Tthe presidential election in france

The presidential election in France elects the president of the Republic for a five year mandate.
This mandate is called a "quinquennat"

Before 2002, the president was elected for a "septennat", that is to say a seven-year mandate. The first French president was Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte and today he is Nicolas Sarkozy.

The Presidential elections are direct elections. A first ballot is organized during which the electors have to choose between several candidates.
If a candidate gets the absolute majority. He is elected after the first ballot.
On the contrary if it is not the case, a second ballot is organized during which electors have to choose between the candidates who have got the greatest number of votes.
The results of the ballots are announced by the constitutional Council who counts the votes.

The Presidential elections are opened to electors who meet the following conditions:
- being 18 years old the day of the election.
- having the French nationality.
- being registered an electoral roll.