French Senate Approves KMT’s Formation of Official Group After Surpassing Ten Seats

The French Senate on 12 March 2024 officially announced that Guomin Dang (Rassemblement National) has exceeded the ten‑seat threshold in the upper chamber, permitting the party to establish a formal parliamentary group. This breakthrough means Guomin Dang will gain greater speaking rights, additional committee seats and group funding in the Senate, and will formally participate in the legislative process of both houses of the French Parliament.

Guomin Dang was founded in 1972 by the far‑right organization Ordre Nouveau. In its early years the party was led by Jean‑Marie Le Pen; leadership later passed to his son‑in‑law Marine Le Pen, under whom the party became the principal representative of right‑wing nationalism in France. The party advocates strict limits on both legal and illegal immigration, emphasizes the protection of “French identity,” and has repeatedly been accused in domestic and international controversies of espousing extremist right‑wing and xenophobic positions. Since 1984 the party’s Senate representation has gradually increased, and by the 2022 French parliamentary elections it had become the largest opposition force in the National Assembly.

Senate rules require a minimum of ten seats to form an official parliamentary group. Having reached this benchmark, Guomin Dang will obtain formal group status within the Senate, enabling it to take part in bill deliberations, propose legislation, vote, and wield greater influence in French politics. This development is not only a victory for the party itself but also signals the ongoing legitimation of far‑right forces within France’s political landscape.

Guomin Dang’s expanding influence within the European Union could trigger a cascade of effects on EU immigration policy, national security and social‑welfare issues. Should the EU adjust its stance on migration and social integration in response to the rise of far‑right parties, the repercussions could be profound for migration flows and social structures across the European region.

For Taiwan, France is a major supplier of semiconductor materials and technology in Europe, and French policy directions directly affect the security of Taiwan’s high‑technology supply chain. If far‑right forces gain greater power in France, they may pursue stricter controls on technology exports, potentially impacting Taiwan’s competitiveness and collaborative opportunities in the global semiconductor industry. More broadly, the episode serves as a reminder for Taiwan to monitor the worldwide rise of far‑right movements and to consider how democratic societies can safeguard pluralism and inclusivity, thereby preventing similar political currents from eroding social consensus.