Politics of Réunion

Réunion is an overseas département of France.

The island's conventional name is the Department of Réunion, or Réunion. The French flag is used on the island. The island's capital is Saint-Denis, and the island is divided into 4 arrondissements, 24 communes and 25 cantons.

Réunion is governed by French law under Article 73 of the Constitution of France, under which the laws and regulations are applicable as of right, as in metropolitan France. Suffrage is granted universally to all those over the age of 18.

Executive branch
The chief of state is the French President Emmanuel Macron, who is represented by Prefect Jacques Billant. The President of the Regional Council is Huguette Bello. The president of the Departmental Council is Cyrille Melchior.

Elections held in Réunion include the French presidential vote. A prefect is appointed by the president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior. The presidents of the General and Regional Councils are elected by members of those councils.

Legislative branch
The regional council has 45 seats, and exercises the powers of a French region and certain specific powers of an overseas region.

The departmental council has 50 seats, and exercises departmental powers.

Deputies
Réunion elects seven deputies to the National Assembly for five-year terms.

Senators
Réunion elects four senators to the Senate for six-year terms.

European Parliament
Réunion participates in French elections to the European Parliament. It was formerly a part of the Indian Ocean section of the Overseas constituency, before France reverted to a single constituency in 2019.

Judicial branch
The Judicial branch of the overseas département is run by the Cour d'Appel (Court of Appeals).

International organization participation
Reunion is a member in the Indian Ocean Commission (InOC) since 1986, and of the World Federation of Trade Unions.