French Senate

French voters are heading to the polls in the 2026 Senate elections, with grand electors in around sixty departments called to cast ballots. The vote is the last nationwide election before the 2027 presidential election, giving it added political weight. French media are providing live coverage of the results and what they mean for the balance of the upper house.

Fabien Roussel, leader of the French Communist Party, has pledged not to attack Jean-Luc Mélenchon too harshly ahead of the presidential election. His campaign director, senator Ian Brossat, told La Tribune that "we will not fall into aggressiveness." The olive branch toward the veteran left-wing rival is drawing attention as the French left weighs unity against competition in the race.