National Rally Quadruples Senate Presence, Forms First Caucus Ahead of 2027 Presidential Race
France’s far-right National Rally (RN) and its allies secured a record 14 seats in the 348-seat Senate, effectively quadrupling their presence and forming the party’s first-ever parliamentary caucus. This milestone, achieved in indirect elections where local officials vote for half the upper chamber, positions RN as a major force ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Marine Le Pen hailed the result as a historic victory, noting it exceeded expectations. The RN won nine new seats, joined by two from ally Eric Ciotti’s UDR party and three retained from 2023. This shift challenges the traditional right-wing dominance of the Senate, where the Republicans (LR) remain influential but face growing competition. The development signals RN’s rising institutional power as it prepares for a presidential bid against outgoing centrist President Emmanuel Macron.
