souspréfet

A souspréfet is a French administrative official who assists a préfet within a department. The préfet is the chief representative of the French government in a department and is responsible for maintaining order, implementing national policies, and overseeing local administration. The souspréfet's primary role is to assist the préfet in these duties and to manage the affairs of a specific arrondissement within the department.

France is divided into departments, and each department is further subdivided into arrondissements. An arrondissement is an administrative division that is overseen by a souspréfet. The souspréfet is appointed by the President of the Republic on the proposal of the Minister of the Interior. They are typically a career civil servant with extensive experience in public administration.

The responsibilities of a souspréfet include ensuring the enforcement of laws and regulations within their arrondissement, managing local public services, coordinating the activities of different administrative bodies, and participating in local development projects. They also play a role in emergency management and public safety. In essence, the souspréfet acts as the préfet's representative at the arrondissement level, ensuring the efficient functioning of government administration outside of the departmental capital.