France votes, with Macron facing tough battle for control of parliament

Projections from voting expected at 1800 GMT; Macron needs 289 seats for absolute majority in parliament * pollsters say he may fall short as smaller parties make gains

Voting was underway in France on Sunday in a parliamentary election that could deprive newly re-elected centrist President Emmanuel Macron of the absolute majority he needs to govern with a free hand.

Initial projections were expected at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) from the election that could change the face of French politics.

Turnout by midday was a bit stronger - at 18.99% - than at the same time during a first round of voting last Sunday and than in 2017, when it reached only 18.43% and 17.75% respectively.

Macron won a second term in presidential elections in April.

If Sunday's vote does not