French Far Right Gains Senate Seats as Polls Show Le Pen Leading

In France in late September 2026, Marine Le Pen's National Rally won 15 Senate seats, enough to form its own group in the upper house for the first time. At the same time, several polls put Le Pen ahead of rivals for the 2027 presidential election, including matchups against Édouard Philippe and Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

One poll showed Le Pen and Mélenchon reaching the second round in all scenarios, while another indicated Le Pen would win against Philippe. The Senate result marks a new level of representation for the party in the chamber.