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France holds parliamentary vote France votes in general election
(about 3 hours later)
France's voters are returning to the polls in parliamentary elections, only a month after Nicolas Sarkozy was elected as their new president. The first round of parliamentary elections have closed in France in a vote seen as a referendum on the newly elected president's economic reforms.
His UMP party looks likely to increase its majority in the lower house, the national assembly, enabling him to push through sweeping economic reforms. Nicolas Sarkozy wants to push through sweeping changes, as promised in his presidential campaign.
His UMP party looks likely to increase its majority in the lower house, the national assembly.
Turnout was lower that during May's presidential poll with less than 50% of voters casting their ballot by 1500GMT.
"Many people seem less interested in the parliamentary elections because they think Sarkozy will win a large majority anyway," Mikhael Perez, a 48-year-old voter from Paris told Reuters.
The Socialists, whose presidential candidate Segolene Royal lost to Mr Sarkozy, are expected to lose seats.The Socialists, whose presidential candidate Segolene Royal lost to Mr Sarkozy, are expected to lose seats.
A second round of voting will be held in a week's time.A second round of voting will be held in a week's time.
Voting began at 0800 (0600 GMT) on Sunday, and polls close at 2000 (1800 GMT).
By midday, just under 23% of registered voters had cast their ballots, down from 31% at the presidential elections but up on the last parliamentary election five years ago, officials said.
France's overseas territories, as well as expatriates living in the Americas, voted on Saturday.France's overseas territories, as well as expatriates living in the Americas, voted on Saturday.
Blue waveBlue wave
If candidates do not win more than 50% of the vote, with at least a 25% turnout, the constituency must vote again on 17 June.If candidates do not win more than 50% of the vote, with at least a 25% turnout, the constituency must vote again on 17 June.
Mr Sarkozy looks set to get an increased parliamentary majorityFrance has not returned the same government to power since 1978 - but this time the pattern looks set to change, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says.Mr Sarkozy looks set to get an increased parliamentary majorityFrance has not returned the same government to power since 1978 - but this time the pattern looks set to change, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris says.
The "blue wave" being predicted for France should mean the president will have strong backing with which to implement his ambitious programme of economic reforms, our correspondent adds.The "blue wave" being predicted for France should mean the president will have strong backing with which to implement his ambitious programme of economic reforms, our correspondent adds.
Mr Sarkozy has said he will hold a special session of parliament in July to initiate his first set of political reforms, which include tougher immigration rules and more freedom for universities.Mr Sarkozy has said he will hold a special session of parliament in July to initiate his first set of political reforms, which include tougher immigration rules and more freedom for universities.
A new finance bill will mean that overtime earnings are no longer taxed, inheritance tax is abolished for most people and overall individual taxation is capped at 50%.A new finance bill will mean that overtime earnings are no longer taxed, inheritance tax is abolished for most people and overall individual taxation is capped at 50%.
The Socialists are expected to lose ground, and party leader Francois Hollande says he will resign - possibly to be replaced by Ms Royal, his partner who has four children with him.The Socialists are expected to lose ground, and party leader Francois Hollande says he will resign - possibly to be replaced by Ms Royal, his partner who has four children with him.
Smaller parties on the left and the right are expected to do badly, as the key battleground shifts to the two main parties.Smaller parties on the left and the right are expected to do badly, as the key battleground shifts to the two main parties.