President Nicolas Sarkozy's right-wing party won a clear majority to carry through his reform program in France's legislative election Sunday but failed to get a widely predicted landslide.

The Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) secured 319-329 seats in the 577-member National Assembly, 30-40 seats fewer than the old parliament, according to projections issued after polls closed in the decisive second round.

 

Sarkozy's party had been expected to score a "blue wave" landslide after his stunning presidential election win in May. But amid a low turnout, the Socialist Party made a surprise comeback, increasing from 149 to 202-210 seats, according to the projections.