Marine Le Pen hails ‘historic victory’ as her party and allies win enough seats to form caucus just months ahead of presidential poll

The French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has said her 2027 presidential campaign will be boosted after her anti-immigration party, the National Rally (RN), and its allies secured a record 14 seats in partial senate elections this weekend.

Le Pen called the results a “historic victory” and “major milestone” after her party cleared the 10-seat threshold to be able to form a senate group for the first time, following an indirect vote by local officials including mayors and councillors.

The party’s progress in the senate will allow them higher visibility and more funding in the second house of parliament ahead next spring’s presidential election. Le Pen is currently polling high as Emmanuel Macron prepares to step down after ten years in office.