French Far Right Wins 14 Senate Seats, Forms Caucus

National Rally and its ally, Eric Ciotti's Union of the Right for the Republic, won 14 seats in France's indirect Senate election on September 27, 2026. Nine new RN senators were elected, joining three the party already held from 2023; UDR took two more. That total clears the 10-seat threshold required to form a caucus in the 348-member chamber, where 178 seats were up. Local and regional elected officials cast the ballots. Senators serve six-year terms. Marine Le Pen declared a historic victory. "This is a historic victory, and a major milestone with the formation for the first time of a group in the Senate," she said on X. She added that the results exceed all expectations and confirm the growing popularity of the Rassemblement National throughout the country. RN president Jordan Bardella announced the party's senators would form a group with their UDR allies. Les Républicains previously held 131 seats and the chamber remains under their dominance. Official final results were to be released Monday.