RN wins Senate seats and strengthens Le Pen's position ahead of presidential election

The RN previously had three seats, at least ten are needed to form a parliamentary group. As a parliamentary group, the RN now has more rights, such as speaking time, asking questions of the government and setting the agenda.

In the evening, Le Pen spoke of a “historic victory” and the achievement of an important milestone. »The results exceed all our expectations, the breakthrough is comprehensive and confirms the increasing spread of the Rassemblement National throughout the national territory.«

Election success with a signal effect

Shortly before the presidential election, the RN's increase in power has more of a signaling effect than a power-political significance. Since the parliamentary elections in 2024, the RN has been the largest faction in the more important National Assembly. The results of the Senate election strengthen Le Pen and her party ahead of the next elections.

The Senate consists of 348 members who are elected for six years. About half of the seats are filled every three years. Senators are elected indirectly. Around 93,500 local and regional politicians were called to vote. Although the Senate is involved in legislation, it must submit to the vote of the lower house in the event of conflicts with the National Assembly. The official final results of the election will be published on Monday.

Whether Le Pen will be elected president next spring depends on who enters the race for the other political camps. But these have not yet sorted themselves out - except for France's Left Party, for which Jean-Luc Mélenchon is running again. Le Pen's chances of making it to the runoff are good: she has been well ahead in the polls for months with more than 30 percent.

However, Le Pen could still recover her conviction for embezzling EU funds (more on that here). Le Pen has appealed against this. Depending on how quickly a decision is made in court, the 58-year-old could face wearing an ankle bracelet and restricted freedom of movement in the middle of the election campaign. If elected president, Le Pen would enjoy immunity.