Home › Explained sheets › Institutional and political system
Rule of law and separation of powers: the 3 powers (1/2)
There are three powers. The legislative power makes the law, the executive power applies it. The judicial power controls and punishes when the law is not respected.
Key points of the sheet
- Parliament has 2 chambers. The National Assembly has 577 members (députés) elected by citizens. The Senate has 348 senators elected by electors (grands électeurs).
- Parliament votes on the law. The chambers also check that the Government acts according to the law and evaluate public policies.
- The executive power is held by the President of the Republic and the Government. The President appoints the Prime Minister.
- They apply and enforce the laws. They direct the Administration and lead national policy, both domestic and foreign.
- The judicial authority is held by judges and magistrates. They are recruited by competitive exam, not chosen by those in power.
- Justice is independent, it gives an impartial and fair judgment. Financial legal aid allows everyone to be defended fairly.
Words to know
- legislative power (Pouvoir législatif)
- It is the power that makes the law. It is held by Parliament.
- executive power (Pouvoir exécutif)
- It is the power that applies the law. It is held by the President and the Government.
- judicial authority (autorité judiciaire)
- It controls and punishes when the law is not respected. It is held by judges and magistrates.
- chambers (chambres)
- They are the 2 parts of Parliament: the National Assembly and the Senate.
- electors (grands électeurs)
- They are the people who elect the 348 senators.
- Government (Gouvernement)
- It is made up of the Prime Minister and the ministers.
- financial legal aid (aide juridictionnelle financière)
- It allows everyone to be defended fairly, whatever their nationality, age or income.
Test yourself: 3 questions
How many members (députés) sit in the National Assembly?
In French, the language of the exam: Combien de députés siègent à l'Assemblée nationale ?
The National Assembly has 577 members (députés), elected by citizens.
How are judges and magistrates recruited?
In French, the language of the exam: Comment les juges et les magistrats sont-ils recrutés ?
Judges and magistrates are recruited by competitive exam. They are not chosen by those in power.
Who can be helped by financial legal aid?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui peut être aidé par l'aide juridictionnelle financière ?
The aid exists so that everyone is defended fairly, whatever their nationality, age or income.
You have read the sheet. See where you stand with 40 questions like the real exam.
Take the free mock exam (40 questions)Free mock exam · Exam Pass €19 incl. VAT, paid once, no subscription
Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- What does the executive power do in France?
- Who lives at the palais de l’Élysée?
- How is the Prime Minister chosen?
More in this topic (Rule of law and separation of powers)
- Rule of law and separation of powers: presentation of the 3 powers (2/2)
- Rule of law and separation of powers: what the rule of law is and the principle of the separation of powers
Source
Sheet “État de droit et séparation des pouvoirs : présentation des 3 pouvoirs (1/2)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.