The President of the French Republic (French: Président de la République française ; ) colloquially referred to in English as the President of France, is the head of state, supreme commander-in-chief of the French Armed Forces and holder of the highest office within the Republic of France.
Four of France's five republics have had presidents as their heads of state, making the French presidency the oldest presidency in Europe still to exist in some form. In each of the republics' constitutions, the president's powers, functions and duties, and their relation with French governments differed.
The president of France is also the ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra, Grand Master of the Légion d'honneur and the Ordre national du Mérite and honorary proto-canon of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.
The current President of the Republic is François Hollande, who took office on 15 May 2012.
Read more about President Of France: Election, Powers, Criminal Responsibility and Impeachment, Succession and Incapacity, Pay and Official Residences, 2012 Election, Former Presidents, Presidential Spouse, Age Upon Entering and Leaving Office, Time in Office, Non-Presidential Heads of State, History
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“The President has paid dear for his White House. It has commonly cost him all his peace, and the best of his manly attributes. To preserve for a short time so conspicuous an appearance before the world, he is content to eat dust before the real masters who stand erect behind the throne.”
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