The Election to the French Senate Could Strengthen the National Rally Before the Presidential Election

In September 2026, half of the French Senate – elected by members of regions’ and departments’ authorities – is to be renewed.

This non-democratic model of forming the Senate was initially conceived to stabilize France’s turbulent political life and enabled a center-right majority to dominate the Senate.

But things may change now, as the National Rally (Rassemblement National, RN) grows in popularity and does well at local elections. Now the RN has secured support from local elected officials in many small towns and regions.

Should the RN manage to form its own parliamentary group for the first time, this will have a number of political and strategic consequences, particularly regarding the presidential election. To achieve this, it needs at least ten seats in the Senate. Geography favors the RN, for departments in southern France, with promising prospects for the party, will take part in this election.

If the parliamentary group goal is achieved, this will significantly increase the National Rally's institutional weight. A parliamentary group in the Senate would bring in additional parliamentary rights, more financial resources, more staff and, above all, greater visibility in the political arena

The effect would be primarily political and symbolic. The RN could assert itself more strongly, not just as a protest movement any longer but as a force with a structural presence in both houses of parliament.

This would give it several advantages at the presidential election. A Senate faction would provide additional platforms for setting the agenda and maintaining a constant presence in national debates. At the same time, the National Rally could place greater emphasis on its territorial roots and use its local electoral successes to underpin a stronger claim for national leadership.

A strengthened position in the Senate would enable the RN to ramp up pressure on conservative actors – both in the parliamentary arena and with a view to possible cooperation at the local or national level. The formation of a parliamentary group in the Senate would thus be less a technical parliamentary step than a strategic milestone in the run-up to the presidential election.

In recent years, the French Senate has consolidated its position within the institutional framework of the Fifth Republic. It has established itself as an important forum for parliamentary oversight and political debate.

In the 2018 Benalla affair, involving a close aide to President Emmanuel Macron who impersonated a police officer at demonstrations and used violence against protesters, the Senate pursued its investigations to their conclusion, while the lower house, National Assembly, prematurely halted its own. The Senate also played a central role in the inquiry into the State's extensive use of private consulting firms like McKinsey and into the activities of Marianne Fund, a program established after the murder of teacher Samuel Paty to combat Islamist propaganda, whose controversial allocation of funds ultimately led to the resignation of then Secretary of State Marlène Schiappa.

While the National Assembly has the final say in the legislative process, the Senate possesses significant oversight and influence authority. Its investigative committees can uncover political scandals, shape public debate, and exert considerable pressure on the government.

Changes in the balance of power after the elections to the Senate are thus quite relevant to the political balance of power in France and can significantly influence the president’s and government's freedom of action.

Original publication: https://www.kas.de/en/country-reports/detail/-/content/senate-elections-in-france