França - Governo - Perfil - 2004

Capital

Paris

Independência

486 (unified by Clovis)

Feriado nacional

Bastille Day, 14 Julho (1789)

Constitución

28 Setembro 1958, emendada concerning election of president in 1962, emendada to comply with provisions of 1992 EC Maastricht Treaty, 1996 Amsterdam Treaty, 2000 Treaty of Nice; emendada to tighten immigration laws in 1993; emendada to change the seven-year presidential term to a five-year term in 2000

Sufrágio

18 anos de idade; universal

Poder Executivo

chefe do estado: Presidente Jacques CHIRAC (desde 17 May 1995)
cabeça de governo: Prime Minister Jean-Pierre RAFFARIN (desde 7 May 2002)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the suggestion of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (changed from seven-year term in October 2000); election last held 21 April and 5 May 2002 (next to be held, first round NA April 2007, second round NA May 2007); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly majority and appointed by the president
election results: Jacques CHIRAC reelected president; percent of vote, second ballot - Jacques CHIRAC (RPR) 81.96%, Jean-Marie LE PEN (FN) 18.04%