Parliament: Conservatives probably have the upper hand in the French Senate

After the partial elections for the French Senate, a majority for civil rights is once again emerging. Many senators had been re-elected, the media reported in the evening, citing initial partial results.

Around 77,000 local and regional politicians were called to vote. 170 of the 348 seats in the upper house of parliament will be re-allocated in indirect elections.

Left bearing also stable

As a former popular party, the Républicains are well anchored in the area – in contrast to Macron’s Renaissance party. French media reported that the head of state’s priority in the election was to hold on to his own seats and that his camp had no great hopes of making gains.

The number of seats also seems to remain stable in the left-wing camp. The joint appearance of socialists, greens and communists in some areas may have paid off. Marine Le Pen’s right-wing nationalist party made it back into the parliamentary chamber with 38-year-old Christopher Szczurek in Pas-de-Calais in northern France.

Macron has to continue to win votes

The Senate consists of 348 members who are elected for six years. About half of the seats are filled every three years.

The Senate has a say in the legislation. In conflicts with the National Assembly, the representatives there have more control. But with the Macron camp losing its absolute majority in the National Assembly last year, the Senate has become more important as a negotiating partner for the government.

For Macron and the government, the result means that they must continue to seek votes from representatives and senators for their political projects. In the Senate, they are likely to hope for increased support from the conservatives, who also voted for the highly controversial pension reform.