The French Republic is a presidential democracy. The present constitution dates from 1959, but has been amended several times over the past decades. The French government consists of the President and the parliament. The president has a lot of power as he is both the head of state and the leader of the government.  The bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate and the National Assembly.           

 

Head of state: President Jacques Chirac

Head of government: Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin