paris president emmanuel macron suffer first electoral setback sunday republic move lrem party few seat expect elections french senate stake whether macron lrem ally would win enough seat give three-fifths majority vote house parliament need constitutional reform include plan overhaul parliament vote 171 senate 348 seat grab consolidate senate exist conservative majority socialist party crush last june legislative elections well vote provisional result provide french senate show result could complicate macron plan constitutional reform come popularity decline four months election may approval rat drop considerably opinion poll drag labor reform plan budget cut include decrease house aid students lrem hop win 40-50 senators end secure 23 count alliances lawmakers party back government case case basis senate conservative majority compose 150 members republicans party confirm senate counterweight macron even national assembly macron clear majority final say legislation voters clearly show want parliamentary counterweight view vital balance democracy gerard larcher president french senate say public address macron lrem expect win majority partly electoral system elections senate mayors regional councilors general public vote macron plan unpopular many local councilors number local officials unhappy plan cut subsidies local authorities jean leonetti former republicans minister say twitter first setback emmanuel macron immediately clear macron able secure three-fifths majority house parliament might require negotiations group include members republicans party macron party would need 180 seat senate reach three-fifths majority house parliament french senate vote blow macron conservatives keep majority