President of the Departmental Council
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 departments in France. The position is elected by the departmental councilors from among their number. If there is a tie, the senior councilor is elected.
The President of the Departmental Council wields police powers. Responsibilities include:
- Chairing the departmental authorities
- Preparing and implementing the council's decisions
- Collecting and spending monies
- Representing the département in legal cases
History
In 1871, a law was enacted that gave each canton (subdivision of a department) representation of a councillor (Conseiller général).
As a result of the decentralization of government 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
- 1970-1982 : Évelyne Baylet, Tarn-et-Garonne
- 1982-1985 : Lucette Michaux-Chevry, Guadeloupe
- 1985-1994 : Janine Bardou, Lozère
- 1991–2011: Anne d'Ornano, Calvados
- 2004–Present : Marie-Françoise Pérol-Dumont, Haute-Vienne
- 2004–Present : Nassimah Mangrolia Dindar, Réunion
- 2008-2011 : Claude Roiron, Indre-et-Loire
- 2008-2011 : Josette Durrieu, Hautes-Pyrénées
- 2010–Present : Hermeline Malherbe-Laurent, Pyrénées-Orientales
- 2011–2012 : Marisol Touraine, Indre-et-Loire
- 2011–2015 : Josette Manin, Martinique
Overseas territories
The situation in the overseas territories is different than that in metropolitan France. Generally, these territories are simultaneously departments and regions. The President of the departmental council may also serve concurrently as President of the Regional Council.
List of the Presidents of the Departmental councils
Notes and references
- ↑ Mayor of Paris
- ↑ Formerly Union for a Popular Movement.
- ↑ President of the Territorial Council (Président du Conseil territorial) from 21 Feb 2007. Rulers
- ↑ Departmental collectivity then Department from 3 April 2011.
External links
- General Description of French Local Government.
- CIA World Factbook
- Guide to Women Leaders
- French Departments