Four of France's five Republics have had presidents as their heads of state, making the French presidency the oldest presidency in Europe still to exist in some form.
However, in each of the Republics' constitutions, the President's powers, functions and duties - and his relation with French governments - have differed. –
Under the Third and Fourth Republic, which were parliamentary systems, the office of President of the Republic was a largely ceremonial and powerless one.
The constitution of the current Fifth Republic greatly increased the President's powers.
Consequently the Presidency is easily the most powerful position in the French political system.