The French president is embarking on unpopular changes to labour law and other reforms he hopes will reinvigorate the economy. French broadcasters forecast that the Republicans will have between 146 and 156 seats in the forthcoming Senate, up from 142. The Senate voting system tends to give an advantage to local politicians from traditional parties instead of candidates of Macron’s party, many of whom are political newcomers. Many local officials are upset by Macron’s plan to slash the budgets of local authorities. Tens of thousands of people protested in Paris on Saturday over Macron’s labour law reforms.

Source: The Guardian September 24, 2017 19:28 UTC