How is French Guiana governed as a territorial collectivity of France?

French Guiana is governed as a territorial collectivity of France, functioning as an integral part of the French Republic under the provisions of the French constitution.1

Governance Structure

The territory's administration is divided between national and local authorities:

• National Representation: French Guiana sends two elected representatives to the French National Assembly and two to the Senate.1
• Local Government: Since December 2015, the territory has been governed by a single 51-member Assembly elected by universal adult suffrage. This legislative body replaced the former departmental and regional councils.213
• Executive Leadership: The local government is headed by a president, who serves as the head of government, working alongside a prefect appointed by the French government.13

The territory also maintains a local court of appeal and utilizes the French social-security system. While French Guiana remains under French administration, its political status has been a subject of ongoing public debate, with various movements advocating for greater autonomy or independence to address economic and social challenges.13