Institutional and political system: French civic exam 2026 questions
The President, the Government, Parliament, the Constitutional Council, mayors: this theme checks that you know who does what in French institutions.
The theme "Institutional and political system" accounts for 6 of the 40 questions on the 2026 French civic exam, which you pass with 32 correct answers out of 40 in 45 minutes maximum.
- 6 of the 40 questions on exam day
- 16 practice questions on this theme
1.Who appoints the Prime Minister in France?
- a.The President of the Republic
- b.The National Assembly
- c.The Senate
- d.The Constitutional Council
Show the answer
Correct answer: The President of the Republic
The President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister, under Article 8 of the Constitution.
Reference: Constitution, art. 8
2.For how many years is the President of the Republic elected?
- a.5 years
- b.7 years
- c.4 years
- d.6 years
3.Which two assemblies make up the French Parliament?
- a.The National Assembly and the Senate
- b.The National Assembly and the Council of State
- c.The Senate and the Constitutional Council
- d.The National Assembly and the Congress
4.Who votes the laws in France?
- a.Parliament
- b.The President of the Republic
- c.The Government alone
- d.The Constitutional Council
5.How is the President of the French Republic elected?
- a.By direct universal suffrage
- b.By Parliament
- c.By the mayors
- d.By the Constitutional Council
6.Who leads the Government?
- a.The Prime Minister
- b.The President of the National Assembly
- c.The mayor of Paris
- d.The President of the Senate
Show the answer
Correct answer: The Prime Minister
The Prime Minister directs the action of the Government, under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Reference: Constitution, art. 21
7.How many MPs sit in the National Assembly?
- a.577
- b.348
- c.925
- d.500
8.Who ensures that laws comply with the Constitution?
- a.The Constitutional Council
- b.The Court of Cassation
- c.The Senate
- d.The Council of State
9.Who is the head of the armed forces in France?
- a.The President of the Republic
- b.The Prime Minister
- c.The Minister of the Armed Forces
- d.The chief of staff
10.For how many years is a mayor elected?
- a.6 years
- b.5 years
- c.4 years
- d.7 years
11.How are senators elected?
- a.By indirect suffrage, through grand electors
- b.By direct universal suffrage
- c.Appointed by the President
- d.By lottery
12.Who promulgates the laws in France?
- a.The President of the Republic
- b.The President of the Senate
- c.The mayor
- d.The Constitutional Council
13.How many senators sit in the Senate?
- a.348
- b.577
- c.200
- d.925
14.Who can dissolve the National Assembly?
- a.The President of the Republic
- b.The Prime Minister
- c.The Senate
- d.The Constitutional Council
15.Which assembly can bring down the Government through a motion of no confidence?
- a.The National Assembly
- b.The Senate
- c.The Constitutional Council
- d.The municipal council
16.Who elects the mayor of a town?
- a.The municipal council
- b.The prefect
- c.The President of the Republic
- d.The senators
The other exam themes
- Principles and values of the Republic
- Rights and duties
- History, geography and culture
- Living in French society
Our guides to passing the exam
- Official format, pass mark and how it works
- The 5 exam themes, explained
- Situational questions: how to answer them
- Who must take the civic exam?
- Registration, price, centres and results
- Failed the exam? How to retake it
Official sources: Arrêté of 10 October 2025 on the civic exam (Légifrance) · Service-public.gouv.fr: how to take the civic exam · Ministry of the Interior: civic training. Updated on
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