The election system in France

France! The largest country in the EU, and the most popular tourist destination in the world. And here's Danni! Danni thinks there are too many tourists here. They are mostly in the way.

If she were to decide, then things would be different! But-- you can take part in the decision making, Danni. How? Well, you can get yourself elected. You can join a political party.

Or create your own. If enough people in your municipality vote for you, you'll be elected to the city council. ... and take part in decisions on the municipal budget, roads, and buildings... ... okay, you want do decide on more stuff. Then you could get yourself elected to the council of one of the larger areas that France is divided into -- the departments.

There are 96 departments in mainland France, and five additional ones in the old colonies. Or, get elected to the council of one of the regions. The regions are larger than the departments, and have a larger budget. What? Legislation?

No, the regions can't pass new legislation. If you want to do that, you have to go to Paris, and get involved in national politics. Here's the French national parliament, with its two chambers: The Senate and the National Assembly. If you had stayed a bit longer out in the regions, someone there might have appointed you to the Senate. Because, the senators aren't elected by the population directly.

Instead, they are indirectly elected by regional councils, mayors and other local politicians. Sooo, you'll have to get out and campaign now! Because then, you can get yourself elected to the other chamber, the National Assembly, and there you can take part in decisions on new laws, that affect all of France! What? You want to -- decide more -- yourself?

Danni -- you really want to become -- president, don't you? Thought so. Okay. The president of France is elected by the population, in a general election, held every five years. The parties run against each other, each with one candidate.

Two of the parties - the conservatives and the socialists - first run their own internal elections - primaries - to determine who should be their candidates. But you have your own party, so you can appoint yourself as the candidate of your party. ... hey, look at that! Quite a lot of people voted for you! You got the second largest share of the votes.

No, second most. You didn't win. But it's not over yet. Because, if none of the candidates get an overall majority, that is, if none get more than 50 per cent of the votes, then the two candidates with the largest shares of the votes move on to a second ballot. Now, the people can vote again, and they get to choose between those who came first and second.

And look, Danni, you won! Now you're the president of France! You're the head of state, and commander in chief. And it's you who decides if you are to use nuclear weapons. (please, don't!) But most importantly: it's you who appoints the prime minister... and all the other ministers in the cabinet - the entire government!

But, you can't appoint exactly whomever you want. Because if you choose someone the National Assembly doesn't accept, then they can force the resignation of that minister. So, the amount of power you get as president, is largely influenced by the result of the election to the National Assembly. And you can't change any laws on your own either, for that you need to get both the Senate and the National Assembly to agree with you. Is it frustrating that parliament also has a say in decisions?

Mmmm, but that's how a democracy works. No single person is supposed to get too much power on her own. But, if it really doesn't work out between you and parliament, you do have the opportunity to dissolve the National Assembly. Then people will have to go and vote again - there's a new election. And if you're lucky, people will elect a new, more cooperative National Assembly for you.

What? Those tourists? Nah, you'll just have to get used to them.