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France’s far-right National Rally (RN) and its ally, the Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR), have for the first time secured the opportunity to form a political group in the Senate.
Elections were held Sunday for 178 of the Senate’s 348 seats in 64 of France’s 101 departments. Senators are elected indirectly, mainly by an electoral college made up of locally elected representatives.
RN strengthens its position in the Senate
Nine RN candidates won Senate seats in the election. They will join the party’s three incumbent senators. Three senators from the UDR, led by Eric Ciotti, are also expected to join the group. A 15-member group is therefore planned.
At least 10 senators are required to form a political group in the Senate. Before the vote, the RN had only three senators and lacked the numbers to establish a group on its own.
Political group status will give the RN additional parliamentary resources and influence, including more speaking time, parliamentary staff and broader representation on Senate committees.
RN leader Marine Le Pen welcomed the result, saying it had exceeded expectations. She said the newly elected senators would play an important role in the party’s presidential election campaign.
Traditional right retains control of the Senate
Despite the RN’s gains, the balance of power in the Senate has largely remained unchanged. Traditional right-wing and centrist forces have retained control of the chamber.
The Republicans remain the largest political force, with 123 senators. Their centrist allies hold around 72 seats. The two blocs are expected to retain their majority.
The “France Unbowed” movement also won its first Senate seat in the election. Gabriel Amard secured a mandate in the Rhone department.
Focus turns to the 2027 presidential election
Sunday’s Senate election was France’s last nationwide electoral test before the 2027 presidential election. Parties are positioning themselves as they prepare for the contest to succeed President Emmanuel Macron.
Le Pen confirmed in July that she would seek the presidency. After the Paris Court of Appeal eased a ban on holding public office, she no longer faces a legal obstacle to taking part in the 2027 election. Le Pen has appealed the ruling to the Court of Cassation, France’s highest court for criminal and civil matters.
Former Socialist President François Hollande has also raised the possibility of standing in the election. Hollande, 72, who served as president from 2012 to 2017, said he would consider his candidacy only if exceptional circumstances emerged and he believed he had a realistic chance of reaching the runoff and winning.
Hollande said France was facing a more dangerous international environment and that Europe was undergoing an “existential crisis.”
