The islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon form a French Overseas Collectivity (French: Collectivité d'Outre-Mer de Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon) which is self-governing with a parliamentary democracy. It is made up of the two communes of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The Executive branch is made up of the Head of State, who is the President of France and who is represented locally by a Prefect, and the Head of Government, who is the President of the Territorial Council and the cabinet (Cabinet du Prefet). The Territorial Council is the legislative branch, and it is made up of 19 members. Saint Pierre and Miquelon elects representatives to the Senate and National Assembly of France.

The President of France is elected through popular vote, and is eligible to serve two five-year terms. The position of Prefect is through appointment by the President of France on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister. It has no fixed term as the Prefect can be replaced at the French government’s discretion. The Territorial Council is elected in two stages. That is, a second ballot is held if no political group attains a true majority in the first round. Of the nineteen members, fifteen are for Saint Pierre, and the rest represent Miquelon.

The President of France’s official residence is called Elysee Palace (Palais de l’Élysée), and it became the official residence 1848. The building that houses the Territorial Council can be found at Church Square which is in Saint Pierre. The offices of the Prefect are at the Place du Lieutenant-Colonel Pigeaud which is also in Saint Pierre.

Political parties in Saint Pierre and Miquelon include Archipelago Tomorrow (Archipel demain), Road to the Future (Cap sur l'avenir), and Saint Piette and Miquelon Together (SPM Ensemble).

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

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