1. HOW IS THE PRESIDENT CHOSEN?

Voters pick their head of state every five years in a direct election in which every vote has an equal weight. In theory, a candidate can win on the first ballot. In practice, the election has always gone to a second round, generally two weeks later. This year presidential voting will be held April 23 and May 7. Polling stations close between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time, and the result usually becomes clear before midnight.

to pick choisir, sélectionner; ici, élire / head of state chef d’État, président / weight poids, valeur / ballot vote, élection; ici, tour / round ici, tour / to be held ici, se dérouler / polling station bureau de vote.