France’s far-right National Rally surges in Senate elections
Marine Le Pen hails ‘historic victory’ as her party and allies win enough seats to form caucus just months ahead of presidential poll
TL;DR
- Far-right National Rally (RN) party and allies secured a record 14 seats in the Senate.
- This win effectively quadruples the RN's previous representation in the 348-seat chamber.
- It is the first time the RN has cleared the 10-seat threshold to form a Senate caucus.
- Marine Le Pen called the results an 'historic victory' and a 'major milestone'.
- Nine RN senators were elected directly, with two more from ally party Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR).
- The RN aims to form a group in the Senate with UDR allies.
- This electoral success precedes a presidential poll where Marine Le Pen is considering her best chance at power.
- The hard-left France Unbowed party also won a seat for the first time.