Internet country code :. With an area of , sq km, including Corsica and the small coastal islands, France is the largest country in Western Europe. It has a population of 53 million , and its capital is Paris. France is a republic whose existing constitution was approved by a referendum on Sept.
Changes and amendments were introduced in , , , , and The state system established by the constitution is known as the Fifth Republic. The chief of state is the president, elected for a seven-year term by direct universal suffrage.
To be elected, a presidential candidate must receive an absolute majority of the votes cast. If no candidate receives such a majority on the first ballot, a second ballot is held. Only the two candidates who received the largest number of votes on the first ballot may stand for the second ballot. All the presidents of the Fifth Republic have been elected by this system on the second ballot.
The constitution gives the president broad powers. He appoints and dismisses the premier and members of the government. He may submit to a referendum proposed laws or other issues, and he has the right to dissolve parliament. The president appoints all the higher civilian and military officials, serves as the supreme commander in chief of the armed forces, and has the right of pardon. The highest legislative body is a bicameral parliament consisting of the National Assembly deputies and the Senate senators, as of September The National Assembly is popularly elected for five years under a system requiring an absolute majority in two ballots.
The Senate is indirectly elected for nine years, with one-third of the seats being renewed every three years. In departments with five or more senators elections are held under the system of proportional representation. Each department is represented in the College of Electors by its deputies to the National Assembly, its members of the general council, and delegates from its municipal councils.
