France's prime minister declared victory for President Emmanuel Macron's new centrist party in the first round of parliamentary elections set to reshape French politics.
Saying "France is back," Prime Minister Edouard Philippe pledged to move ahead quickly with bold reforms to French worker protections and security policy.
Philippe said voters sent a "message without ambiguity" in the first round elections Sunday that they want a parliament with a "new face." Macron's Republic on the Move party is projected to win a strong majority in the second round June 18.
The prime minister also thanked security services for protecting voting stations and ensuring a safe vote after a string of deadly extremist attacks.
