He was elected to the National Assembly in the November 1962 parliamentary election from the Third Constituency of Vosges[2] and was re-elected from the same constituency in the March 1967 parliamentary election[3] and the June 1968 parliamentary election. He served as a deputy until August 1972, when he vacated his seat following his nomination as a member of the government.[4] He was first elected to the Senate in September 1977, and he was re-elected in September 1986, September 1995, and September 2004, representing Vosges.[1]
On 2 October 1998, Poncelet was elected by the Senate as its President in a third round of voting. The previous President of the Senate, René Monory, had withdrawn after the first round of voting. In the third round, Poncelet received 189 votes against 93 for Socialist candidate Claude Estier and one vote for the withdrawn Communist candidate Hélène Luc.[5]
Following the September 2008 Senate election, it was announced on 24 September that Poncelet would not seek another term as President of the Senate, although he would continue to serve as a Senator.[6] He was succeeded by Gérard Larcher, also from the UMP, on 1 October.[7]
Secretary of State for Employment and Population : 1973–1974
Secretary of State for Public Service : March–May 1974
Secretary of State for Budget : May 1974 – 1977
Secretary of State for Parliamentary Relations : April–September 1977 (Became senator in 1977)
Electoral mandates
European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament : 1979–1980 (resignation). Elected in 1979.
National Assembly
Member of the National Assembly of France for Vosges : 1962–1972 (Became Secretary of State in 1972). Elected in 1962, re-elected in 1967, 1968, 1973, but he stayed Secretary of State.
Senate
President of the Senate of France : 1998–2008. Elected in 1998, re-elected in 2001, 2004.
Président of the Finance Commission of the Senate : 1986–1998.
Senator of Vosges : 1977-2014. Elected in 1977, re-elected in 1986, 1995, 2004.
