Within the center of Western Europe, France is characterized as an important and dynamic democracy. Its political framework combines components of both presidential and parliamentary administration. At a time when democracies face expanding polarization and declining participation, France’s election system—and the way its citizens engage with it—offers understanding into both the resilience and challenges of modern democracies.
France operates under a semi- presidential system established by the Fifth Republic’s Constitution in 1958. Power is shared between a directly elected president and a prime minister, who must have the support of the National Assembly (the lower house of the Parliament). This model allows for both stability and flexibility but can also lead to institutional tension—especially during periods of “cohabitation,” when the president and the parliamentary majority come from opposing parties.
The presidential election in France follows a two-round system: if no candidate secures an absolute majority in the first round, a second round is held between the top two. This encourages coalition-building and strategic voting. The legislative elections, which determine the composition of the National Assembly, also use a two- round format but on a constituency basis.
This system is designed to favour political legitimacy through majority support, but it can also marginalize smaller parties unless they can form strategic alliances.
The political participation in France is evolving. Voter turnout has been gradually declining, particularly in legislative elections. In the 2022 parliamentary elections, turnout dropped to just 47.5%—a historic low. Youth participation, in particular, has been inconsistent. While younger voters often express interest in political issues, many are disappointed with traditional political structures and abstain from voting.
However, France has a rich tradition of protest and civic activism, from the Yellow Vests movement (movement Gilets Jaunes) to widespread demonstrations over pension reform. For many, especially the youth, the streets have become a stronger space for political expression.
The 2022 presidential election marked a significant transformation in French politics. President Emmanuel Macron secured re-election, defeating Marine Le Pen, the far-right candidate, in a repeat of the 2017 runoff. However, this victory was more fragile than it appeared. Le Pen achieved her best-ever score, signalling a growing normalization of far right politics in France.
What is more, the traditional powerhouses—the Socialist Party and the Republicans— were largely sidelined. Instead, French politics has become a triangle: Macron’s centrist Renaissance movement, the far-right Rassemblement National, and the left- wing alliance NUPES, led by Jean- Luc Mélenchon. This fragmentation has made consensus building more difficult and reflects a broader identity crisis within French politics.
France’s electoral system is robust and well-established, but its greatest challenge may lie in re-engaging its citizens—especially the youth— with formal political processes. Strengthening political education, improving transparency, and encouraging participatory platforms could help close the growing gap between institutions and the people they serve.
In the end, the vitality of any democracy rests not only on its rules and institutions but also on the willingness of its citizens to participate. In France, that participation is increasingly being renegotiated.