How do French presidential elections work?
Eligibility requirements, 500 sponsorships, how the vote unfolds and the role of the Constitutional Council: understand it all, simply.
The French presidential election is a strictly regulated democratic process that designates the head of State for a five-year term, by direct universal suffrage. Here are the key stages, from eligibility requirements to the runoff.
1. Who can run for president?
Running is not just a statement of intent. The candidate must meet strict eligibility conditions:
Nationality: hold French nationality.
Age: be at least 18 years old.
Civic rights: be on the electoral rolls and not under guardianship or conservatorship.
Eligibility: not have been declared ineligible by a court decision.
Obligations: have fulfilled the obligations relating to national service.
The crucial step: the 500 sponsorships
To limit frivolous candidacies, the law requires each candidate to be sponsored by 500 elected officials (mayors, members of parliament, senators, regional or departmental councillors) among the roughly 42,000 eligible to sponsor.
- Geographic spread: at least 30 different departments or overseas collectivities, with no single territory providing more than one tenth of the total.
- Single sponsorship: an elected official may sponsor only one candidate.
- Disclosure: since 2016, the Constitutional Council publishes the name and office of the sponsoring officials.
Once the signatures are validated, the candidate must file a declaration of assets and interests to ensure transparency.
2. How the vote unfolds: first and second round
The election takes place in two stages, unless a candidate wins an absolute majority in the first round.
All candidates validated by the Constitutional Council go to the vote. If one wins more than 50% of the votes cast, they are elected in that round. This has never happened under the Fifth Republic.
If no candidate reaches an absolute majority, a runoff is held two weeks later. Only the two leading candidates may stay in the race.
Voters choose between the two finalists. Whoever gets the most votes is elected President of the Republic.
3. Rules and transparency
The role of the sponsors
Sponsorships are not formal political endorsements but an attestation of a candidacy's credibility. The Constitutional Council ensures the process stays free of any pressure, safeguarding the plurality of democratic debate.
The election campaign
Arcom (formerly the CSA) monitors speaking time in the media to ensure fairness.
Spending goes through a single, capped campaign account. Exceeding the cap can lead to the accounts being rejected and to ineligibility.
Official posters and the distribution of campaign statements are organised by the State.
Note: candidates whose accounts are validated and who exceed 5% of the votes cast in the first round can obtain partial reimbursement of their campaign costs from the State.
Frequently asked questions
Who can vote in the French presidential election?
Any French citizen at least 18 years old, in possession of their civic rights and registered on the electoral rolls, can vote.
What is the role of the Constitutional Council?
It guarantees the integrity of the vote: it validates sponsorships, checks campaign accounts, settles disputes and proclaims the official results.
Why are 500 signatures needed to run?
This mechanism ensures the candidate has a minimum territorial base and sufficient support among the Republic's elected officials, preventing unserious candidacies.
Updated 29 June 2026 · Baromètre 2027, an independent informational site with no political affiliation.