Régionaux

Régionaux, or élections régionales, are elections held to choose the members of a region's regional council, the elected body that governs a region in several countries where French is used in public administration. The regional council is responsible for regional-level policies and budgets, in areas such as economic development, transport and infrastructure, higher education and vocational training, cultural affairs, and environmental planning. In France, regional elections determine the composition of the Conseil régional, which then elects the regional president to head the regional executive. The state is represented locally by a prefect who ensures the implementation of national policy within the region, while the regional council handles regional matters.

The electoral system and calendar for régionaux vary by country. In France, regional elections are conducted under a form of proportional representation with a majority bonus intended to secure a working majority in the council. The term length is six years. The most recent regional elections in France were held in June 2021, and the next are expected to take place in 2027. Other francophone regions and countries also organize regional elections under their own legal frameworks, with different party systems, competences, and schedules.

Historically, regional governance has been used to decentralize political power and tailor public policies to local conditions. Régionaux reflect the balance between national and regional authorities, as well as the influence of national parties at the local level. The specific responsibilities and processes associated with régionaux depend on the constitutional and administrative framework of each country.