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France 24
France 24
National
Florence VILLEMINOT

The French Senate: Old, expensive and out of touch or necessary safeguard to democracy?

French Connections the National Assembly France
Cover image: French Connections © FRANCE 24

France is gearing up for an election this Sunday, September 27 to renew just about half of the Senate's 348 red velvet seats. The French parliament is the country's bicameral legislature. The lower house (the National Assembly) tends to overshadow the upper house (the Senate). So what does the Senate actually do? Is it a powerful protector of the regions or a retirement club for old, mostly male politicians? We take a closer look in French Connections.

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