France voted in the first round of parliamentary elections on Sunday with President Emmanuel Macron hoping to win a majority backing his reform plans while a resurgent and newly unified left seeks to thwart his ambitions.

Elections for the 577 seats in the lower house National Assembly are a two-round process, with the shape of the new parliament becoming clear only after the second round on June 19.

The ballots provide a crucial coda to April's presidential election, when Macron won a second term and pledged a transformative new era after a first mandate dominated by protests, the coronavirus pandemic and Russia's war against Ukraine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macron-scholz-and-draghi-to-travel-to-kyiv-before-g7-summit-487365">Macron, Scholz and Draghi to travel to Kyiv before G7 summit: Report</a>

After a dismal performance in April, the French left has united in a coalition for what its leader Jean-Luc Melenchon dubs "the third round" of the presidential elections.

Opinion polls show the president's centrist alliance, Ensemble (Together), and Melenchon's NUPES coalition of hard left, Socialists, Communists and Greens neck-and-neck in the popular vote&nbsp;although the actual breakdown of parliamentary seats will depend on turnout in the second round.&nbsp;

'Gardening instead'

The abstention rate is predicted to be well over 50 percent in the first round, in what would be a new record for elections already marked by feeble participation in recent years.

At midday (1000 GMT) turnout was 18.43 per cent, according to an interior ministry estimate, down 0.8 points from the last election in 2017.

"I voted tactically in the presidential election, and that didn't change a thing," unemployed 59-year-old Alain Mendez told AFP at an outdoor cafe in Toulouse, southwestern France. "So today I'd rather do my gardening instead, and cook for my grandchildren."

If the president's alliance retains an overall majority, Macron will be able to carry on governing as before.&nbsp;

Falling short could prompt messy bill-by-bill deals with right-wing parties in parliament, or an unwanted cabinet reshuffle.

Watch |&nbsp;France's parliamentary elections: Polls suggest neck-to-neck fight

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A win by the left-wing alliance seen as unlikely by analysts&nbsp;would spell political disaster for the president by raising the spectre of a clunky "cohabitation" where the prime minister and president hail from different factions.

Such a set-up has paralysed French politics in the past, most recently from 1997 to 2002 when right-wing president Jacques Chirac ruled in tandem with Socialist Lionel Jospin as premier.

Melenchon, a former Marxist, has already made clear his ambition to become prime minister and stymie Macron's plan to raise the French retirement age, a key part of his reform plans.

'Can't get anything done'

Polls have indicated that Macron's alliance is expected to win the largest number of seats but is by no means assured of getting over the line of 289 for an absolute majority.

"Some people say that parliamentary elections aren't important but that's not true," Arnaud, a 40-year old engineer, told AFPTV as cast his vote in central Paris. "If the president doesn't win a majority he can't get anything done."

While Macron and his European Union allies breathed a heavy sigh of relief after his solid, if unspectacular, presidential victory against far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the last weeks have brought no sense of a honeymoon.

Energy and food prices are soaring in France as elsewhere in Europe, the treatment of English fans at the Champions League final in Paris damaged France's image abroad and Macron has been accused by Ukraine of being too accommodating to Russia.

His new Disabilities Minister Damien Abad has faced two rape accusations which he has vehemently denied while new Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has yet to make an impact.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-why-does-france-need-another-election-can-it-dethrone-macron-486318">Explainer: Why does France need another election? Can it dethrone Macron?</a>

Macron has made clear that ministers who are standing in the election&nbsp;including Borne, who is making her first attempt at winning a seat will have to step down if they lose.

Macron's party and his allies currently hold an absolute majority of 345 seats in the 577-seat assembly.

Under France's system, a candidate needs over half the vote on the day as well as the backing of at least 25 per cent of registered voters in a constituency to be elected outright in the first round.

Otherwise the top two candidates in a constituency, as well as any other candidate who won the backing of at least 12.5 per cent of registered voters, go forward to the second round, where the candidate with the most votes wins.

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France voted in the first round of parliamentary elections on Sunday with President Emmanuel Macron hoping to win a majority backing his reform plans while a resurgent and newly unified left seeks to thwart his ambitions.

France voted in the first round of parliamentary elections on Sunday with President Emmanuel Macron hoping to win a majority backing his reform plans while a resurgent and newly unified left seeks to thwart his ambitions. Elections for the 577 seats in the lower house National Assembly are a two-round process, with the shape of the new parliament becoming clear only after the second round on June 19. The ballots provide a crucial coda to April's presidential election, when Macron won a second term and pledged a transformative new era after a first mandate dominated by protests, the coronavirus pandemic and Russia's war against Ukraine. Also read | Macron, Scholz and Draghi to travel to Kyiv before G7 summit: Report After a dismal performance in April, the French left has united in a coalition for what its leader Jean-Luc Melenchon dubs "the third round" of the presidential elections. Opinion polls show the president's centrist alliance, Ensemble (Together), and Melenchon's NUPES coalition of hard left, Socialists, Communists and Greens neck-and-neck in the popular vote although the actual breakdown of parliamentary seats will depend on turnout in the second round. 'Gardening instead' The abstention rate is predicted to be well over 50 percent in the first round, in what would be a new record for elections already marked by feeble participation in recent years. At midday (1000 GMT) turnout was 18.43 per cent, according to an interior ministry estimate, down 0.8 points from the last election in 2017. "I voted tactically in the presidential election, and that didn't change a thing," unemployed 59-year-old Alain Mendez told AFP at an outdoor cafe in Toulouse, southwestern France. "So today I'd rather do my gardening instead, and cook for my grandchildren." If the president's alliance retains an overall majority, Macron will be able to carry on governing as before. Falling short could prompt messy bill-by-bill deals with right-wing parties in parliament, or an unwanted cabinet reshuffle. Watch | France's parliamentary elections: Polls suggest neck-to-neck fight A win by the left-wing alliance seen as unlikely by analysts would spell political disaster for the president by raising the spectre of a clunky "cohabitation" where the prime minister and president hail from different factions. Such a set-up has paralysed French politics in the past, most recently from 1997 to 2002 when right-wing president Jacques Chirac ruled in tandem with Socialist Lionel Jospin as premier. Melenchon, a former Marxist, has already made clear his ambition to become prime minister and stymie Macron's plan to raise the French retirement age, a key part of his reform plans. 'Can't get anything done' Polls have indicated that Macron's alliance is expected to win the largest number of seats but is by no means assured of getting over the line of 289 for an absolute majority. "Some people say that parliamentary elections aren't important but that's not true," Arnaud, a 40-year old engineer, told AFPTV as cast his vote in central Paris. "If the president doesn't win a majority he can't get anything done." While Macron and his European Union allies breathed a heavy sigh of relief after his solid, if unspectacular, presidential victory against far-right leader Marine Le Pen, the last weeks have brought no sense of a honeymoon. Energy and food prices are soaring in France as elsewhere in Europe, the treatment of English fans at the Champions League final in Paris damaged France's image abroad and Macron has been accused by Ukraine of being too accommodating to Russia. His new Disabilities Minister Damien Abad has faced two rape accusations which he has vehemently denied while new Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has yet to make an impact. Also read | Explainer: Why does France need another election? Can it dethrone Macron? Macron has made clear that ministers who are standing in the election including Borne, who is making her first attempt at winning a seat will have to step down if they lose. Macron's party and his allies currently hold an absolute majority of 345 seats in the 577-seat assembly. Under France's system, a candidate needs over half the vote on the day as well as the backing of at least 25 per cent of registered voters in a constituency to be elected outright in the first round. Otherwise the top two candidates in a constituency, as well as any other candidate who won the backing of at least 12.5 per cent of registered voters, go forward to the second round, where the candidate with the most votes wins. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Macron seeks majority in parliament vote as left mounts challenge

British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/brexit-row-boris-johnson-defeated-by-uk-supreme-court-but-he-could-still-emerge-as-a-winner-251957">Boris Johnson</a> on Thursday lost yet another vote in parliament over a government request for a three-day recess to allow his Conservative party to hold its annual conference.

The government lost the vote, which could affect the timing of the conference in Manchester, by 306 votes to 289.

The vote could force the party to shorten its party conference, which is scheduled to last from Sunday to Wednesday or even cancel it altogether.

There is no obligation for MPs to be in recess during the party conferences but it is customary.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled "unlawful, void and of no effect" Johnson's decision to suspend parliament earlier this month in the run-up to Brexit.

Following the judgement, MPs reconvened on Wednesday for an ill-tempered debate in which Johnson accused his opponents of trying to reverse the result of the 2016 Brexit referendum.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday lost yet another vote in parliament over a government request for a three-day recess to allow his Conservative party to hold its annual conference.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday lost yet another vote in parliament over a government request for a three-day recess to allow his Conservative party to hold its annual conference. The government lost the vote, which could affect the timing of the conference in Manchester, by 306 votes to 289. The vote could force the party to shorten its party conference, which is scheduled to last from Sunday to Wednesday or even cancel it altogether. There is no obligation for MPs to be in recess during the party conferences but it is customary. The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled "unlawful, void and of no effect" Johnson's decision to suspend parliament earlier this month in the run-up to Brexit. Following the judgement, MPs reconvened on Wednesday for an ill-tempered debate in which Johnson accused his opponents of trying to reverse the result of the 2016 Brexit referendum.

UK PM loses new parliamentary vote, over party conference

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/voting-underway-in-indonesia-what-makes-the-poll-so-complex-211065">Indonesia</a>'s ruling coalition, which backs President Joko Widodo, is on course to win more than half the votes in an election for the national parliament, based on a count of more than 60 per cent of ballots cast on Wednesday, two pollsters said.

Indonesia held simultaneous <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesias-election-what-you-need-to-know-211100">presidential and parliamentary elections</a> on Wednesday.

Widodo, running against former general Prabowo Subianto after a six-month campaign, appears to be on course to win the race to lead the world's third-largest democracy, securing a second term, "quick count" results from private pollsters show.

Prabowo, as he is known in Indonesia, has disputed those findings and said internal polls show he is set for a win.

A quick count of a sample of votes by pollsters Kompas and Indo Barometers show the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), of which Widodo is a member, is likely to win 20.48 per cent of the votes for the national parliament.

PDI-P leads Widodo's 10-party coalition which now controls the lower house, which is the main parliamentary chamber.

However, both pollsters find that Prabowo's Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) is on track to become parliament's second largest party, with 13 per cent of the vote.

"PDI-P will take first, with better results than 2014, as expected, riding on Jokowi's coat tails," said Achmad Sukarsono, an Indonesia analyst at Control Risks, using the president's nickname.

"Gerindra will also enjoy a coat tail effect and is very likely to replace Golkar as the second party, which has suffered from corruption scandals."

Kompas and Indo Barometer are two of more than 40 pollsters accredited by the General Elections Commission to conduct unofficial quick counts.

In previous elections, the counts from reputable companies proved to be accurate.

Islamic parties also appeared to have done well. The moderate National Awakening Party (PKB), which is part of the Jokowi coalition, is on track to get 9 per cent of the vote. The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), which is aligned with Prabowo, also had about 9 per cent of the vote, according to the quick counts.

The smaller National Mandate party, which is part of Prabowo's coalition, had less than 7 per cent of the vote.

The poll followed a campaign dominated by economic issues but also marked by the growing influence of conservative Islam in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.

Official results will be announced by the election commission on May 22.

There are 575 seats in the lower house of the national parliament up for grabs and 136 in the upper house.

Indonesia's ruling coalition, which backs President Joko Widodo, is on course to win more than half the votes in an election for the national parliament, based on a count of more than 60 per cent of ballots cast on Wednesday, two pollsters said.

Indonesia's ruling coalition, which backs President Joko Widodo, is on course to win more than half the votes in an election for the national parliament, based on a count of more than 60 per cent of ballots cast on Wednesday, two pollsters said. Indonesia held simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections on Wednesday. Widodo, running against former general Prabowo Subianto after a six-month campaign, appears to be on course to win the race to lead the world's third-largest democracy, securing a second term, "quick count" results from private pollsters show. Prabowo, as he is known in Indonesia, has disputed those findings and said internal polls show he is set for a win. A quick count of a sample of votes by pollsters Kompas and Indo Barometers show the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), of which Widodo is a member, is likely to win 20.48 per cent of the votes for the national parliament. PDI-P leads Widodo's 10-party coalition which now controls the lower house, which is the main parliamentary chamber. However, both pollsters find that Prabowo's Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) is on track to become parliament's second largest party, with 13 per cent of the vote. "PDI-P will take first, with better results than 2014, as expected, riding on Jokowi's coat tails," said Achmad Sukarsono, an Indonesia analyst at Control Risks, using the president's nickname. "Gerindra will also enjoy a coat tail effect and is very likely to replace Golkar as the second party, which has suffered from corruption scandals." Kompas and Indo Barometer are two of more than 40 pollsters accredited by the General Elections Commission to conduct unofficial quick counts. In previous elections, the counts from reputable companies proved to be accurate. Islamic parties also appeared to have done well. The moderate National Awakening Party (PKB), which is part of the Jokowi coalition, is on track to get 9 per cent of the vote. The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), which is aligned with Prabowo, also had about 9 per cent of the vote, according to the quick counts. The smaller National Mandate party, which is part of Prabowo's coalition, had less than 7 per cent of the vote. The poll followed a campaign dominated by economic issues but also marked by the growing influence of conservative Islam in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation. Official results will be announced by the election commission on May 22. There are 575 seats in the lower house of the national parliament up for grabs and 136 in the upper house.

President Joko Widodo's ruling coalition on course to victory in Indonesia

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