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Government of France

The Government of France (French: gouvernement français), officially the Government of the French Republic (Gouvernement de la République française [ɡuvɛʁnəmɑ̃ la ʁepyblik fʁɑ̃sɛːz]), exercises executive power in France. It is composed of the prime minister, who is the head of government, as well as both senior and junior ministers.

This article is about the collective executive of France. For the entire governing system of France, see Politics of France. For the current government of France, see Attal government.

Government of the French Republic

4 October 1958 (Fifth Republic)

299.7 billion[1]

gouvernement.fr (in French)

The Council of Ministers, the main executive organ of the government, was established in the Constitution in 1958. Its members meet weekly at the Élysée Palace in Paris. The meetings are presided over by the president of France, the head of state, although the officeholder is not a member of the government.


The government's most senior ministers are titled as ministers of state (ministres d'État), followed in protocol order by ministers (ministres), ministers delegate (ministres délégués), whereas junior ministers are titled as secretaries of state (secrétaires d'État). All members of the government, who are appointed by the president following the recommendation of the prime minister, are responsible to the National Assembly, the lower house of the French Parliament. Cases of ministerial misconduct are tried before the Cour de Justice de la République.

(French: ministres d'État) are senior ministers and are members of the Council of Ministers. It is an honorary rank, granted to some Ministers as a sign of prestige.

Ministers of state

Ministers (: Ministres) are senior ministers and are members of the Council of Ministers. They lead government ministries.

French

(French: secrétaires d'État) are junior ministers. This is the lowest rank in the French ministerial hierarchy. Secretaries work directly under a minister, or sometimes directly under the prime minister. While the Council of Ministers does not include secretaries of state as members, secretaries may attend meetings of the Council if their portfolio is up for discussion.

Secretaries of state

All members of the French government are appointed by the president of the Republic on the advice of the prime minister.[2] Members of the government are ranked in a precise order, which is established at the time of government formation. In this hierarchy, the prime minister is the head of government. They are appointed by the president of the Republic. While the president is constitutionally free to appoint whomever they like, in practice, they must nominate a candidate that reflects the will of the majority of the National Assembly, as the government relies on the confidence of the French Parliament.[3] After being nominated to lead a government, the prime minister nominee must propose a list of ministers to the president. The president can either accept or reject these proposed ministers. Ministers are ranked by importance:

Separation of powers[edit]

Members of the French government cannot occupy any position of occupational or trade leadership at the national level, any public employment, or any professional activity.[10] These restrictions are in place to alleviate external pressure and influence on ministers, and to enable them to focus on their governmental work. Despite these restrictions, members of the government are allowed to keep local elected positions, such as those of city mayor or regional councilor. Whilst the Constitution of the French Republic does not prohibit ministers from being the leader of a political party, it is customary that ministers should not occupy such a post.


The government is responsible to the French Parliament. In particular, the government must assume responsibility for its actions before the National Assembly, and the National Assembly can dismiss the government with a motion of censure.[11] The government cannot function during the tenure of acting (interim) president, as that position is granted either to the president of the Senate or the prime minister, compromising separation of powers. If the government decides to launch an armed operation with a duration of longer than four months, it must first consult parliament and request an authorization.[12] The prime minister may convene parliament for extraordinary sessions, or add additional sitting days to the legislative calendar.[13]

Ministry of the Interior

Ministry of Justice

Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Armed Forces

Ministry for Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local Government

Ministry for Solidarity and Health

Ministry of Economics and Finance

Ministry of the Ecological Transition

Ministry of Culture

Ministry of Labour, Employment and Economic Inclusion

Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sport

Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Ministry of Public Sector Transformation and the Civil Service

Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation

Ministry for Overseas France

(in French)

Official website