Gérard Larcher

For the first time ever, they have formed a parliamentary group in the Senate, joining forces with Éric Ciotti's UDR party.

The hard left France Unbowed also won its first seat, while conservative Gérard Larcher is expected to remain President of the chamber.

We have to clarify the mechanism of the French Senate to understand why this matters, though.

Okay, break it down.