Presidential elections in France

Uncommon card · No. 169675

The president of France (ex officio also a co-prince of Andorra) is elected by direct popular vote to a five-year term. If the office falls vacant before the end of five years, an election to a new five-year term is held, generally within 20 to 35 days of the vacancy. In France, constitution mandates that presidents cannot be elected for more than two consecutive five-year terms. The presidential term was set at five years beginning with the 2002 election. In elections held from 1965 until 1995, the president was elected to a seven-year term. Elections are always held on a Sunday. Candidates appear on the ballot after the Constitutional Council has validated their candidacy. Should no candidate receive over 50% of the vote in the first round, a second round is organised two weeks later with the top two contenders. For their candidacy to be validated, candidates must secure a minimum of 500 endorsements (popularly known in France as the "500 signatures") from elected officials, who may...

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