French far-right National Front takes first seats in Senate Three years after France's upper house Senate made its first ever swing to the left, the right has clawed back a majority, with the far-right National Front winning seats for the first time. Stephane Ravier, one of the successful FN candidates, reflected the party's upbeat mood, saying: "Now there is only one more door to push open, that of the Elysee." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES.