Politics of Réunion

This article concerns the politics of Réunion, an overseas département of France.

The island's conventional name is the "Department of Réunion", or "Réunion", and a local form of the name is "Île de la Réunion". The flag used on the island is that of France. The island's capital is Saint-Denis, and the island is divided into four arrondissements, 24 communes and 47 cantons.

Réunion is governed by French law, and its constitution is the French constitution of 28 September 1958. Suffrage is granted universally to all those over the age of 18.

The national holiday of the island is July 14, Bastille Day, commemorating the "Fête de la Fédération" in 1790. The island's data code is "RE".

Executive branch

The chief of state is the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, who is represented by Prefect Pierre-Henry Maccioni (as of 26 August 2006). The head of government is Nassimah Dindar, the president of the general council (from March 2004), and the president of the regional council Paul Verges (as of March 1993).

Elections held in Réunion include the French presidential vote, in which a president is elected by popular vote for a five year term. 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

There is a unicameral general council, with 47 seats, and a unicameral regional council with 45 seats. Members of both are elected by direct vote for six year terms.

Composition

Current Deputies

Réunion elects three representatives to the French Senate and four to the National Assembly.

Judicial branch

Court of Appeals or "Cour d'Appel"

International organization participation

FZ, InOC, WFTU