far right parties

France's far-right National Rally has made a strong showing in Senate elections, according to reports. The result marks a notable advance for the party led by Marine Le Pen's movement in the upper house of the French parliament. Commentators are weighing what the gain means for the broader rise of the French far right ahead of future national votes.

A new Israeli election poll puts former military chief Gadi Eisenkot level with Benjamin Netanyahu, while far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich's party reaches a record high in support. The figures suggest a tightening race in Israel ahead of the next national vote, with shifts on both the centrist and far-right ends of the political map drawing attention.

France's far-right National Rally has made significant gains in indirect Senate elections, marking a breakthrough in a chamber where it previously held almost no seats. The result points to the party's growing entrenchment across French political institutions, extending its influence beyond the National Assembly. Observers see it as another sign of the far right's normalisation in French politics, with implications for President Macron's already weakened position.

Commentary argues that Europe's radical right movements draw their strength not simply from ideology but from a widespread feeling of loss — economic, cultural and social — among parts of the population. The piece suggests mainstream politics has failed to address this grievance, allowing far right parties to expand their influence across the continent.

Attention is turning to the 2026 French senatorial elections, in which part of the upper house's seats come up for renewal by an electoral college of local officials. The country's indirect vote for the Sénat is being followed for what it may reveal about the balance of power between mainstream parties and the far right ahead of future national contests. Discussion centres on the expected results and composition of the chamber.