President Macron to have own party group in French upper house

French President Emmanuel Macron attends the 'World Environment Pact' meeting at the Sorbonne where he promised to play an active role in a campaign aimed at securing a global pact to protect the human right to a clean and healthy environment in Paris, France, June 24, 2017. REUTERS/Etienne Laurent/Pool

PARIS (Reuters) - After winning a large majority in the French lower house this month, new President Emmanuel Macron's party will also be able to count on its own contingent of senators in the upper house, which could prove useful for constitutional reforms.

Socialist senator and Macron loyalist Francois Patriat said in a statement on Monday he had rallied enough of his fellow senators to form a group affiliated with Macron's Republic On The Move party in the Senate, whose support is key to amend the constitution.