Prime Minister of France

Prime Minister of the French Republic
Incumbent François Fillon since 17 May 2007
Residence	Hôtel Matignon
Appointer	Nicolas Sarkozy, as President of the Republic
Term length	No term limit
Inaugural holder	Michel Debré, 8 January 1959
Formation	Constitution of the Fifth Republic, 4 October 1958
Website	www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr

France

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of France

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The Prime Minister of France (Premier ministre français) in the Fifth Republic is the head of government and of the Council of Ministers of France. The head of state is the President of the French Republic. During the Second, Third and Fourth Republics, the Head of Government was called President of the Council of Ministers (Président du Conseil des Ministres), generally shortened to President of the Council (Président du Conseil).

Function

The prime minister proposes the list of other ministers to the president. Decrees and decisions of the prime minister, like almost all executive decisions, are subject to the oversight of the administrative court system. Few decrees are taken after advice from the conseil.

All prime ministers defend the programs of their ministry, and make budgetary choices. The extent to which those decisions lie with the prime minister or president depends upon whether they are of the same party.

Because prime ministers are completely in control of government policy, they are generally blamed for the government's failings.

Nomination

The prime minister is named by the President of the Republic. Because the National Assembly can, by a vote of censure, force the resignation of the government, the choice of prime minister must reflect the majority in the Assembly. The situation where the president and the prime minister are from opposing parties is called cohabitation.

Prime ministers are normally chosen from amongst the ranks of the National Assembly. However, on rare occasions, the prime minister is a non-officeholder selected by the President of France because of bureaucratic experience, foreign service, or success in business management. Dominique de Villepin, for example, served as prime minister from 2005 to 2007 without ever having held elected office.

Only one woman has ever held the position, Édith Cresson.

Present

The current Prime Minister of France is François Fillon, who was appointed by President Nicolas Sarkozy on 17 May 2007.

See also

• List of Prime Ministers of France
• Hôtel Matignon