How Do French Elections Work?
National Assembly Elections
Structure of the National Assembly
The French National Assembly comprises 577 seats, including 13 seats representing overseas districts and 11 constituencies representing French citizens living abroad.
Electoral System
In elections for the National Assembly, each constituency elects a single representative using a two-round majority system. In the first round, candidates who receive over 50% of the vote are elected outright. If no candidate reaches this threshold, the top two candidates proceed to a second round, where the candidate with the most votes is elected.
Presidential Elections
Two-Round Majority System
The French presidential election follows a two-round majority system. In the first round, all eligible candidates appear on the ballot. If a candidate receives an absolute majority (over 50%) of the vote, they are elected president.
Second Round Runoff
If no candidate receives an absolute majority in the first round, the top two candidates proceed to a second round runoff. The candidate who receives the most votes in the second round is elected president.
Parliamentary Elections
Legislative Power
The National Assembly, along with the Senate, forms the French Parliament, which holds legislative power. The National Assembly has the primary responsibility for passing laws and approving the government's budget.
Election Schedule
National Assembly elections are held every five years, aligning with the presidential election cycle. The next parliamentary election is scheduled for 2027.
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