List of presidents of departmental councils (France)

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:[1][2] In 1833, a law was enacted that gave each canton (subdivision of a department) representation of a councillor (Conseiller général).

[3] 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.