If there is no clear victor, all candidates who win more than 12.5 percent in the first round qualify for a runoff. Interior Ministry data showed 40.75 per cent of registered voters had cast ballots by mid-afternoon, well below the 48.31 per cent at the same time in the 2012 election.
It had been expected that the conservative Les Republicains (The Republicans) would be mobilized to form the largest bloc in the National Assembly.
The lower turnout was mainly attributed to two major reasons - too intensive election arrangements, and the public's doubt over the French-style democracy and its effectiveness.
The spread, the premium investors are willing to pay for German bonds, indicates investor perceptions of France-specific political risk.
Government spokesman Christophe Castaner admitted that voter participation - the lowest for six decades - was "a failure of this election" and that Macron's camp would need to reach out to those who stayed away.
Socialist Party leader Jean Christophe Cambadelis said the record-low turnout was a "sign of vast democratic fatigue".
Cambadelis called on voters to favor more political pluralism in the second round.
French President Emmanuel Macron will win a crushing majority in Parliament in a week's time, according to projections from his En Marche party's first-round victory last night.
France's youngest-ever president at 39, Macron has gained praise for appointing a balanced cabinet that straddles the left-right divide and taking a leading role in Europe's fight-back against US President Donald Trump on climate change.
Philippe said voters sent a "message without ambiguity" in the first round elections Sunday that they want a parliament with a "new face".
Search for seven sailors after U.S. destroyer damaged in container ship collision
The Navy's 7th Fleet reported the developments in an update on the stricken ship that was nearing the port of Yokosuka in Japan . Investigators now face trying to determine how a sophisticated USA warship collided with a container ship four times its size.
The prime minister also thanked security services for protecting voting stations and ensuring a safe vote after a string of deadly extremist attacks.
The Republicans would become the largest opposition force with 80-100 seats, Elabe projected. Le Pen complained that the legislative voting system didn't fully represent voters' wishes - because her party got around 14 percent of votes but wasn't able to greatly improve on the two legislators it had in the last legislature.
Reformist Mr Macron has pledged to strengthen European Union ties, stabilise public finances, and loosen strictures on business.
Projections from the first round of French parliamentary elections on Sunday suggested Macron's LREM party was set to secure a big majority to push through pro-business reforms.
The euro gained around 0.16 per cent against the dollar as currency markets reopened after the weekend, although Macron's strong showing in the election had already been reflected in polls before the first round.
Mr Macron needs to win at least 289 of the 577 seats to get a majority.
One of Macron's key economic policies involves loosening France's extensive labour legislation, and a clear parliamentary majority is likely to pave the way for its introduction in the near future.
The far-right National Front party failed to capitalize on Marine Le Pen's record score of 33.9 percent of the presidential second round vote.
French President Emmanuel Macron looks set to take an overwhelming majority in parliament.
The final, second-round vote takes place next Sunday.
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