Sarkozy's majority large - but smaller than expected

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's UMP party has won a large majority in the parliamentary election on Sunday. But poll projections indicate they fell well short of the predicted landslide.

Conservatives are now tipped to win 350 seats in the 557-seat National Assembly – well below the expected number.  
 
The Socialists and their allies did better than predicted with projections giving them around 210 seats in parliament.       
 
Turnout was nearly 60% – much higher than in the first round a week ago.