Institutions and the political system

Revision sheet — Institutions and the political system

This topic accounts for 6 of the 40 questions. The official programme (the référentiel of the decree of 10 October 2025) splits it into three sub-topics: democracy and the right to vote (3 questions), organisation of the French Republic (2 questions) and the European Union (1 question). Above all, remember the key roles and figures. This sheet covers the whole of the programme.

The essentials in 30 seconds

• France is a state governed by the rule of law: the law applies to everyone, including the State.
• The President of the Republic is elected for 5 years by direct universal suffrage.
• The Parliament (National Assembly + Senate) votes the law; the Constitution is that of the Fifth Republic (1958).
• France is a founding member of the European Union.

1. Democracy and the right to vote (3 questions)

• The rule of law: the law stands above everyone and binds all, including the public authorities.
• Separation of powers — executive (president and government, who apply the law), legislative (Parliament, which votes the law), judicial (independent judges, who administer justice).
• The right to vote — reserved for citizens of French nationality, of legal age (18) and enjoying their civil and political rights.
• Voting is free, secret, personal and equal (one person = one vote).
• Pluralism — the existence of several political parties is a necessary condition of democracy.

2. Organisation of the French Republic (2 questions)

The executive

• The President of the Republic: elected for 5 years by direct universal suffrage; appoints the Prime Minister, chairs the Council of Ministers, is head of the armed forces and can dissolve the National Assembly.
• The government: led by the Prime Minister, it conducts the policy of the Nation and is accountable to the National Assembly.

The legislature

• The National Assembly — 577 deputies, elected by direct universal suffrage (the Assembly has the final say).
• The Senate — elected by indirect suffrage. Together they form Parliament, which votes the law and oversees the government.

Other institutions and levels

• The Constitutional Council (ensures the Constitution is respected), the Rights Defender (to contact in cases of discrimination), the Bank of France, the courts.
• Local authorities: the commune (the mayor), the department and the region, each with its own local competences.
• Elections: presidential, legislative, municipal, European… each with its own term length.

3. The European Union (1 question)

• France is a founding member of the EU (Treaty of Rome, 1957; European Union since the Maastricht Treaty, 1992).
• Symbols: the blue flag with twelve stars and the anthem (Ode to Joy).
• Institutions: the European Parliament (elected by citizens), the Council of the EU and the European Commission.
• Principles: European citizenship, free movement, economic cooperation; the common currency is the euro.
• An EU citizen residing in France may vote in municipal and European elections.

Common mistakes

• Saying the president is elected for 7 years: it has been 5 years since 2002.
• Confusing the National Assembly (deputies) with the Senate (senators).
• Forgetting the question on the European Union (symbols, institutions).

Tip: memorise the key figures (5 years, 577 deputies, 1958), then practise with the timed mock exam.