The senatorial elections in France have officially begun, with candidates registering for the race starting Monday, September 7. This date marks the start of the period during which candidates can submit their names in the prefectures, with the deadline set for Friday. The actual election will take place on Sunday, September 27. More than half of the current 348 senators are seeking re-election, including those representing departments ranging from Ain (01) to Indre (36), as well as Bas-Rhin (67) to Territoire de Belfort (90), and several overseas territories. These candidates will be voted on by approximately 93,500 grand electors, who are mostly local elected officials. The election is expected to influence the political balance in the Senate, with special attention on the potential rise of the National Rally and La France Insoumise. The current majority in the Senate, formed by Les Républicains (131 seats) and the centrist Union (59 seats), is likely to remain intact, as the Senate is largely elected by local officials who have traditionally supported the right and center. However, Les Républicains may face some setbacks, particularly in the Mediterranean regions where the right has recently lost some local elections. For example, cities like Menton and Nice, in the Alpes-Maritimes, were won by the National Rally and its allies. On the left, the ecologists are in a precarious situation, as they face challenges in maintaining their presence in the Senate. The socialists, with 64 seats, are expected to remain the second-largest group, just ahead of the centrist union. The communists, with 18 seats, are relatively stable, as their positions are not up for re-election in this cycle. However, the ecologists, with 16 seats, may be in trouble after losing several mayoral elections in 2026. Political scientist Benjamin Morel warns of a possible long-term decline for the ecologist group, though not necessarily in this election. The Macronist group, RDPI (19 seats), is facing several challenges, including the absence of its founder, François Patriat, who passed away in August, and the weak local presence of the presidential party. The group also consists largely of overseas elected officials who may not be fully committed to the party. Despite these issues, political scientist Benjamin Morel believes the RDPI will remain in the Senate. The same applies to the groups from Horizons (LIRT, 20 seats) and the radicals (RDSE, 17 seats). The National Rally is aiming to form its first-ever senatorial group, potentially with 10 members. If successful, this would be a historic milestone for the party and could generate significant media attention. According to political historian David Bellamy, this development could influence voters ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Meanwhile, La France Insoumise is also seeking to make history by securing a senator. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who previously served as a socialist senator, is focusing on the Rhône region, where his movement holds several mayoral positions.