Regional council (France)

Originally they were simply consultative bodies consisting of the region's parliamentary representatives plus an equal number of members nominated by the departments and communes.

The decentralisation programme of 1982–1983 under President François Mitterrand provided for direct election which began in 1986 and increased the powers of the councils.

The Front National was frequently left with the balance of power as a result and this led to a change in the electoral law.

Since 2004 three quarters of the seats continue to be elected by proportional representation with each list having an equal number of male and female candidates.

If this has not been achieved a second round is held with each party that gained at least ten percent of the votes competing.