France’s new president is set to enjoy a strong start to power with news that he looks likely to gain a strong parliamentary majority.
After the first round of the National Assembly elections, Francois Hollande’s Socialist Party and its allies look set to secure the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority.
This will allow Mr Hollande greater freedom to govern and push through policies without worrying that opponents will strategically block bills or ask for amendments to be made.
It will also provide the president with more authority and confidence to push for the debate about Europe’s future, to shift towards promoting growth and moving away from severe austerity measures.
All eyes are now on next Sunday’s round, which will either confirm that France is definitely entering a new age of politics or something that is, despite Mr Hollande’s obvious leanings to the left, altogether more orthodox.
Some of the proposals being put forward by France’s president in his 60-point programme include raising taxes, creating more employment opportunities for young people and boosting industrial investment.