The National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, won enough seats in Sunday’s Senate elections to form its first parliamentary group in the upper house, according to near-final results. Le Pen called the outcome a "historic victory", and the party's gains were aided by support from a right-wing splinter led by Éric Ciotti. The new status gives the party greater speaking time and procedural rights in the Senate and strengthens Le Pen’s positioning for the 2027 presidential race, though her campaign faces legal uncertainty over an embezzlement conviction now under appeal.
National Rally Secures First Parliamentary Group In French Senate, Boosting Le Pen Ahead Of 2027
FILE PHOTO - The Front National's leading candidate, Marine Le Pen, addresses her supporters in Henin-Beaumont, after the first round of the presidential election in France. (is associated with: «French far right to form first Senate parliamentary group») Kay Nietfeld/dpa
Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally achieved a milestone in Sunday's Senate elections, winning enough seats to form its first parliamentary group in France's upper chamber, according to near-final results reported by French media.
In a post on X, Le Pen hailed the outcome as a "historic victory" and a "major milestone," writing that the results had "exceeded all our expectations" and signalled the party's expanding appeal across the country.
"The results have exceeded all our expectations; the breakthrough is comprehensive, confirming the growing popularity of the National Rally across the whole country," she wrote.
About half of the Senate's 348 seats were up for renewal in this vote — 178 seats in total. French senators are chosen indirectly: roughly 93,500 elected officials, mainly local and regional representatives, formed the electoral college that cast ballots in Sunday's poll.
Before the election the conservative Republicans were the chamber's largest group with 131 seats, while President Emmanuel Macron's allies held 19. The National Rally previously had only three senators, well below the 10-seat threshold required to form a recognised parliamentary group.
FILE PHOTO - King Charles III addresses parliamentarians in the Senate Chamber, at Luxembourg Palace, during day two of the state visit to France. (is associated with: «French far right to form first Senate parliamentary group») Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror via PA Wire/dpa
Party gains on Sunday were helped by support from a new right-wing splinter formation led by Éric Ciotti, a former Republican chairman. Reaching parliamentary-group status grants the National Rally expanded rights in the Senate, including greater speaking time, increased ability to put formal questions to the government and more influence over the chamber's agenda.
The result strengthens Le Pen's standing as she prepares for a presidential campaign next year. The party, which has already been the largest group in the National Assembly since the 2024 general election, has been attempting to broaden its appeal by moderating its tone.
Le Pen's run remains clouded by legal uncertainty: an appeals court upheld a conviction for embezzling EU funds in July, a decision she immediately appealed. Depending on how quickly France's Court of Cassation rules, she could still face electronic monitoring during a campaign — a measure that would restrict her movements — though a presidency would confer immunity and delay enforcement of any sentence until after a term in office.
While the Senate plays a role in lawmaking, the National Assembly can override it in cases of disagreement between the two houses. Authorities expected to publish the official final results of Sunday's election on Monday.
File photo: King Charles III addresses parliamentarians in the Senate Chamber at Luxembourg Palace during a state visit to France. (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror via PA Wire/dpa)
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