According to exit polls, leftist candidates led the first round of France's parliamentary elections held Sunday.

The Socialists led by President Francois Hollande and other leftists are expected to win a majority.

French media cited predictions by polling agencies including TNS-Sofres and report that leftist parties are expected to win between 298 and 348 seats out of the total 577 to secure a majority in the next parliament.

According to projections, the Socialists could even win 275 to 315 seats for a majority on its own.

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy's conservative UMP party is expected to win between 230 and 270 seats while the far-right National Front party is expected to gain three seats at the most.