Sarkozy's UMP Party Set to Sweep General Election in France

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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.

A second round of voting will be held in a week's time.