The president of the Senate, in addition to his duties as presiding officer of the upper house of parliament, is also, according to the
Constitution of the Fifth Republic, first in line of succession in case of death, resignation, or removal by impeachment of the president, thus becoming Acting President of the Republic until a new election can be held. This has already occurred twice.
Alain Poher, the president of the French Senate, served as Acting President of France from 28 April until 20 June 1969 (between the resignation of President
Charles de Gaulle and the installation of his elected successor President
Georges Pompidou) and again from 3 April until 27 May 1974 (between the death of President
Georges Pompidou and the installation of his elected successor President
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing). ==List of officeholders==