Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Reunion

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Reunion.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: NA
Administrative Divisions: none (overseas department of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 4 arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantons
Legal System: French law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch: chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON of France (since 14 May 2017), represented by Prefect Jeannie DOUVRY (since 2023) head of government: President of the Departmental Council Cyrille MELCHIOR (since December 2020) and President of the Regional Council Huguette BELLO (since April 2021) cabinet: NA elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Departmental and Regional Councils are elected by the members of those councils
Legislative Branch: Réunion's legislature was restructured in 2015, when the former General Council and Regional Council were merged into a single body. The island is now governed by a unicameral Departmental Council (Conseil Départemental), which replaced the General Council, while the Regional Council (Conseil Régional) continues to operate as a separate but parallel assembly. Both councils each have 50 seats, with members elected by direct popular vote to serve six-year terms. Elections: Departmental Council - last held on 20 and 27 June 2021; Regional Council - last held on 20 and 27 June 2021. Election results: Departmental Council - seats by party - various left-wing and local alliance candidates holding the majority of seats, with the socialist-aligned Ensemble pour la Réunion coalition securing a dominant position; Regional Council - Huguette Bello of the left-wing Rassemblement alliance was elected President of the Regional Council following the 2021 elections, with her coalition securing a majority of seats over the outgoing majority led by Didier Robert (The Republicans/LR-aligned). Note: Réunion elects two representatives to the French Senate; elections last held in September 2023. Réunion also elects seven deputies to the French National Assembly; elections last held in June 2022, with seats distributed among La France Insoumise, various left-wing affiliates, and centrist candidates aligned with the national Ensemble coalition.
Judicial Branch: Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel
Political Parties: Communist Party of Reunion or PCR [Paul VERGES]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Andre Maurice PIHOUEE]; Socialist Party or PS [Jean-Claude FRUTEAU]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Gilbert GERARD]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP [leader NA]
Head of State: President Emmanuel MACRON of France, represented by Prefect Jeannie DOUVRY
Head of Government: President of the Departmental Council Cyrille MELCHIOR (since December 2020) and President of the Regional Council Huguette BELLO (since April 2021)
Elections: Departmental Council - last held on 20 and 27 June 2021; Regional Council - last held on 20 and 27 June 2021.
Election Results: Departmental Council - seats by party - various left-wing and local alliance candidates holding the majority of seats, with the socialist-aligned Ensemble pour la Réunion coalition securing a dominant position; Regional Council - Huguette Bello of the left-wing Rassemblement alliance was elected President of the Regional Council following the 2021 elections, with her coalition securing a majority of seats over the outgoing majority led by Didier Robert (The Republicans/LR-aligned). Note: Réunion elects two representatives to the French Senate; elections last held in September 2023. Réunion also elects seven deputies to the French National Assembly; elections last held in June 2022, with seats distributed among La France Insoumise, various left-wing affiliates, and centrist candidates aligned with the national Ensemble coalition.
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Independence: none (overseas department of France)
National Holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
International Organization Participation: InOC, WFTU
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: none (overseas department of France)
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: none (overseas department of France)

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Saint-Denis

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag Symbolism: the flag of France is used
Date of Adoption: 20 December 1996

National Anthem

Anthem History: overseas department of France

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