Politics of Poitou-Charentes

The Politics of Poitou-Charentes, France takes place in a framework of a presidential representative democracy, whereby the President of Regional Council is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Legislative power is vested in the regional council.

Executive
The executive of the region is led by the President of the regional council.

Legislative branch
The Regional Council of Poitou-Charentes (Conseil régional de Poitou-Charentes) is composed of 56 councillors, elected by proportional representation in a two-round system. The winning list in the second round is automatically entitled to a quarter of the seats. The remainder of the seats are allocated through proportional representation with a 5% threshold.

The Council is elected for a six-year term.

Other elections
In the 2007 legislative election, the PS won 11 seats, the UMP won 4, and the New Centre won one. In addition, one Socialist dissident (Miscellaneous Left won one seat in Charente.