The political structure of France is a semi-presidential representative democratic republic, where the President of France is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. This system is often referred to as a mixed or dual executive model because it blends aspects of both presidential and parliamentary systems.

The President is elected directly by the public for a five-year term. The President presides over the Council of Ministers and represents the national defense. He or she also determines and conducts the nation’s foreign policy, ratifies treaties, and can dissolve the National Assembly and call for new legislative elections. The Prime Minister, appointed by the President, heads the government and is responsible for enforcing national law, subject to parliamentary control. The Prime Minister also sets government policy and directs the operation of the government.

The legislative branch is a bicameral Parliament consisting of the National Assembly (the lower house) and the Senate (the upper house). The National Assembly is the principal legislative body, and its deputies are elected for five-year terms. The Senate represents territorial collectivities and French citizens living abroad. Senators are elected by an electoral college for six-year terms, with half of the seats up for election every three years. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The highest court in the French judiciary is the Court of Cassation. There is also a Constitutional Council that reviews the constitutionality of legislation.