In 1958 the constitution of the Fifth Republic, which has expanded the rights of the executive branch. President became General Charles de Gaulle. By 1960, in an atmosphere of the collapse of the colonial system won independence most of the French colonies in Africa.
In 1962, after the brutal war, Algeria gained independence. Profrantsuzskie Algerians came to France, where a fast-growing Muslim minority. Massive unrest Youth and Students (Mayskie events in France 1968), due to worsening economic and social contradictions, as well as the general strike caused a severe crisis of the public. Charles de Gaulle was forced to resign (1969).
The second President Fifth Republic in 1969 was elected gollist Georges Pompidou, in 1962-1968 has served as Prime Minister.
In 1974 he was succeeded by Valerie Giscard d'Estaing.
From 1981 to 1995 presidency was a socialist Francois Mitterrand.
From May 17, 1995 and re-elected in May 2002, President Jacques Chirac. Since May 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy.
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