French Senate: Charente gains for Socialist Party

Description:

Nicole Bonnefoy and Michel Boutant have succeeded in ousting Philippe Arnoud (MoDEM) and Henri de Richemont (UMP) from their Senate seats, in a dramatic day of voting on Sunday.  The socialist gains added to an improving picture nationally for the party, who had gained 23 seats overall. 

The Senate, which plays an equivalent role to that of the House of Lords in the UK, has been dominated for half a century by the right-wing UMP, and whilst this was an encouraging performance for the socialists, it does little to change that position.  Charente Maritime voted as expected and fill their three seats with UMP candidates, Claude Belot, Michel Doublet and Daniel Laurent.

This latest round of voting will culminate on Wednesday with the house electing a new President to replace the outgoing Christian Poncelet.  Former Prime Minister and current Vienne Senator Jean-Pierre Raffarin is in with a chance of taking that position.  The position of Senate President is one that, in the event of the incapacitation of the French President, would assume power over the country.

Ballots were cast by delegates of city councils as well as some lawmakers and regional counsellors. France now has 343 senators, with 12 new seats being created this time around.  For the first time, candidates have been elected for a period of 6 years rather than 9 years.  The Senate, which operates from the Luxembourg Palace, is said to represent grass-roots France, giving municipalities, départments and regions their say on government actions. 

Whilst the socialists have made encouraging gains in the Senate, they will take the first steps this week towards choosing a new leader, who they hope will be capable of mounting a challenge to President Nicolas Sarkozy.  Poitou Charentes President Segolene Royal will join the favourite Bertrand Delanoe (Mayor of Paris) and Martine Aubry in presenting their manifestos at the national council on Tuesday.  The party will elect a new leader in time for their conference in November.