Marine Le Pen gains three seats at French senate election in humiliation for Macron
Marine Le Pen gained three seats at the French senate elections amid a growing right wing rave sweeping across Europe
X: @MLP_officiel / PA
Marine Le Pen gained three seats at the French senate elections amid a growing right wing rave sweeping across Europe, in what can be seen as a major humiliation for Emmanuel Macron.
At last night's French senate election, Le Pen's far-right National Rally had a breakthrough, getting three of its candidates elected.
Meanwhile, the election served a major blow to Emmanuel Macron, as the only member of his government running in the election - Secretary of State for Citizenship Sonia Backès - was defeated in the French territory of New Caledonia.
The Senate is indirectly elected by France's mayors as well as regional, departmental and municipal councillors. Half of the Senate's 348 seats were being contested.
the election served a major blow to Emmanuel Macron, as the only member of his government running in the election - Secretary of State for Citizenship Sonia Backès - was defeated in the French territory of New Caledonia
PA
While the Senate has less influence over legislating than the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, it is the assembly which has the last word in cases of disagreement over legislation.
Given Macron's party lost its majority in June last year, senators have more power when compromise is necessary with the upper house to pass legislation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is under threat, as with just one year to go until the EU elections, a right wing wave could topple her.
Von der Leyen will need the support of a majority of EU countries, including Meloni, in order to secure another term in office.
While Von der Leyen has not officially announced whether or not she is running in next year's European elections, Hungary's Viktor Orban is hoping to secure a right-wing majority and oust the EU chief.
His right-hand man, Balázs Orbán said: "We were very supportive of her.
"But now she’s pushing her own political agenda without consulting member states, on geopolitics, relationship with the U.S. and China, on war issues, sanctions."
He accused Von der Leyen of being at the helm of a "divisive" routine, saying that "the way the Commission is operating is not good for unity".
He added: "They come up with a proposal and then put pressure on member states to say yes."
Hungary is hoping to form a right-wing majority in the European parliament, with Balázs Orbán optimistically saying: "I think we have a chance, I think it will be very close.
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"In France, the right will win. In Italy, the right will win, in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Poland, the right is going to win, and those are the biggest countries.
"In Spain, it will be close. In all major countries some kind of right is going to win."
Meanwhile, on the left, the party of European Socialists, an umbrella group of centre-left parties, are drawing up plans to select a lead candidate who will be put forward to challenge Von der Leyen.