Why do I need to know destitution?

Because people might use this term longingly when discussing their political adversaries.

What does it mean?

Destitution – roughly pronounced deh-stih-to-see-ohn – is a ‘false friend’ with the English term. In French, it does not refer to extreme poverty, but rather it is defined as “the action of removing or depriving someone from their office, job or function”.

It is also defined as “the most serious disciplinary action taken against a ministerial official or certain civil servants.”

Most of the time when you hear destitution used it would be to discuss the impeachment of a president.

So far, no French president has ever been impeached, and the constitutional article allowing for the process was only added in 2007.

In order to impeach a French president, there is a lengthy parliamentary process that requires the agreement of more than two thirds of both legislative chambers. You can read more about how destitution works here.

Use it like this

Le sénateur a proposé l’idée de la destitution du président. – The senator proposed the idea of impeaching the president.

J’aimerais qu’une procédure de destitution soit engagée. Ce président se comporte comme un dictateur depuis trop longtemps. – I would like to see an impeachment proceeding invoked. This president has acted like a dictator for too long.