The UMP party led by President Nicolas Sarkozy, won 314 seats in the 577-member lower house of parliament. Sarkozy, who won in presidential elections in early May, will now enjoy a parliamentary majority.
The Socialists won 185 seats and remain in the opposition.
Although the UMP party formed a majority, it now holds fewer seats against the previous 359 mandate. While the Socialists made a breakthrough, collecting 36 more seats than they had in the previous parliament.
Experts say the results were caused by a low voter turnout (59.99%) and unpopular statements made by the Conservative leaders, who pledged to increase VAT to finance social programs.
The centrist Democratic Movement led by Francois Bayrou won three seats.
Environment Minister Alain Juppe caused a major sensation at the elections, saying he would offer his resignation as a minister Monday and consider quitting his post as mayor of Bordeaux after he was defeated in the parliamentary elections.
Before the elections Prime Minister Francois Fillon warned all ministerial candidates they would lose their portfolios if they failed to collect the necessary votes.
Another sensation was caused by Segolene Royal, a Socialist and the former opponent of Sarkozy in the presidential election, who announced she was splitting from her partner Socialist leader Francois Hollande.
Royal and Hollande have been together since 1978. Although they have never officially married they have four children. Royal stated that the couple had split after her former partner started an affair.
