Bas-Rhin senatorial elections feature duel over Alsace autonomy

The 2026 senatorial elections in Bas-Rhin are shaping up to be a contest between two right-wing factions, both centered on the political issue of Alsace exiting the Grand Est region.

One faction is led by incumbent Senator Elsa Schalck, who has joined David Lisnard’s Nouvelle Énergie movement. Her list includes Marc Séné, who previously supported André Reichardt but chose Schalck’s camp due to disagreements with the opposing list. Schalck’s campaign is supported by the Unser Land autonomists.

The opposing list is led by Laurence Muller Bronn. Muller Bronn argues she is the most legitimate candidate to represent the movement to leave the Grand Est, noting she has never served on a Grand Est regional council. Her campaign faces scrutiny regarding past controversies involving controversial guests at Senate colloquiums, though she defends her actions as an exercise of freedom.

A third perspective is represented by Laurent Furst, who supports the idea of an Alsace region but advocates for working within existing institutions in the interim.