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Sarkozy party 'set for landslide' Sarkozy party 'set for landslide'
(30 minutes later)
Projections after the first round of France's parliamentary elections suggest President Nicolas Sarkozy's party is heading for a landslide.Projections after the first round of France's parliamentary elections suggest President Nicolas Sarkozy's party is heading for a landslide.
Polling firms predicted that Mr Sarkozy's centre-right UMP party would increase its majority in the lower house, the national assembly.Polling firms predicted that Mr Sarkozy's centre-right UMP party would increase its majority in the lower house, the national assembly.
Analysts say a big majority would allow the new president to press ahead with his sweeping economic reforms.Analysts say a big majority would allow the new president to press ahead with his sweeping economic reforms.
The results will not be confirmed until a second round of voting next week.The results will not be confirmed until a second round of voting next week.
Turnout was reported to have been unprecedentedly low, at around 61%.Turnout was reported to have been unprecedentedly low, at around 61%.
That contrasted with a turnout of 84% at the presidential election a month ago.
"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."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, appeared set to lose seats. Socialists flounder
Party leader Francois Hollande has said he will resign - possibly to be replaced by Ms Royal, his partner who has four children with him. With a second round of voting to follow next week, the size of the UMP's likely majority was still uncertain.
France's overseas territories, as well as expatriates living in the Americas, voted on Saturday. Many voters will return to the polls for 17 June's second round
Polling companies said the party could win anything between 383 and 501 of parliament's 577 seats, compared to its 359 at present.
The Socialists, whose presidential candidate Segolene Royal lost to Mr Sarkozy, appeared set for another big disappointment.
It was predicted they could lose some of their 149 seats - and possibly as many as half of them.
Party leader Francois Hollande has said he may resign - possibly to be replaced by Ms Royal, his partner who has four children with him.
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.
Many voters will return to the polls for 17 June's second roundFrance 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. Most will go to a second round, held between all those who scored 12.5% or more of the registered vote in round one.
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. France 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.
France's "blue wave" means the president will get exactly what he wants - strong backing with which to implement his ambitious programme of economic reforms, our correspondent adds.
The parties of the left - including the communists, who look set for their worst result in memory - have called for a big turnout next week, warning voters not to give absolute power to Nicolas Sarkozy.
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%.