President of the general 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:

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.

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.

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