François Patriat will not seek a fourth term in the September 2026 senatorial elections. The announcement marks the end of a long political career for this 83-year-old representative from Côte-d'Or, who has chaired the Rally of Democrats, Progressives and Independents group in the Senate for several years. Elected to the Luxembourg Palace in 2008, he established himself as one of Emmanuel Macron 's most ardent supporters within the Upper House. His retirement brings to a close a career that began in 1976 with his election to the Côte-d'Or General Council.
A socialist career that turned Macronist
A former member of the Socialist Party, which he joined in 1974, François Patriat held numerous ministerial positions under the Jospin government. Secretary of State for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and then Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, he also served as a member of parliament four times between 1981 and 2002. His involvement in local government led him to serve as mayor of Chailly-sur-Armançon for twelve years, before heading the Burgundy Regional Council from 2004 to 2015. This regional experience placed him at the forefront of the merger between Burgundy and Franche-Comté.
A pillar of the presidential camp in the Senate
The departure of the man some call President Macron's biggest fan deprives the presidential camp of a figure known for his outspoken and sometimes controversial stances. His term as senator was marked by unwavering support for the executive branch, in a Senate where the presidential majority remains in the minority. With the September elections approaching, the succession of the leader of the Macronist group is shaping up to be a strategic issue for Renaissance in Côte-d'Or.
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