Hollande in sight of Assembly majority

Features reported that François Hollande was in sight of an all-important parliamentary majority in France following the first round of National Assembly elections on the 10 June 2012, vital to entrenching the authority of France’s new Socialist president a month after he was elected.

If confirmed in the decisive second round on the 17 June 2012, Mr Hollande would be able to start implementing his growth plans, rejecting at least part of the austerity drive installed by his predecessor.

Separately, France's far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon conceded defeat to the far-right National Front's Marine Le Pen following the first round of parliamentary elections, saying he would not compete in the June 17 second round.

ESO: Background information: French legislative election, 2012 http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-legislative-election-2012/

France24, 11.6.12: French left closes in on parliamentary majority http://www.france24.com/en/france/2min/20120610-france-left-socialist-party-parliamentary-election-majority-first-round-vote-poll

BBC News, 11.6.12: French election: Socialists and allies win first round http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18388273

France24, 11.6.12: Far-left leader concedes defeat in battle with Le Pen http://www.france24.com/en/20120610-far-left-concedes-defeat-right-marine-le-pen-national-front-france-parliamentary-vote-legislative-elections

Deutsche Welle, 11.6.12: French president set to consolidate power http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16006629,00.html

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