What is the fifth republic?

It was established on 4 October 1958, replacing the Fourth Republic, which had been in force since 1946. The Fifth Republic is characterised by a strong executive presidency and a more stable political system than its predecessor.

The main features of the Fifth Republic are:

- A strong executive presidency: The President of the Republic is the head of state and government and is elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term. He or she appoints the Prime Minister and has the power to dissolve the National Assembly.

- A more stable political system: The Fourth Republic was plagued by frequent changes of government, but the Fifth Republic has provided France with a more stable political system. This is due in part to the strong powers of the President and the increased role of the Prime Minister.

The Fifth Republic has been revised several times since its inception, most notably in 1962 and 2000. The most significant change made in 1962 was the direct election of the President of the Republic. In 2000, the seven-year term of office of the President was reduced to five years.

The Fifth Republic is a successful political system that has provided France with a stable and prosperous democracy. It is a model for many other countries around the world.