The head of the government of France has been called the prime minister of France (French: Premier ministre) since 1959, when Michel Debré became the first officeholder appointed under the Fifth Republic. During earlier periods of history, the head of government of France was known by different titles. As was common in European democracies of the 1815–1958 period (the Bourbon Restoration and July Monarchy, the Second, Third, and Fourth Republic, as well as the Vichy regime), the head of government was called President of the Council of Ministers (Président du Conseil des ministres), generally shortened to President of the council (Président du Conseil). This should not be confused with the elected office of president of the French Republic, who appoints the prime minister as head of state.

9th century – 18th century

Kingdom of France (843–1792)

Under the Kingdom of France, there was no official title for the leader of the government. The chief ministers (principal ministres) of certain kings of France nonetheless led the government de facto.

More information Chief minister (Lifespan), Term of office ...
Chief minister
(Lifespan)
Term of office King
(Reign)
Anne de Montmorency
(1493–1567)
1 January 1515 14 June 1541 Francis I

(1515–1547)
Claude d'Annebault
(1495–1552)
1541 31 March 1547
Anne de Montmorency
(1493–1567)
1 April 1547 10 August 1557 Henry II

(1547–1559)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Henry II)
11 August 1557 10 July 1559
Francis, Duke of Guise
(1519–1563)
10 July 1559 5 December 1560 Francis II

(1559–1560)
Michel de l'Hôpital
(1507–1573)
5 December 1560 13 March 1573
(Died in office)
Charles IX

(1560–1574)
René de Birague
(1506–1583)
30 May 1574 24 November 1583
(Died in office)
Henry III

(1574–1589)
Philippe Hurault de Cheverny
(1528–1599)
24 November 1583 12 May 1588
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Henry III)
12 May 1588 2 August 1589
Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully
(1560–1641)
2 August 1589 29 January 1611 Henry IV

(1589–1610)
Nicolas de Neufville, seigneur de Villeroy
(1543–1617)
30 January 1611 9 August 1616 Louis XIII

(1610–1643)
Concino Concini
(1569–1617)
9 August 1616 24 April 1617
(Died in office)
Charles d'Albert, duc de Luynes
(1578–1621)
24 April 1617 15 December 1621
(Died in office)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Louis XIII)
15 December 1621 12 August 1624
Cardinal Richelieu
(1585–1642)
12 August 1624 4 December 1642
(Died in office)
Cardinal Mazarin
(1602–1661)
5 December 1642 9 March 1661
(Died in office)
Louis XIV

(1643–1715)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Louis XIV)
9 March 1661 1 September 1715
Guillaume Dubois
(1656–1723)
12 September 1715 10 August 1723
(Died in office)
Louis XV

(1715–1774)
Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
(1674–1723)
10 August 1723 2 December 1723
(Died in office)
Louis Henri, Duke of Bourbon
(1692–1740)
2 December 1723 11 June 1726
André-Hercule de Fleury
(1653–1743)
11 June 1726 29 January 1743
(Died in office)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Louis XV)
29 January 1743 3 December 1758
Étienne François de Choiseul, Duke of Choiseul
(1719–1785)
3 December 1758 24 December 1770
René Nicolas Charles Augustin de Maupeou
(1714–1792)
25 December 1770 23 August 1774
Jacques Turgot
(1727–1781)
24 August 1774 12 May 1776 Louis XVI

(1774–1792)
Jean-Frédéric Phélypeaux, comte de Maurepas
(1701–1781)
14 May 1776 21 November 1781
(Died in office)
Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes
(1717–1787)
21 November 1781 13 February 1787
(Died in office)
Étienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne
(1727–1794)
1 May 1787 25 August 1788
Jacques Necker
(1732–1804)
25 August 1788 11 July 1789
Louis Auguste Le Tonnelier de Breteuil
(1730–1807)
11 July 1789 16 July 1789
Jacques Necker
(1732–1804)
16 July 1789 3 September 1790
Armand Marc, comte de Montmorin
(1745–1792)
3 September 1790 3 September 1791
Constitutional cabinet
(supervisioned by Legislative Assembly)
3 September 1791 21 September 1792
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18th century – 19th century

French First Republic (1792–1804)

During the First Republic, the arrangements for governance changed frequently:

There was no individual head of government.

French First Empire (1804–1815)

As Emperor, Napoleon was both head of state and head of government.

More information Chief minister, Term of office ...
Chief minister Term of office Political party Emperor
(Reign)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Napoleon)
1 18 May 1804 1 April 1814 Vacant Napoleon
Thumb
(1804–1814)
Close

First Restoration (1814–1815)

More information Chief minister, Term of office ...
Chief minister Term of office Political party King
(Reign)
Thumb Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord
(1754–1838)
(as President of the Council)
1 1 April 1814 2 May 1814 Independent Louis XVIII
Thumb
(1814–1815)
Thumb Pierre Louis Jean Casimir de Blacas
(1771–1839)
2 2 May 1814 8 July 1815 Independent
Close

Hundred Days (1815)

As Emperor, Napoleon was both head of state and head of government. Upon Napoleon's abdication, his son Napoleon II was named Emperor. This rule was nominal, and Napoleon II remained in Austria throughout his nominal reign.

More information Chief Minister, Term of office ...
Chief Minister Term of office Political party Emperor
(Reign)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Napoleon I)
2 20 March 1815 22 June 1815 Vacant Napoleon I
Thumb
(1815)
Thumb Joseph Fouché
(1759–1820)
(as President of the Executive Commission)
22 June 1815 7 July 1815 Bonapartist Napoleon II
Thumb
(1815)
Close

Bourbon Restoration (1815–1830)

Presidents of the Council of Ministers

More information President of the Council of Ministers (Lifespan), Term of office ...
President of the Council of Ministers
(Lifespan)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
King
(Reign)
Thumb Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord
(1754–1838)
9 July 1815 26 September 1815 Independent I
(Chambre introuvable)
(1815)
Louis XVIII
Thumb
(1815–1824)
Thumb Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu
(1766–1822)
1 26 September 1815 29 December 1818 Independent
Thumb Jean-Joseph, Marquis Dessolles
(1767–1828)
29 December 1818 19 November 1819 Doctrinaires II
(1816)
Thumb Élie Decazes, duc de Glücksbierg and Decazes
(1780–1860)
19 November 1819 20 February 1820 Doctrinaires
Thumb Armand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu
(1766–1822)
2 20 February 1820 14 December 1821 Doctrinaires III
(1820)
Thumb Jean-Baptiste de Villèle
(1773–1854)
14 December 1821 4 January 1828 Ultra-royalist
IV
(1824)
Charles X
Thumb
(1824–1830)
Thumb Jean Baptiste Gay, vicomte de Martignac
(1778–1832)
4 January 1828 8 August 1829 Doctrinaires V
(1827)
Thumb Jules de Polignac, duc de Polignac
(1780–1847)
8 August 1829 29 July 1830 Ultra-royalist
Thumb Casimir de Rochechouart, duc de Mortemart
(1787–1875)
29 July 1830 Ultra-royalist
Close

July Monarchy (1830–1848)

Presidents of the Council of Ministers

Political parties

   Independent
   Orléanist
   Doctrinaires/Movement Party
   Resistance Party

More information President of the Council of Ministers (Lifespan), Term of office ...
President of the Council of Ministers
(Lifespan)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
King
(Reign)
Position vacant
(government led by
Louis Philippe I)
0 1 August 1830 2 November 1830 (Orléanist) I
(1830)
Louis Philippe I
Thumb
(1830–1848)
1
Thumb Jacques Laffitte
(1767–1844)
2 November 1830 13 March 1831 Orléanist
Thumb Casimir Pierre Périer
(1777–1832)
13 March 1831 16 May 1832 Resistance Party II
(1831)
Thumb Jean-de-Dieu Soult
(1769–1851)
1 11 October 1832 18 July 1834 Orléanist
Thumb Étienne Maurice Gérard
(1773–1852)
18 July 1834 10 November 1834 Independent III
(1834)
Thumb Hugues-Bernard Maret
(1763–1839)
10 November 1834 18 November 1834 Independent
Thumb Édouard Mortier
(1768–1835)
18 November 1834 12 March 1835 Resistance Party
Thumb Victor de Broglie
(1785–1870)
12 March 1835 22 February 1836 Resistance Party
Thumb Adolphe Thiers
(1797–1877)
1 22 February 1836 6 September 1836 Movement Party
Thumb Louis-Mathieu Molé
(1781–1855)
1 6 September 1836 31 March 1839 Resistance Party
2 IV
(1837)
Position vacant
(government led by
Louis Philippe I)
2 31 March 1839 12 May 1839 (Orléanist)
Thumb Jean-de-Dieu Soult
(1769–1851)
2 12 May 1839 1 March 1840 Resistance Party V
(1839)
Thumb Adolphe Thiers
(1797–1877)
2 1 March 1840 29 October 1840 Movement Party
Thumb Jean-de-Dieu Soult
(1769–1851)
3 29 October 1840 19 September 1847 Resistance Party VI
(1842)
Thumb François Guizot
(1787–1874)
19 September 1847 23 February 1848 Resistance Party VII
(1846)
Thumb Louis-Mathieu Molé
(1781–1855)
23 February 1848 24 February 1848 Resistance Party
Close

Second French Republic (1848–1852)

Presidents of the Council of Ministers

More information President of the Council of Ministers (Lifespan), Term of office ...
President of the Council of Ministers
(Lifespan)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
President
(Term)
1 Thumb Jacques-Charles Dupont de l'Eure
(1767–1855)
24 February 1848 9 May 1848 Moderate Republican Const.
(1848)
Himself
de facto
(Provisional)
2 Thumb François Arago
(1786–1853)
10 May 1848 24 June 1848 Moderate Republican Executive Commission
3 Thumb Louis-Eugène Cavaignac
(1802–1857)
28 June 1848 20 December 1848 Moderate Republican Himself
de facto
(Martial Law)
4 Thumb Odilon Barrot
(1791–1873)
1 20 December 1848 31 October 1849 Party of Order 1 Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte
Thumb
(1848–1852)
2 Leg.
(1849)
5 Alphonse Henri, comte d'Hautpoul
(1789–1865)
31 October 1849 24 January 1851 Party of Order
Position vacant
(government led by
Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte)
24 January 1851 10 April 1851 Vacant
6 Thumb Léon Faucher
(1803–1854)
10 April 1851 26 October 1851 Party of Order
Position vacant
(government led by
Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte)
0 26 October 1851 2 December 1852 Vacant
1
2
Close

Second French Empire (1852–1870)

Cabinet Chiefs

More information Cabinet Chief (Lifespan), Term of office ...
Cabinet Chief
(Lifespan)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
Emperor
(Reign)
Position vacant
(absolute rule by Napoleon III)
3 2 December 1852 27 December 1869 Vacant I
(1852)
Napoleon III
Thumb
(1852–1870)
II
(1857)
III
(1863)
4 IV
(1869)
Thumb Émile Ollivier
(1825–1913)
2 January 1870 9 August 1870 Bonapartist
Thumb Charles Cousin-Montauban
(1796–1878)
9 August 1870 4 September 1870 Independent
Close

19th century – 20th century

French Third Republic (1870–1940)

President of the Government of National Defense

More information President of the Government of National Defense (Lifespan), Term of office ...
President of the Government of National Defense
(Lifespan)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
Thumb Louis-Jules Trochu
(1815–1896)
4 September 1870 22 January 1871 Military None
Close

Presidents of the Council of Ministers

More information President of the Council of Ministers (Lifespan), Term of office ...
President of the Council of Ministers
(Lifespan)
Term of office Political party
(Political coalition)
Legislature
(Election)
President
(Term)
6 Thumb Jules Armand Dufaure
(1798–1881)
1 19 February 1871 24 May 1873 Opportunist Republicans National Assembly (1871) 2 Adolphe Thiers
Thumb
(1871–1873)
2
7 Thumb Albert, duc de Broglie
(1821–1901)
1 25 May 1873 22 May 1874 Monarchist 3 Patrice de MacMahon
Thumb
(1873–1879)
2
8 Thumb Ernest Courtot de Cissey
(1810–1882)
22 May 1874 10 March 1875 Monarchist
9 Thumb Louis Buffet
(1818–1898)
10 March 1875 23 February 1876 Monarchist
6 Thumb Jules Armand Dufaure
(1798–1881)
3 23 February 1876 12 December 1876 Opportunist Republicans
4
10 Thumb Jules Simon
(1814–1896)
12 December 1876 17 May 1877 Opportunist Republicans I (1876)
7 Thumb Albert, duc de Broglie
(1821–1901)
3 17 May 1877 23 November 1877 Monarchist
11 Thumb Gaëtan de Rochebouët
(1813–1899)
23 November 1877 13 December 1877 Monarchist II (1877)
6 Thumb Jules Armand Dufaure
(1798–1881)
5 13 December 1877 4 February 1879 Opportunist Republicans
12 Thumb William Waddington
(1826–1894)
4 February 1879 28 December 1879 Opportunist Republicans 4 Jules Grévy
Thumb
(1879–1887)
13 Thumb Charles de Freycinet
(1828–1923)
1 28 December 1879 23 September 1880 Opportunist Republicans
14 Thumb Jules Ferry
(1832–1893)
1 23 September 1880 14 November 1881 Opportunist Republicans
15 Thumb Léon Gambetta
(1838–1882)
14 November 1881 30 January 1882 Opportunist Republicans III (1881)
13 Thumb Charles de Freycinet
(1828–1923)
2 30 January 1882 7 August 1882 Opportunist Republicans
16 Thumb Charles Duclerc
(1812–1888)
7 August 1882 29 January 1883 Opportunist Republicans
17 Thumb Armand Fallières
(1841–1931)
29 January 1883 21 February 1883 Opportunist Republicans
14 Thumb Jules Ferry
(1832–1893)
2 21 February 1883 6 April 1885 Opportunist Republicans
18 Thumb Henri Brisson
(1835–1912)
1 6 April 1885 7 January 1886 Radical Republicans
13 Thumb Charles de Freycinet
(1828–1923)
3 7 January 1886 16 December 1886 Opportunist Republicans IV (1885)
19 Thumb René Goblet
(1828–1905)
16 December 1886 30 May 1887 Radical Republicans
20 Thumb Maurice Rouvier
(1842–1911)
1 30 May 1887 12 December 1887 Opportunist Republicans
21 Thumb Pierre Tirard
(1827–1893)
1 12 December 1887 3 April 1888 Opportunist Republicans 5 Sadi Carnot
Thumb
(1887–1894)
22 Thumb Charles Floquet
(1828–1896)
3 April 1888 22 February 1889 Opportunist Republicans
21 Thumb Pierre Tirard
(1827–1893)
2 22 February 1889 17 March 1890 Opportunist Republicans
13 Thumb Charles de Freycinet
(1828–1923)
4 17 March 1890 27 February 1892 Opportunist Republicans V (1889)
23 Thumb Émile Loubet
(1838–1929)
27 February 1892 6 December 1892 Opportunist Republicans
24 Thumb Alexandre Ribot
(1842–1923)
1 6 December 1892 4 April 1893 Opportunist Republicans
2
25 Thumb Charles Dupuy
(1851–1923)
1 4 April 1893 3 December 1893 Opportunist Republicans
26 Thumb Jean Casimir-Perier
(1847–1907)
3 December 1893 30 May 1894 Opportunist Republicans VI (1893)
25 Thumb Charles Dupuy
(1851–1923)
2 30 May 1894 26 January 1895 Opportunist Republicans
3 6 Jean Casimir-Perier
Thumb
(1894–1895)
24 Thumb Alexandre Ribot
(1842–1923)
3 26 January 1895 1 November 1895 Opportunist Republicans 7 Félix Faure
Thumb
(1895–1899)
27 Thumb Léon Bourgeois
(1851–1925)
1 November 1895 29 April 1896 Radical Republicans
28 Thumb Jules Méline
(1838–1925)
29 April 1896 28 June 1898 Opportunist Republicans
18 Thumb Henri Brisson
(1835–1912)
2 28 June 1898 1 November 1898 Radical Republicans VII (1898)
25 Thumb Charles Dupuy
(1851–1923)
4 1 November 1898 22 June 1899 Opportunist Republicans
5 Émile Loubet
Thumb
(1899–1906)
29 Thumb Pierre Waldeck-Rousseau
(1846–1904)
22 June 1899 7 June 1902 Opportunist Republicans 8
30 Thumb Émile Combes
(1835–1921)
7 June 1902 24 January 1905 Radical-Socialist Party
(Bloc des gauches)
VIII (1902)
20 Thumb Maurice Rouvier
(1842–1911)
2 24 January 1905 12 March 1906 Democratic Republican Alliance
3 9 Armand Fallières
Thumb
(1906–1913)
31 Thumb Ferdinand Sarrien
(1840–1915)
12 March 1906 25 October 1906 Radical-Socialist Party
32 Thumb Georges Clemenceau
(1841–1929)
1 25 October 1906 24 July 1909 Independent IX (1906)
33 Thumb Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
1 24 July 1909 2 March 1911 Republican-Socialist Party
2
34 Thumb Ernest Monis
(1846–1929)
2 March 1911 27 June 1911 Radical-Socialist Party X (1910)
35 Thumb Joseph Caillaux
(1863–1944)
27 June 1911 21 January 1912 Radical-Socialist Party
36 Thumb Raymond Poincaré
(1860–1934)
1 21 January 1912 21 January 1913 Republican Democratic Party
33 Thumb Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
3 21 January 1913 22 March 1913 Republican-Socialist Party
4 10 Raymond Poincaré
Thumb
(1913–1920)
37 Thumb Louis Barthou
(1862–1934)
22 March 1913 9 December 1913 Republican Democratic Party
38 Thumb Gaston Doumergue
(1863–1937)
1 9 December 1913 9 June 1914 Radical-Socialist Party
24 Thumb Alexandre Ribot
(1842–1923)
4 9 June 1914 13 June 1914 Republican Federation XI (1914)
39 Thumb René Viviani
(1863–1925)
1 13 June 1914 29 October 1915 Republican-Socialist Party
2
33 Thumb Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
5 29 October 1915 20 March 1917 Republican-Socialist Party
6
24 Thumb Alexandre Ribot
(1842–1923)
5 20 March 1917 12 September 1917 Republican Federation
40 Thumb Paul Painlevé
(1863–1933)
1 12 September 1917 16 November 1917 Republican-Socialist Party
32 Thumb Georges Clemenceau
(1841–1929)
2 16 November 1917 20 January 1920 Independent
41 Thumb Alexandre Millerand
(1859–1943)
1 20 January 1920 24 September 1920 Independent
(National Bloc)
XII (1919)
2 11 Paul Deschanel
Thumb
(1920)
42 Thumb Georges Leygues
(1857–1933)
24 September 1920 16 January 1921 Republican, Democratic and Social Party
(National Bloc)
12 Alexandre Millerand
Thumb
(1920–1924)
33 Thumb Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
7 16 January 1921 15 January 1922 Republican-Socialist Party
36 Thumb Raymond Poincaré
(1860–1934)
2 15 January 1922 8 June 1924 Republican, Democratic and Social Party
(National Bloc)
3
43 Thumb Frédéric François-Marsal
(1874–1958)
8 June 1924 15 June 1924 Republican Federation
(National Bloc)
XIII (1924)
45 Thumb Édouard Herriot
(1872–1957)
1 15 June 1924 17 April 1925 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
13 Gaston Doumergue
Thumb
(1924–1931)
40 Thumb Paul Painlevé
(1863–1933)
2 17 April 1925 28 November 1925 Republican-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
3
33 Thumb Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
8 28 November 1925 20 July 1926 Republican-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
9
10
45 Thumb Édouard Herriot
(1872–1957)
2 20 July 1926 23 July 1926 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
36 Thumb Raymond Poincaré
(1860–1934)
4 23 July 1926 29 July 1929 Democratic Alliance
(National Union)
5
33 Thumb Aristide Briand
(1862–1932)
11 29 July 1929 2 November 1929 Republican-Socialist Party XIV (1928)
46 Thumb André Tardieu
(1876–1945)
1 2 November 1929 21 February 1930 Democratic Alliance
47 Thumb Camille Chautemps
(1885–1963)
1 21 February 1930 2 March 1930 Radical-Socialist Party
46 Thumb André Tardieu
(1876–1945)
2 2 March 1930 13 December 1930 Democratic Alliance
48 Thumb Théodore Steeg
(1868–1950)
13 December 1930 27 January 1931 Radical-Socialist Party
49 Thumb Pierre Laval
(1883–1945)
1 27 January 1931 20 February 1932 Independent
2 14 Paul Doumer
Thumb
(1931–1932)
3
46 Thumb André Tardieu
(1876–1945)
3 20 February 1932 3 June 1932 Democratic Alliance
45 Thumb Édouard Herriot
(1872–1957)
3 3 June 1932 18 December 1932 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
XV (1932) 15 Albert Lebrun
Thumb
(1932–1940)
50 Thumb Joseph Paul-Boncour
(1873–1972)
18 December 1932 31 January 1933 Republican-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
51 Thumb Édouard Daladier
(1884–1970)
1 31 January 1933 26 October 1933 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
52 Thumb Albert Sarraut
(1872–1962)
1 26 October 1933 26 November 1933 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
47 Thumb Camille Chautemps
(1885–1963)
2 26 November 1933 30 January 1934 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
51 Thumb Édouard Daladier
(1884–1970)
2 30 January 1934 9 February 1934 Radical-Socialist Party
(Cartel des Gauches)
38 Thumb Gaston Doumergue
(1863–1937)
2 9 February 1934 8 November 1934 Radical-Socialist Party
53 Thumb Pierre-Étienne Flandin
(1889–1958)
1 8 November 1934 1 June 1935 Democratic Alliance
54 Thumb Fernand Bouisson
(1874–1959)
1 June 1935 7 June 1935 Independent
49 Thumb Pierre Laval
(1883–1945)
4 7 June 1935 24 January 1936 Independent
52 Thumb Albert Sarraut
(1872–1962)
2 24 January 1936 4 June 1936 Radical-Socialist Party
55 Thumb Léon Blum
(1872–1950)
1 4 June 1936 22 June 1937 French Section of the Workers' International
(Popular Front)
XVI (1936)
47 Thumb Camille Chautemps
(1885–1963)
3 22 June 1937 13 March 1938 Radical-Socialist Party
(Popular Front)
4
55 Thumb Léon Blum
(1872–1950)
2 13 March 1938 10 April 1938 French Section of the Workers' International
(Popular Front)
51 Thumb Édouard Daladier
(1884–1970)
3 10 April 1938 21 March 1940 Radical-Socialist Party
4
5
56 Thumb Paul Reynaud
(1878–1966)
21 March 1940 16 June 1940 Democratic Alliance
57 Thumb Philippe Pétain
(1856–1951)
16 June 1940 11 July 1940 Independent
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French State (1940–1944)

Until 1942, Marshal Philippe Pétain served as Chief of State and nominal President of the Council of Ministers. From 1942, Pétain remained Chief of State, but Pierre Laval was named Chief of the Government.

Vice-Presidents of the Council of Ministers

More information Vice-president of the Council of Ministers (Lifespan), Term of office ...
Vice-president of the Council of Ministers
(Lifespan)
Term of office Political party Legislature
(Election)
Chief of State
(Term)
49 Thumb Pierre Laval
(1883–1945)
5 11 July 1940 13 December 1940 Révolution nationale None Philippe Pétain
Thumb
(1940–1944)
53 Thumb Pierre-Étienne Flandin
(1889–1958)
2 13 December 1940 9 February 1941
58 Thumb François Darlan
(1881–1942)
9 February 1941 18 April 1942
49 Thumb Pierre Laval
(1883–1945)
(as Chief of the Government)
6 18 April 1942 19 August 1944
Close

Provisional Government of the French Republic (1944–1946)

Chairmen of the Provisional Government

More information Chairman of the Provisional Government (Lifespan), Term of office ...
Chairman of the Provisional Government
(Lifespan)
Term of office Political party
(Political coalition)
Legislature
(Election)
59 Thumb Charles de Gaulle
(1890–1970)
1 3 June 1944 26 January 1946 Independent Provisional
2 I
(1945)
60 Thumb Félix Gouin
(1884–1977)
26 January 1946 24 June 1946 French Section of the Workers' International
(Tripartisme)
61 Thumb Georges Bidault
(1899–1983)
1 24 June 1946 16 December 1946 Popular Republican Movement
(Tripartisme)
II
(June 1946)
Thumb Vincent Auriol
(1884–1966)
(interim)
28 November 1946 16 December 1946 French Section of the Workers' International
(Tripartisme)
IV Rep.
I
(Nov 1946)
62 Thumb Léon Blum
(1872–1950)
3 16 December 1946 22 January 1947 French Section of the Workers' International
(Tripartisme)
Close

Fourth French Republic (1946–1958)

Presidents of the Council of Ministers

More information President of the Council of Ministers (Lifespan), Term of office ...
President of the Council of Ministers
(Lifespan)
Term of office Political party
(Political coalition)
Legislature
(Election)
President
(Term)
63 Thumb Paul Ramadier
(1888–1961)
1 22 January 1947 24 November 1947 French Section of the Workers' International
(Tripartisme)
I (Nov.1946) 16 Vincent Auriol
Thumb
(1947–1954)
2
65 Thumb Robert Schuman
(1886–1963)
1 24 November 1947 24 July 1948 Popular Republican Movement
(Third Force)
66 Thumb André Marie
(1897–1974)
24 July 1948 2 September 1948 Radical Party
(Third Force)
65 Thumb Robert Schuman
(1886–1963)
2 2 September 1948 11 September 1948 Popular Republican Movement
(Third Force)
67 Thumb Henri Queuille
(1884–1970)
1 11 September 1948 28 October 1949 Radical Party
(Third Force)
61 Thumb Georges Bidault
(1899–1983)
2 28 October 1949 2 July 1950 Popular Republican Movement
(Third Force)
3
67 Thumb Henri Queuille
(1884–1970)
2 2 July 1950 12 July 1950 Radical Party
(Third Force)
68 Thumb René Pleven
(1901–1993)
1 12 July 1950 10 March 1951 Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance
(Third Force)
67 Thumb Henri Queuille
(1884–1970)
3 10 March 1951 11 August 1951 Radical Party
(Third Force)
68 Thumb René Pleven
(1901–1993)
2 11 August 1951 20 January 1952 Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance
(Third Force)
II (1951)
69 Thumb Edgar Faure
(1908–1988)
1 20 January 1952 8 March 1952 Radical Party
70 Thumb Antoine Pinay
(1891–1994)
8 March 1952 8 January 1953 National Centre of Independents and Peasants
71 Thumb René Mayer
(1895–1972)
8 January 1953 28 June 1953 Radical Party
72 Thumb Joseph Laniel
(1889–1975)
1 28 June 1953 19 June 1954 National Centre of Independents and Peasants
2 17 René Coty
Thumb
(1954–1959)
73 Thumb Pierre Mendès France
(1907–1982)
19 June 1954 17 February 1955 Radical Party
69 Thumb Edgar Faure
(1908–1988)
2 17 February 1955 1 February 1956 Radical Party
75 Thumb Guy Mollet
(1905–1975)
1 February 1956 13 June 1957 French Section of the Workers' International
(Republican Front)
III (1956)
76 Thumb Maurice Bourgès-Maunoury
(1914–1993)
13 June 1957 6 November 1957 Radical Party
(Republican Front)
77 Thumb Félix Gaillard
(1919–1970)
6 November 1957 14 May 1958 Radical Party
(Republican Front)
78 Thumb Pierre Pflimlin
(1907–2000)
14 May 1958 1 June 1958 Popular Republican Movement
59 Thumb Charles de Gaulle
(1890–1970)
3 1 June 1958 8 January 1959 Union for the New Republic
Close

20th century – 21st century

Fifth French Republic (since 1958)

Prime Ministers

More information S. No., Portrait ...
S. No. Portrait Prime Minister
(Lifespan)
Term of office Political party
(Political coalition)
Government Legislature
(Election)
President
(Term)
Term of office Time in office
79 Thumb Michel Debré
(1912–1996)
8 January 1959 14 April 1962 3 years, 96 days Union for the New Republic Debré [fr] I
(1958)
18 Charles de Gaulle
Thumb
(1959–1969)
80 Thumb Georges Pompidou
(1911–1974)
14 April 1962 7 December 1962 6 years, 87 days Union for the New Republic Pompidou I [fr]
7 December 1962 8 January 1966 Pompidou II [fr] II
(1962)
8 January 1966 7 April 1967 Pompidou III [fr]
7 April 1967 10 July 1968 Pompidou IV [fr] III
(1967)
81 Thumb Maurice Couve de Murville
(1907–1999)
10 July 1968 20 June 1969 345 days Union of Democrats for the Republic Couve de Murville [fr] IV
(1968)
82 Thumb Jacques Chaban-Delmas
(1915–2000)
20 June 1969 5 July 1972 3 years, 15 days Union of Democrats for the Republic Chaban-Delmas [fr] 19 Georges Pompidou

Thumb
(1969–1974)

83 Thumb Pierre Messmer
(1916–2007)
5 July 1972 5 April 1973 1 year, 326 days Union of Democrats for the Republic Messmer I [fr]
5 April 1973 1 March 1974 Messmer II [fr] V
(1973)
1 March 1974 27 May 1974 Messmer III [fr]
84 Thumb Jacques Chirac
(1932–2019)
27 May 1974 25 August 1976 2 years, 90 days Union of Democrats for the Republic Chirac I [fr] 20 Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Thumb
(1974–1981)
85 Thumb Raymond Barre
(1924–2007)
25 August 1976 30 March 1977 4 years, 269 days Miscellaneous right
(Union for French Democracy)
Barre I [fr]
30 March 1977 5 April 1978 Barre II [fr]
5 April 1978 21 May 1981 Barre III [fr] VI
(1978)
86 Thumb Pierre Mauroy
(1928–2013)
21 May 1981 23 June 1981 3 years, 57 days Socialist Party Mauroy I [fr] 21 François Mitterrand
Thumb
(1981–1995)
23 June 1981 22 March 1983 Mauroy II [fr] VII
(1981)
22 March 1983 17 July 1984 Mauroy III [fr]
87 Thumb Laurent Fabius
(b.1946)
17 July 1984 20 March 1986 1 year, 246 days Socialist Party Fabius [fr]
(84) Thumb Jacques Chirac
(1932–2019)
20 March 1986 10 May 1988 2 years, 51 days Rally for the Republic Chirac II [fr] VIII
(1986)
88 Thumb Michel Rocard
(1930–2016)
10 May 1988 28 June 1988 3 years, 5 days Socialist Party Rocard I
28 June 1988 15 May 1991 Rocard II IX
(1988)
89 Thumb Édith Cresson
(b.1934)
15 May 1991 2 April 1992 323 days Socialist Party Cresson [fr]
90 Thumb Pierre Bérégovoy
(1925–1993)
2 April 1992 29 March 1993 361 days Socialist Party Bérégovoy [fr]
91 Thumb Édouard Balladur
(b.1929)
29 March 1993 17 May 1995 2 years, 49 days Rally for the Republic Balladur [fr] X
(1993)
92 Thumb Alain Juppé
(b.1945)
17 May 1995 7 November 1995 2 years, 16 days Rally for the Republic Juppé I [fr] 22 Jacques Chirac
Thumb
(1995–2007)
7 November 1995 2 June 1997 Juppé II [fr]
93 Lionel Jospin
(b.1937)
2 June 1997 6 May 2002 4 years, 338 days Socialist Party Jospin XI
(1997)
94 Thumb Jean-Pierre Raffarin
(b.1948)
6 May 2002 17 June 2002 3 years, 25 days Liberal Democracy,
later Union for a Popular Movement
Raffarin I [fr]
17 June 2002 31 March 2004 Raffarin II [fr] XII
(2002)
31 March 2004 31 May 2005 Raffarin III [fr]
95 Thumb Dominique de Villepin
(b.1953)
31 May 2005 17 May 2007 1 year, 351 days Union for a Popular Movement Villepin [fr]
96 Thumb François Fillon
(b.1954)
17 May 2007 19 June 2007 4 years, 364 days Union for a Popular Movement Fillon I [fr] 23 Nicolas Sarkozy
Thumb
(2007–2012)
19 June 2007 14 November 2010 Fillon II [fr] XIII
(2007)
14 November 2010 15 May 2012 Fillon III
97 Thumb Jean-Marc Ayrault
(b.1950)
15 May 2012 21 June 2012 1 year, 320 days Socialist Party Ayrault I 24 François Hollande
Thumb
(2012–2017)
21 June 2012 31 March 2014 Ayrault II XIV
(2012)
98 Thumb Manuel Valls
(b.1962)
31 March 2014 26 August 2014 2 years, 250 days Socialist Party Valls I
26 August 2014 6 December 2016 Valls II
99 Thumb Bernard Cazeneuve
(b.1963)
6 December 2016 15 May 2017 160 days Socialist Party Cazeneuve
100 Thumb Édouard Philippe
(b.1970)
15 May 2017 21 June 2017 3 years, 49 days The Republicans,
later Independent
Philippe I 25 Emmanuel Macron
Thumb
(2017–)
21 June 2017 3 July 2020 Philippe II XV
(2017)
101 Thumb Jean Castex
(b.1965)
3 July 2020 16 May 2022 1 year, 317 days Independent Castex
102 Thumb Élisabeth Borne
(b.1961)
16 May 2022 4 July 2022 1 year, 238 days Renaissance[a] Borne I
4 July 2022 9 January 2024 Borne II XVI
(2022)
103 Thumb Gabriel Attal
(b.1989)
9 January 2024 5 September 2024 240 days Renaissance Attal
104 Thumb Michel Barnier
(b.1951)
5 September 2024 Present 66 days The Republicans Barnier XVII
(2024)
Close

Timeline

Executive Prime Ministers (1814 ― 1959)

Pierre PflimlinFélix GaillardMaurice Bourgès-MaunouryGuy MolletPierre Mendès FranceJoseph LanielRené MayerAntoine PinayEdgar FaureRené PlevenHenri QueuilleAndré MarieRobert SchumanPaul RamadierVincent AuriolGeorges BidaultFélix GouinCharles de GaulleFrançois DarlanPhilippe PétainPaul ReynardLéon BlumFernand BouissonPierre-Étienne FlandinAlbert SarrautÉdouard DaladierJoseph Paul-BoncourPierre LavalThéodore SteegCamille ChautempsAndré TardieuÉdouard HerriotFrédéric François-MarsalGeorges LeyguesAlexandre MillerandPaul PainlevéRené VivianiGaston DoumergueLouis BarthouRaymond PoincaréJoseph CallauxErnest MonisAristide BriandGeorges ClemenceauFerdinand SarrienÉmile CombesPierre Waldeck-RousseauJules MélineLéon BourgeoisJean Casimir-PerierCharles DupuyAlexandre RibotÉmile LoubetCharles FloquetPierre TirardMaurice RouvierRené GobletHenri BrissonArmand FallièresCharles DuclercLéon GambettaJules FerryCharles de FreycinetWilliam WaddingtonGaëtan de RochebouëtJules SimonLouis BuffetErnest Courtot de CisseyAlbert, duc de BroglieJules Armand DufaureLouis-Jules TrochuCharles Cousin-MontaubanÉmile OllivierLéon FaucherAlphonse Henri d'HautpoulOdilon BarrotLouis-Eugène CavaignacFrançois AragoJacques-Charles Dupont de l'EureFrançois GuizotLouis-Mathieu MoléAdolphe ThiersVictor de Broglie (1785–1870)Édouard MortierHugues-Bernard MaretÉtienne Maurice GérardJean-de-Dieu SoultCasimir Pierre PérierJacques LaffitteCasimir de Rochechouart, duc de MortemartJules de PolignacJean Baptiste Gay, vicomte de MartignacJean-Baptiste de VillèleÉlie, duc de DecazesJean-Joseph, Marquis DessollesArmand-Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis, Duc de RichelieuPierre Louis Jean Casimir de BlacasCharles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord

Non-executive Prime Ministers (since 1959)

Michel BarnierGabriel AttalÉlisabeth BorneJean CastexÉdouard PhilippeBernard CazeneuveManuel VallsJean-Marc AyraultFrançois FillonDominique de VillepinJean-Pierre RaffarinLionel JospinAlain JuppéÉdouard BalladurPierre BérégovoyÉdith CressonMichel RocardLaurent FabiusPierre MauroyRaymond BarreJacques ChiracPierre MessmerJacques Chaban-DelmasMaurice Couve de MurvilleGeorges PompidouMichel Debré

See also

Notes

  1. renamed from La République En Marche! in September 2022

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