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France polls: Macron's party set for parliamentary majority France polls: Macron's party wins clear parliamentary majority
(about 1 hour later)
French President Emmanuel Macron's party is on track for a parliamentary majority, exit polls suggest, weeks after his presidential victory. French President Emmanuel Macron's party has won a clear parliamentary majority, results show, weeks after his own presidential victory.
Polls have his La République en Marche, alongside its MoDem allies, winning at least 355 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly. With nearly all votes counted, his La République en Marche, alongside its MoDem allies, won more than 300 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly.
The winning margin is lower than some expected with turnout down from 2012. The winning margin is lower than some expected, with turnout down from 2012.
The party was formed just over a year ago, and half of its candidates have little or no political experience.The party was formed just over a year ago, and half of its candidates have little or no political experience.
The result, if confirmed, sweeps all of the mainstream parties aside, and gives the 39-year-old president a strong mandate in parliament to pursue his pro-EU, business-friendly reform plans. The result has swept aside all of the mainstream parties and gives the 39-year-old president a strong mandate in parliament to pursue his pro-EU, business-friendly reform plans.
The second round of the parliamentary election was marked by low voter turnout, with an estimated record low of about 42%, down sharply on five years ago. The second round of the parliamentary election was marked by weak voter turnout, estimated to be a record low of about 42%, down sharply on five years ago.
Correspondents say opponents of Mr Macron may simply have not bothered to turn out for the vote. Correspondents say opponents of Mr Macron may simply have not bothered to turn out.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe acknowledged the low turnout, promising his party would act for France as a whole.Prime Minister Edouard Philippe acknowledged the low turnout, promising his party would act for France as a whole.
What do the exit polls indicate? What do the results show?
Two polls projected La République en Marche (Republic on the Move or LREM) and MoDem combined winning 355-365 seats, which is more than the 289 seat threshold required to control the National Assembly. The comfortable majority of La République en Marche (Republic on the Move or LREM) and MoDem - surpassing the 289-seat threshold required to control the National Assembly - will be a big blow to traditional parties on both the left and right.
It will be seen as a big blow to traditional parties on both the left and right.
The conservative Republicans and their allies could form a large opposition block, with 125-131 seats. But this figure is down from 200 seats in the last parliament.The conservative Republicans and their allies could form a large opposition block, with 125-131 seats. But this figure is down from 200 seats in the last parliament.
The Socialists, who were in power for the past five years, alongside their partners, were predicted to get only 41-49 seats - their lowest tally ever. The Socialists, who were in power for the past five years, alongside their partners, looked set to get only 41-49 seats - their lowest tally ever.
Socialist leader Jean-Claude Cambadélis announced his retirement from post, and urged the left "to change everything, its form and its substance, its ideas and its organisation".Socialist leader Jean-Claude Cambadélis announced his retirement from post, and urged the left "to change everything, its form and its substance, its ideas and its organisation".
The far-right National Front (FN) party looks set to get at least six seats, although it was aiming for 15. The far-right National Front (FN) party won eight seats, but it had set its sights on 15.
FN leader Marine Le Pen, 48, has won a seat in parliament for the first time, representing Henin-Beaumont, a depressed former mining town in the north. But two of her top aides, including her deputy leader, were eliminated.FN leader Marine Le Pen, 48, has won a seat in parliament for the first time, representing Henin-Beaumont, a depressed former mining town in the north. But two of her top aides, including her deputy leader, were eliminated.
Ms Le Pen said President Macron may have got a large parliamentary majority, but "he must know that his ideas are not of the majority in the country and that the French will not support a project that weakens our nation".Ms Le Pen said President Macron may have got a large parliamentary majority, but "he must know that his ideas are not of the majority in the country and that the French will not support a project that weakens our nation".
Where does France go from here? - by Hugh Schofield, BBC Paris correspondent Where does France go from here? - Hugh Schofield, BBC Paris correspondent
It has all happened so quickly that the country feels slightly dazed.It has all happened so quickly that the country feels slightly dazed.
People are looking at their new leader, and many more than voted for him are honestly impressed by his calibre. But many are also wondering: where do we go from here?People are looking at their new leader, and many more than voted for him are honestly impressed by his calibre. But many are also wondering: where do we go from here?
There is an unknown aspect to the coming mandate that sets it apart from all that went before.There is an unknown aspect to the coming mandate that sets it apart from all that went before.
President Macron's party didn't exist until he dreamed it up, and half of the new parliamentarians will need lessons (literally) in how to do their jobs.President Macron's party didn't exist until he dreamed it up, and half of the new parliamentarians will need lessons (literally) in how to do their jobs.
And never before - at least not since Charles de Gaulle in 1958 - has a head of state had such a powerful majority, made up of men and women who depend on him so personally for their new careers.And never before - at least not since Charles de Gaulle in 1958 - has a head of state had such a powerful majority, made up of men and women who depend on him so personally for their new careers.
Macron's conquest is complete - what now?Macron's conquest is complete - what now?
What happened in some of the key races?What happened in some of the key races?
Based on provisional results:Based on provisional results:
What are President Macron's reforms?What are President Macron's reforms?
The new French president needed a majority to push through the changes that he promised in his campaign, which include:The new French president needed a majority to push through the changes that he promised in his campaign, which include:
The interim LREM leader, Catherine Barbaroux, said the party could now start work towards changing France:The interim LREM leader, Catherine Barbaroux, said the party could now start work towards changing France:
"Far from postures, our members of parliament, through their multiple experiences, will vote for laws to unlock our economy, free up our energies, create new solidarities and protect the French," she said."Far from postures, our members of parliament, through their multiple experiences, will vote for laws to unlock our economy, free up our energies, create new solidarities and protect the French," she said.
The LREM win is big enough to give the new president a good chance of weathering the inexperience and diversity of his new political army, and to push forward with bold and controversial labour reforms, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris.
Macron's economic plansMacron's economic plans
Who are the LREM candidates?Who are the LREM candidates?
At least half of LREM candidates are unknown, drawn from a range of backgrounds. They include a retired bullfighter, a Rwandan refugee and a mathematician.At least half of LREM candidates are unknown, drawn from a range of backgrounds. They include a retired bullfighter, a Rwandan refugee and a mathematician.
Mr Macron sought gender equality in candidate selection, which resulted in a 50:50 male to female ratio.Mr Macron sought gender equality in candidate selection, which resulted in a 50:50 male to female ratio.