The president of France is the head of state of France, elected by popular vote for five years.
The first officeholder is considered to be Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, who was elected in 1848 but provoked the 1851 self-coup to later proclaim himself emperor as Napoleon III. His coup, which proved popular as he sought the restoration of universal male suffrage previously abolished by the legislature, granted the newly-established Second Empire firm ground.
A republican regime was given way again in 1870 through the Third Republic, after the fall of Napoleon III. A 1962 referendum held under the Fifth Republic at the request of President Charles de Gaulle transferred the election of the president of France from an electoral college to a popular vote. Since then, ten presidential elections have taken place. The 25th and current officeholder has been Emmanuel Macron since 14 May 2017.
First Republic (1792–1804)
National Convention
The National Convention (20 September 1792 – 26 October 1795) was led by the President of the National Convention; the presidency rotated fortnightly.
From 1793 the National Convention was dominated by its Committee of Public Safety, in which the leading figures were Georges Danton and then Maximilien Robespierre.
Directory
The Directory was officially led by a president, as stipulated by Article 141 of the Constitution of the Year III. An entirely ceremonial post, the first president was Jean-François Rewbell, who was chosen by lot on 2 November 1795. The Directors conducted their elections privately, with the presidency rotating every three months. The last President was Louis-Jérôme Gohier.
The leading figure of the Directory was Paul Barras, the only director to serve throughout the Directory.
- Political parties
Centre (Thermidorians) Right-wing (Clichyens) Left-wing (Montagnards) Other (Maraisards)
After the Coup of 18 Brumaire (9 November 1799), Barras, Ducos, and Sieyès resigned.
Moulin and Gohier, refusing to resign, were arrested by General Moreau.
Consulate
Napoléon Bonaparte proclaimed himself Emperor of the French in 1804, reigning as Emperor Napoleon I 1804–1814 (First French Empire) and 1815 (Hundred Days).
The monarchy was restored 1814–1815 and 1815–1830 (Bourbon Restoration); again 1830–1848 (July Monarchy).
Second Republic (1848–1852)
President of the Provisional Government of the Republic
- Political parties
Moderate Republicans
President of the Executive Commission
- Political parties
Moderate Republicans
Chief of the Executive Power
- Political parties
Moderate Republicans
President of the Republic
- Political parties
Bonapartist
Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte proclaimed himself Emperor of the French in 1852, reigning as Emperor Napoleon III 1852–1870 (Second French Empire).
Third Republic (1870–1940)
President of the Government of National Defense
- Political parties
Monarchist
Chief of the Executive Power
- Political parties
Independent
Presidents of the Republic
- Political parties
Monarchist
Moderate Republican
Democratic Republican Alliance; Democratic Republican Party; Social and Republican Democratic Party; Democratic Alliance
Radical-Socialist and Radical Republican Party
Independent
The office of President of the French Republic did not exist from 1940 until 1947.
French State (1940–1944)
Chief of State
Government-in-exile (1940–1944)
President of the French National Committee
Provisional Government of the French Republic (1944–1946)
Chairmen of the Provisional Government
Political parties Socialist (SFIO) Centre-right (MRP)
Fourth Republic (1946–1958)
Presidents
Political parties
Socialist (SFIO) Centre-right (CNIP)
Fifth Republic (1958–present)
Presidents
Political parties: Centre-left (PS) (2) Centrist (RE) (1) Centre-right (CD; RI; PR; UDF) (1) Gaullist (UNR; UDR) (2) Neo-Gaullist (RPR; UMP; LR) (2)
Timeline
See also
- List of presidents of France by tenure
- List of prime ministers of France
References
