Senate Sénat | |
|---|---|
| 21st Senate of the Fifth Republic | |
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| Type | |
| Type | of the French Parliament |
| History | |
| Founded | 4 October 1958 |
| Preceded by | Council of the Republic (Fourth Republic) |
New session started | 2 October 2023 |
| Leadership | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 348 |
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Political groups | |
Length of term | 6 years |
| Elections | |
| Indirect election | |
First election | 26 April 1959 |
Last election | 24 September 2023 |
Next election | September 2026 |
| Meeting place | |
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| Salle des Séances Luxembourg Palace Paris, French Republic | |
| Website | |
| www | |
| Constitution | |
| Constitution of 4 October 1958 | |
| Rules | |
| Standing Orders of the Senate (English) | |
48°50′54″N 2°20′14″E / 48.84833°N 2.33722°E The Senate (French: Sénat, [sena]) is the upper house of the French Parliament, with the lower house being the National Assembly, the two houses constituting the legislature of France. It is made up of 348 senators (sénateurs and sénatrices)[b] elected by part of the country's local councillors in indirect elections. Senators have six-year terms, with half of the seats up for election every three years. They represent France's departments (328),[c] overseas collectivities (8)[d] and citizens abroad (12).[e]
Senators' mode of election varies upon their constituency's population size: in the less populated constituencies (one or two seats), they are elected individually, whereas in more populated ones (three seats or more), they are elected on lists. It is common for senators to hold dual mandates, such as in a regional council or departmental council.
The Senate enjoys less prominence than the National Assembly, which is elected on direct universal ballot and upon the majority of which the Government relies: in case of disagreement, the Assembly can in many cases have the last word, although the Senate keeps a role in some key procedures, such as constitutional amendments. However, following the 2024 snap legislative election and the ensuing political fragmentation in the Assembly, the newly-appointed Barnier government holds a majority in the Senate but not in the Assembly, a first under the Fifth Republic,[1] marking "a form of strengthening of the Senate".[2]
Bicameralism was first introduced in France amid the French Revolution in 1795; as in many countries, it assigned the upper chamber with the role of moderating the lower, although for a long time as an ally of the executive. The present selection mode of the Senate dates back to the start of the Third Republic, when it was turned into what Léon Gambetta famously called a "grand council of the communes of France". Over time, it developed a sense of independence as a "guardian of the institutions" and "guardian of liberties", favoured by the fact that senators are on average older than deputies in the Assembly, joining the Senate in the later part of their career. Debates in the Senate tend to be less tense and generally receive less media coverage. As a result of its election relying on what is often summed up as rural mayors, it has had a right-wing majority since 1958, with only a three-year exception in 2011–2014.
The President of the Senate is to step in as acting President of France in case of an incapacitation or a vacancy, which last happened in 1974. The officeholder also appoints three members of the Constitutional Council. Since 2014, Gérard Larcher has been President of the Senate.
The Senate is housed inside the Luxembourg Palace in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. Like the National Assembly, it is guarded by Republican Guards. In front of the building lies the Senate's garden, the renowned Jardin du Luxembourg, open to the public.
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).
- ^ Pierre Januel (8 October 2024). "Gouvernement Barnier : le Sénat, pilier du gouvernement". La Croix (in French).
- ^ François Vignal (14 September 2024). "Le Sénat va-t-il voir son poids politique renforcé avec le gouvernement Barnier ?". Public Sénat (in French).