Newly elected French president Emmanuel Macron's centrist party won a clear lead over the country's traditional right-wing and leftist parties in parliamentary elections on Sunday.
Having begun the campaign as underdog, but by then already front-runner for the presidency, he was repeatedly asked on morning radio shows how he could possibly govern without a party and a parliament majority.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen won a seat in the National Assembly for the first time. The party will have far more than the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority to carry out Macron's program.
France's youngest leader since Napoleon, Macron emerged from relative obscurity to score a thumping win in the presidential election in May.
Ms Le Pen said she would "fight with all necessary means the harmful projects of the government", especially what she called Mr Macron's pro-European, pro-migrant policies. That was less than some had expected after its crushing victory in last week's first-round vote.
Earlier in the day, the Interior Ministry said that the voter turnout stood at 35.33 percent by 5 p.m. local time.
Mastermind behind Tehran attacks killed
Two of the attackers eventually detonated explosive vests themselves, while the others were shot dead by security forces. He concludes by threatening the royal family of Saudi Arabia and promises, "after Iran, it will be your turn".
At midday, turnout appeared to be lagging.
Some voters seemed excited by a victory for Macron's party, while others were frustrated. Macron's party, which didn't exist 14 months ago and offered novice candidates from civilian life, has drawn from left and right to fill its ranks, effectively blurring the traditional left-right political divide. His centrist Republic on the Move! party is expected to win more than 400 seats. His opponent, a former bullfighter representing Macron's party got a public boost this week from visiting Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.
The National Front had two seats in the outgoing parliament and the only lawmaker seeking to renew his mandate, Gilbert Collard running in the southern Gard region, could lose. Jean-Luc Mélenchon's far-left France Insoumise (France Unbowed) movement, together with the communist party, won some 30 seats.
French voters are casting ballots in the final round of parliamentary elections that could clinch President Emmanuel Macron's hold on power, as his fledgling party overturns politics as usual.
That would allow Macron to move fast with promised legislation, notably on changing labor laws to make hiring and firing easier. However, Le Pen lost a key aid, chief strategist Florian Philippot, who lost his seat to an En March candidate.
Disillusion with the political class is one reason given for what is likely to be a record low participation rate that could outdo the record low in last Sunday's first round, measured at 43 percent five points lower than last week.
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