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French election
Quiz: How much do you know about French presidents?
Fièvre électorale.
THE FIRST ROUND of the 2022 French presidential election kicks off tomorrow.
Opinion polls earlier in the campaign had Emmanuel Macron securing another term at a canter. However, the race has tightened in recent weeks with right-wing challenger Marine Le Pen gaining ground on the incumbent.
Both candidates are expected to be in the run-off, which is set for 24 April.
To mark the French election season, test how much you know about the highest office in France and the people who have held the job.
Macron is the current office holder, but who did he replace?
François Fillon
François Hollande
François Mitterrand
Nicolas Sarkozy
What’s the President’s official residence?
Alamy
The Élysée Palace
Palais Bourbon
Louvre Castle
Palace of Versailles
Which President fought in the first and second world wars?
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Alain Poher
Charles De Gaulle
Georges Pompidou
François Mitterrand
Under the current rules (things were different in the past), how long does a president’s term last?
Four years
Five years
Six years
Seven years
How many terms are allowed?
Only one
Two consecutive terms
As many as can be won
Which of the following was NOT president?
Charles de Gaulle
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing
Dominique de Villepin
Jacques Chirac
Who is this with Bertie Ahern?
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That's Jacques Chirac
It's Nicolas Sarkozy
François Hollande
Georges Pompidou
Who is this with Leo Varadkar?
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Giscard d'Estaing
Sarkozy
Macron
Hollande
Which one of these presidents was NOT convicted of corruption?
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Chirac
Alamy
Sarkozy
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They were both convicted of corruption
Which one did NOT separate from his wife and begin a relationship with a celebrity during his time in office?
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Hollande
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Sarkozy
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They both did that
Back in the days of France’s Third Republic (1870-1940), a man by the name of Patrice de _____________ was president from 1873 to 1879.
Wikimedia Commons
O’Carroll
McNally
MacMahon
Ryan
Odd one, the President of France is also the co-prince of Andorra.
That's true
That is completely false
As well as that they also hold the title of Honorary Canon of the Archbasilica of St John Lateran in Rome.
That’s also true
No. You just made that up
Finally, how many female presidents of France have there been?
0
2
4
8
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You scored out of !
Charles De Gaulle (1959-1969)
You did great. France’s biggest airport is named after you.
Alamy
You scored out of !
Charles De Gaulle (1959-1969)
You did great. France’s biggest airport is named after you.
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You scored out of !
François Mitterrand (1981-1995)
You were France’s longest serving President. Nicely done.
Wikimedia Commons
You scored out of !
Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (1848 - it's complicated)
Nephew of Napoléon I. You were France’s first president. Unfortunately you get a black mark for provoking a self-coup and declaring yourself emperor.
Wikimedia Commons
You scored out of !
Alain Poher (1969 - 1969, 1974 - 1974)
Although you briefly served as president (twice), ultimately you were… forgettable.
Wikimedia Commons
You scored out of !
Albert Lebrun (1932 - 1940)
You said it yourself in June 1940 (as France fell to the Nazis and your time as president came to an end): "The uselessness of the struggle was demonstrated. An end must be made."
Alamy
You scored out of !
Nicolas Sarkozy (2007 - 2012)
Twice convicted of corruption and you lost your re-election bid. Poor effort.
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