This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-40242531
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| France election: Macron party set for big parliamentary win | France election: Macron party set for big parliamentary win |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The centrist party of French President Emmanuel Macron looks on course to win a landslide victory following the first round of parliamentary elections. | The centrist party of French President Emmanuel Macron looks on course to win a landslide victory following the first round of parliamentary elections. |
| As polls closed, projections showed La Republique en Marche (Republic on the Move) set to win more than 400 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly. | As polls closed, projections showed La Republique en Marche (Republic on the Move) set to win more than 400 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly. |
| Mr Macron's party was established just over a year ago and many candidates have little or no political experience. | Mr Macron's party was established just over a year ago and many candidates have little or no political experience. |
| The second round of the vote is held next Sunday. | The second round of the vote is held next Sunday. |
| Forecasts by two polling organisations gave LREM well over 30% of first round votes. | Forecasts by two polling organisations gave LREM well over 30% of first round votes. |
| But turnout was low, around 49%, which analysts said reflected a sense of resignation among Mr Macron's opponents. | |
| The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says everything suggests Mr Macron has won another crushing victory with the only significant opposition coming from the centre-right Republicans. | |
| The Socialists, who were most recently in power, are facing a historic wipe-out and the far-right National Front (FN) has also underperformed, he says. | |
| Pollsters forecast the Republicans would win 20.9%; the FN 13.1%; and the Socialists with a grouping of left-wing parties 9%. | |
| Mr Macron, 39, needs a majority to push through the changes that he promised in his campaign. | Mr Macron, 39, needs a majority to push through the changes that he promised in his campaign. |
| He has already left an impression around the world, in particular for standing up to US leader Donald Trump on issues like climate change. | |
| After the projections were announced, a government spokesman said voters had shown they wanted to move fast on major reforms. | After the projections were announced, a government spokesman said voters had shown they wanted to move fast on major reforms. |
| FN deputy chairman Florian Philippot said the party was "disappointed" by the projections, adding: "We have paid the price, I think, for a low turnout." | |
| The two established parties - the Republicans and the Socialists - both failed to reach the presidential run-off last month for the first time in France's post-war history. | The two established parties - the Republicans and the Socialists - both failed to reach the presidential run-off last month for the first time in France's post-war history. |
| The Socialists risk losing not only their current majority but also most of their seats. | The Socialists risk losing not only their current majority but also most of their seats. |
| Those standing for LREM come from all walks of life and include students, retired citizens and a bullfighter. | Those standing for LREM come from all walks of life and include students, retired citizens and a bullfighter. |
| Few MPs are expected to be elected in the first round of voting. | |
| Only candidates who win more than 50% of the vote will take their seats, otherwise all candidates who secure at least 12.5% of registered voters will go into the second round to determine the winner. | |
| The election took place amid heightened security after a series of devastating terror attacks in recent years. |