Austerity issue key as French go to polls

The voting for the lower house of parliament will determine whether new president Francois Hollande can push his tax-the-rich, down-with-austerity agenda.

Yesterday’s elections, followed by run-offs a week later, will also show how much of a voice the far right will have in policies on immigration and Muslim practices.

The legislative race has not garnered nearly the headlines or drama of the presidential race in April and May, and many polls suggest turnout among France’s 46 million voters could be around 40 per cent – far lower than in Mr Hollande’s showdown with Mr Sarkozy. picture: Thibault Camus/AP.