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How are mayors chosen?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: The municipal council elects the mayor. The mayor is elected by the municipal council. The council meets after the municipal elections, which take place every six years. The councillors are themselves elected by the residents. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “L'élection du maire (collectivites-locales.gouv.fr)” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “L'élection du maire (collectivites-locales.gouv.fr)” (French), read on 15 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ The prefect appoints the mayorLe préfet nomme le maireThis option does not match what the sheet says: the election of the mayor is always carried out by the municipal council.
- ✓ The municipal council elects the mayorLe conseil municipal élit le maireCorrect answer. The mayor is elected by the municipal council. The council meets after the municipal elections, which take place every six years. The councillors are themselves elected by the residents.
- ✗ The President of the Republic chooses the mayorLe président de la République choisit le maireThe President of the Republic does not choose mayors.
- ✗ The Prime Minister appoints the mayorLe Premier ministre nomme le maireThe Prime Minister does not appoint mayors.
What the source says
« Le maire d’une commune est élu par le conseil municipal lors de la première réunion qui suit l’élection des conseillers municipaux »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 15 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Comment sont désignés les maires ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question comes from the list of the naturalisation version of the exam (PDF relayed by Le Français des affaires, read on 14 October 2026; the Ministry's own page for this list did not answer). The list's wording: “Comment sont désignés les maires ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “L'élection du maire (collectivites-locales.gouv.fr)” (French).
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