In France, the President of the Departmental Council (French: Président du Conseil départemental) is the locally elected head of the departmental council, the assembly governing a department in France. The position is elected by the departmental councillors from among their number. If there is a tie, the councillor senior of age is elected. As per Articles L1111-1 to L7331-3 of the General code of local and regional authorities, the responsibilities of the President of the Departmental Council include:

[Current political majority in each departmental council:

{{legend|#dd0000|French Communist Party}} {{legend|#ff8080|Socialist Party}} {{legend|#ffc0c0|Miscellaneous left}} {{legend|#ffd1dc|Radical Party of the Left}} {{legend|#ff9900|Democratic Movement}} {{legend|#00ffff|Union of Democrats and Independents}} {{legend|#0066cc|The Republicans}} {{legend|#adc1fd|Miscellaneous right|undefined | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Presidents///of///French///departments///current.svg]

History

In 1833, a law was enacted that gave each canton (subdivision of a department) representation of a councillor (Conseiller général). As a result of the decentralisation of government (Deferre law), the election criteria were redefined in 1982 and the President of the Departmental Council took over executive powers from the centrally-appointed prefect.

Women presidents

List of the presidents of the departmental councils

!# !! Département (or collectivity) !! President !! Party !! Since !Ref.

Allowance

The president of a department council has a maximum allowance of €5441 per month, the vice-presidents has a maximum allowance of €128.83-725.44, members of the standing committee have maximum allowances of €672.65-927.13, and departmental advisors have maximum allowances of €1501-2,626 per month.