The far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally, RN) is set to form a formal group in the Senate for the first time in the party's history following indirect elections held on 27 September. The RN and its allies will hold at least 15 seats in the 348-member Senate, above the 10 seats required to form an official group.
- This will entitle the RN and its allies to hold seats on the Conference of Presidents, which organises the chamber's work; receive an annual subsidy; be awarded more speaking time in debates, and gain seats on standing committees.
- Half of the Senate is up for election every three years, with senators serving a six-year term. The elections take place in constituencies based on the departments of France, with ~150,000 grands electueurs (mainly councillors and their appointed delegates) casting ballots. Due to the bias of rural over urban constituencies, conservatives have long dominated the Senate.
- The change in group sizes was relatively minimal. The gains for the far-right came largely at the expense of the conservative Republicans (down six) and the Radical Left group (down four).
- The far-left La France Insoumise (France Unbowed, LFI), led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, won its first-ever seat in the Senate.
- Despite the losses, the Republicans remain the largest single group by a significant margin, with Senate President Gerard Larcher likely to retain his position.
- The result will not change the policy outlook for France. However, it will sustain momentum for the RN ahead of a busy legislative season and next year's presidential election.