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How is the Prime Minister chosen?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: The President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister. The President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is part of the Government with the ministers. The President lives at the Élysée, the Prime Minister at Matignon.
Sources: Sheet “État de droit et séparation des pouvoirs : présentation des 3 pouvoirs (1/2)” (French), read on 21 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 President of the Republic appoints the Prime MinisterIl est nommé par le président de la RépubliqueCorrect answer. The President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is part of the Government with the ministers. The President lives at the Élysée, the Prime Minister at Matignon.
- ✗ All citizens elect the Prime MinisterIl est élu par tous les citoyensThe Prime Minister is not elected by the citizens: the President of the Republic appoints the Prime Minister.
- ✗ The senators choose the Prime MinisterIl est choisi par les sénateursSenators are elected by the grands électeurs, they do not choose the Prime Minister.
- ✗ The Prime Minister is drawn by lot among all the deputiesIl est tiré au sort parmi les députésDrawing lots is used to choose jurors for a trial, not the Prime Minister.
What the source says
« Le Premier ministre, qui réside à l'hôtel de Matignon, est nommé par le président de la République. »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Comment le Premier ministre est-il désigné ? ». 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 est désigné le Premier ministre ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “État de droit et séparation des pouvoirs : présentation des 3 pouvoirs (1/2)” (French).
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