Hollande's former partner loses election bid

In a French election subplot, prominent Socialist Segolene Royal – the mother of Francois Hollande’s four children and the runner-up to Nicolas Sarkozy in the 2007 presidential vote – lost her race in western France and her bid to become Parliament speaker.

Her rival was a breakaway Socialist Olivier Falorni who had drawn the support of Mr Hollande’s current companion, journalist Valerie Trierweiler.

Ms Trierweiler had tweeted her support for Mr Falorni in the build-up to the La Rochelle vote despite the president’s electoral backing for his former partner.

Nationwide, the results also exposed voter fatigue, coming so soon after Mr Hollande’s own victory on May 6.

The turnout of 56% was the lowest recorded in modern France.