The senatorial elections in France: an expected renewal
This Sunday marks the renewal of part of the French Senate with the election of 170 seats out of the 348 in the Upper House. This indirect ballot, which is reserved for “major voters” such as deputies, senators, regional, departmental and municipal councilors, arouses limited interest among citizens.
The election takes place mainly at the departmental level, with a combination of two voting methods. In departments where one or two senators are elected, the vote takes place in two rounds on the same day. In the other departments, the voting is proportional from list to one round.
The results of these senatorial elections should confirm the domination of the right and the center in the Senate, with few major changes expected. The right is moving forward without pressure, with Gérard Larcher at its head, vying for a sixth senatorial term before a probable re-election to the post of president of the Senate.
On the left, the Socialist Party intends to preserve its place as second group in the Senate. An alliance was concluded with the communists and ecologists in several departments, with the objective of obtaining 100 left-wing senators in the hemicycle.
The presidential majority risks paying for the limits of its local roots, with mixed results expected. Édouard Philippe’s Horizons party hopes to capitalize on its municipal victories to consolidate its presence in the Senate.
Finally, the National Rally, which is absent from the Senate, hopes to create a surprise in certain regions. The North, Pas-de-Calais and Moselle are the main territories targeted by the far-right party.
The results of these senatorial elections will be known at the end of the day and should confirm political stability in the Senate, with no major upheavals expected. The renewal of half of the Senate nevertheless constitutes an important step in the French political landscape, less than eight months before the next European elections.