciaire est exercée par :
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Our answer: Les juges et les magistrats
The judicial authority is exercised by judges and magistrates, who are recruited by competitive exam. Deputies and senators vote laws, and the Government applies them, so they do not form the judicial authority.
Que se passe-t-il si un ministre ne respecte pas la loi ?
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Our answer: Il peut être sanctionné comme tout citoyen
A minister is not above the law. If a minister breaks it, they can be punished like any citizen. This follows from the separation of powers: the powers check each other.
Qui est élu lors des élections législatives ?
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Our answer: Les députés de l'Assemblée nationale
In legislative elections, voters elect the deputies of the National Assembly, normally every 5 years. Municipal councillors are elected in municipal elections, and members of the European Parliament in European elections.
Combien de députés composent l’Assemblée nationale ?
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Our answer: 577 députés
The National Assembly has 577 deputies, elected by direct vote every 5 years. The number 348 is the number of senators, who sit in the Senate, the other chamber of Parliament.
Qui est élu lors des élections présidentielles ?
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Our answer: Le président de la République
Presidential elections elect the President of the Republic, every 5 years. Members of the European Parliament are elected in the European elections. The presidents of the parliamentary assemblies are chosen by other procedures.
À partir de quel âge a-t-on le droit de voter ?
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Our answer: 18 ans
You can vote from the age of 18. Since 1974 this has replaced 21, which was the former voting age. So 21 is no longer correct today.
Pour combien de temps est élu le président de la République française ?
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Our answer: 5 ans
The President of the Republic is elected for five years by direct universal suffrage. The president cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. The other durations offered are wrong.
Pour combien de temps sont élus les sénateurs ?
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Our answer: 6 ans
Senators are elected for 6 years, by electors through indirect vote. Deputies, on the other hand, are elected for 5 years by direct vote.
Quelle condition est nécessaire pour voter aux élections ?
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Our answer: Être inscrit sur les listes électorales
To vote, you must be registered on the electoral rolls. You must also be at least 18, but no degree or property ownership is required, and the minimum age is not 40.
La séparation des pouvoirs est un principe fondamental. Quels sont les trois pouvoirs concernés ?
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Our answer: Législatif, exécutif et judiciaire
The three powers are the legislative (Parliament votes laws), the executive (the Government applies the law) and the judicial (the courts oversee the application of laws).
Qui sanctionne l'auteur d'un vol ?
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Our answer: Le juge
Penalties are imposed by a judge, depending on how serious the offence is. Theft is an offence punished by criminal justice. A mayor, a bank manager or a Parliament president does not punish theft.
Qui vote les lois ?
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Our answer: Le Parlement
In France, Parliament votes the laws. The Government applies and enforces the law, and judges check its application. These powers are not held by the same people.
Combien y a-t-il de départements en France ?
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Our answer: 101
France has 101 départements. The other figures are not the number of départements, so they can be ruled out.
Qui représente l'État dans un département ?
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Our answer: Le préfet
The prefect represents the State in the département and directs State services. The mayor is elected and leads the commune, not the département.
Qui dirige la commune ?
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Our answer: Des personnes élues, dont le maire
The commune is run by elected people, including the mayor. The prefect does not run the commune: the prefect represents the State and directs State services in the département.
Qui est le préfet ?
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Our answer: Le représentant de l'État dans le département
The prefect represents the State in the département and directs State services there. The prefect deals with neither justice nor the army, so is not a judge. The prefect is also not an elected mayor.
Quel est le régime politique de la France aujourd'hui ?
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Our answer: La Vème République
Since 1958, France's political system has been the Fifth Republic. The Fourth and First Republics are earlier regimes, and absolute monarchy ended with the Revolution period.
Qui élit les députés européens ?
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Our answer: Les citoyens de l'Union européenne
European members of Parliament are elected by the citizens of the European Union, every five years. Neither ministers nor the Council of the European Union choose them. EU citizens living in France can also vote.