CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

The President of Faso is elected for five years by direct, equal and secret universal suffrage. He is re-eligible once.

When the President of Faso is temporarily unable to fulfill his functions, his power will be exerted in the interim by the prime minister.

Sub-paragraph 2 (Law N° 003-2000/AN of April 11, 2000)

In case of vacancy of the presidency of Faso, or of absolute or final impediment noted by the constitutional council seized by the government, the functions of the president of Faso are exerted by the president of the National Assembly.

Sub-paragraph 3 (Law N° 003-2000/AN of April 11, 2000)

He is preceded at the election by a new president for a new term of five years.

Sub-paragraph 4 (Law N° 003-2000/AN of April11, 2000)

The election of the new president is held at least thirty one days and at last sixty days after the official observation of the vacancy or the report of final impediment.
Under no circumstances, can there be any application of articles 46, 49, 50, 59 et 161 of this Constitution during the vacancy of the Presidency.

Before taking up duty, the president elected will take the following oath before the constitutional council: "I swear before the Burkinabé people and on my honor to preserve, respect, and ensure respect and defend the constitution and laws, to do everything possible to guarantee justice for all the inhabitants of Burkina Faso.
During the inducement ceremony, the president of the constitutional council receives the written declaration of the assets of the president of Faso.

The law sets the civil list used by the president of Faso. It organizes the service of a pension in favor of the former Presidents.

The president appoints the prime minister, and ends his functions, either on the presentation by this one of his resignation, or on his own initiative for the greater interest of the nation.
By proposal of the prime minister, he both appoints other members of the government, and ends their functions.

The president of Faso chairs the cabinet meetings. The prime minister stands in for him under the conditions fixed by the present constitution

The president of Faso is the Commander in Chief of the national army forces; for this reason, he chairs the Higher Council of Defense.
He appoints the chief of staff general of the armies.

The President of Faso is the President of the Higher Council of the Magistrature.

The president of Faso has the right of reprieve. He proposes the laws of amnesty.

The president of Faso appoints for the positions in the High Civil and Military Administration, as well as within enterprises and companies which are considered strategic by the law
He appoints the ambassadors extraordinary and envoys to the foreign powers and international organizations.
 The ambassadors extraordinary and envoys are accredited by him.
He appoints the chancellor of the Burkinabé orders.

When the  Institutions of Faso, the independence of the nation, the integrity of his territory or the execution of his engagements are threatened in a serious and immediate way and/or that the regular operation of the constitutional authorities are interrupted, the president of Faso takes, after deliberation in the cabinet meeting, after official consultations with the presidents of the national assembly, the chamber of representatives, and the constitutional council, the requested measures under those circumstances. He informs the nation by a message. Under no circumstances can foreign army forces intervene in an interior conflict. The national assembly automatically meets and can not be dissolved during the exercise of exceptional authority.

The president of Faso can delegate some of his powers to the prime minister.