The next presidential election in France will be the twelfth of the Fifth Republic. The first round is scheduled for April 10, 2022, except in the event of the resignation or death of the current president. If no candidate wins an absolute majority, the second round of elections will be held on April 24, 2022.
Officially, more than 20 candidates have already declared themselves for this election, which will take place in a few months. Indeed, to present his candidacy in France, several conditions must be met. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this blog and learn everything you ought to know about the French presidential election.
Who can apply?
To be a candidate in the French presidential election, a person must, above all, be a French citizen aged 18 or over. He or she must have a campaign bank account and make a declaration of assets and liabilities. The candidate must also have fulfilled the obligations imposed by the national service code. On the other hand, a person under guardianship or curatorship cannot run as a candidate in the French presidential election.
The same is true for a person who is deprived of civic rights concerning eligibility. In order to validate a candidacy, the person in question must collect 500 sponsorships from parliamentarians from 30 different departments. Finally, according to article 6 of the French constitution, a president of the Republic cannot exceed two consecutive mandates. Therefore, a candidate may not run for a third time if he or she has already been president during the last two terms preceding the election.
When and how will the election take place?
According to the French constitution, in article 7, the first round of the presidential election must be held within 20 to 35 days before the end of the incumbent president’s term. In the event that no president achieves an absolute majority of votes, the next round must be held two weeks later.
Since the current president, Emmanuel Macron, was elected on May 14, 2017, his term will end on May 13, 2022. If he is not elected, again, President of the Republic of France, the transfer of power with his successor must take place, at the latest, on this end-of-term date.
Are the dates fixed?
Two dates have been set for the next French presidential election. Either the first round will take place on April 10, 2022, and a possible second round on April 24, 2022, or they will take place on April 17 and May 1, 2022. The second dates seem the most natural because the first ones both fall on public holidays, which could reinforce the abstention of the French voters. However, the first suggestions of dates were retained during the Councils of Ministers held on July 13, 2021.
What happens in the event of death?
Although the date for the next French presidential election has already been set, it may be postponed or canceled in the event of the death or incapacity of one of the candidates. First, if a person who has already publicly announced his or her candidacy is prevented from running or dies, the Constitutional Council may decide to postpone the election. In this first case, the decision of the Constitutional Council to postpone is optional.
If this period has passed, a few days before the first round, the election must be postponed according to the procedures following the death or impediment of one of the candidates. Finally, if one of the two candidates elected for a second round dies before the election, “all the electoral operations must be carried out again,” according to the Constitutional Council. On the other hand, in case of vacancy or death of the current president of the Republic, the president of the Senate temporarily assumes his functions.
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