references
Public sessions
In “public sessions” in the hemicycle, Senators debate, vote and control the Government.
Senators adopt a position on the broad guidelines of each text then examine it in detail, article by article. They modify it by tabling amendments. Ministers must answer the questions put by Senators during dedicated sessions.
BREAKDOWN OF POLITICAL GROUPS IN THE HEMICYCLE
( BY NUMBER OF SEATS, AS OF 3 RD DECEMBER 2012 )
12 128
18
32 131
20
7
Communist, Republican and Citizen Group ( CRC ) Socialist Group ( SOC ) Ecologist Group ( Ecolo ) Democratic, Social and European Rally Group ( RDSE ) Democrats and Independents Union Group ( UDI-UC ) Union for a Popular Movement Group ( UMP ) Senators not appearing on the list of any group ( Non-Registered )
16