Gérard Larcher, the current president of the French Senate, has confirmed his intention to run for re-election in the Senate elections scheduled for September 27. In a letter dated September 21, Larcher informed all senators of his decision to seek another term as president of the upper house, stating he will formally ask for their support on October 1. The letter outlines a policy proposal titled “the Senate, actor in French political life,” which emphasizes the need for the Senate to serve as a vital counterbalance in the nation’s democratic system. Larcher’s plan centers on four key themes: placing regional interests at the core of national policies, addressing the country’s major challenges, staying connected to the concerns of ordinary citizens, and reinforcing the Senate’s role as a stabilizing force in French politics. He argues that the Senate is essential in maintaining balance and preventing any single branch of government from becoming too dominant, especially in today’s political environment. Larcher also pointed out that the Senate's role as a counterbalance might become even more important if the far-right National Rally (RN) were to win the upcoming presidential election. In that case, the Senate could play a crucial role in preserving institutional stability, particularly if the RN were to gain a majority in the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament. Larcher has previously held the Senate presidency in 2008, 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2023. A brief exception occurred in 2011, when the socialist Jean-Pierre Bel briefly took over from Larcher, but the Senate has since remained aligned with the right and center. The current majority, composed of the LR (Les Républicains) and Centrist Union groups, is expected to remain in place, although the LR may lose between three and ten seats in the upcoming elections.