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Who was president of the Fifth Republic?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Charles de Gaulle. Charles de Gaulle was the founder and first president of the Fifth Republic. He proposes a new Constitution, adopted by referendum in September 1958. Other presidents followed him, like Georges Pompidou or François Mitterrand. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “La Vème République” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “La Vème République” (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
- ✗ Napoléon BonaparteNapoléon BonaparteHe was emperor during the First Empire.
- ✗ Philippe PétainPhilippe PétainHe was head of State from 1940 to 1944, under the Vichy regime.
- ✓ Charles de GaulleCharles de GaulleCorrect answer. Charles de Gaulle was the founder and first president of the Fifth Republic. He proposes a new Constitution, adopted by referendum in September 1958. Other presidents followed him, like Georges Pompidou or François Mitterrand.
- ✗ Louis XVILouis XVIThe founder and first president of the Fifth Republic is Charles de Gaulle, not Louis XVI.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Qui a été président de la Ve République ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question comes from the naturalisation version of the exam (Ministry list read on 14 October 2026). The Ministry's wording: “Qui a été président de la Ve République ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “La Vème République” (French).
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