Constitution of the Fifth French Republic 1958, as amended to 2008
Head of State
  • English
    The President of the Republic shall ensure due respect for the Constitution. He shall ensure, by his arbitration, the proper functioning of the public authorities and the continuity of the State.
    He shall be the guarantor of national independence, territorial integrity and due respect for Treaties. (1958 Constitution, Art. 5)
  • French
    Le Président de la République veille au respect de la Constitution. Il assure, par son arbitrage, le fonctionnement régulier des pouvoirs publics ainsi que la continuité de l'État.
    Il est le garant de l'indépendance nationale, de l'intégrité du territoire et du respect des traités. (Constitution 1958, Art. 5)
Head of State
  • English
    The President of the Republic shall be elected for a term of five years by direct universal suffrage.
    … (1958 Constitution, Art. 6)
  • French
    Le Président de la République est élu pour cinq ans au suffrage universel direct.
    … (Constitution 1958, Art. 6)
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Constitution of France 1958, as amended to 2008 (English). The constitutional order of France is made up of different texts. According to the Preamble of the 1958 Constitution: "The French people solemnly proclaim their attachment to the Rights of Man and the principles of national sovereignty as defined by the Declaration of 1789, confirmed and complemented by the Preamble to the Constitution of 1946, and to the rights and duties as defined in the Charter for the Environment of 2004." According to Art. 2 of the 1958 Constitution: "The language of the Republic shall be French. ..."

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Constitution of France 1958, as amended to 2008 (French).

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