Polls are open in France where voting for the lower house of parliament begins that will determine whether new President Francois Hollande can push his tax-the-rich, down-with-austerity agenda.

Today'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 % - far less than in Hollande's showdown with Nicolas Sarkozy.

The new lower house serves for the next five years - coinciding with Hollande's five-year term.