( CNN ) -- Authorities were tallying results Sunday in France 's parliamentary elections , a key vote that could determine whether the country 's new president can push through his agenda . Voters cast ballots across France to fill 577 parliamentary seats . If President Francois Hollande 's Socialist Party wins a majority , it will be easier for him to garner support for his proposals . Hollande has been critical of the austerity policies central to European bailout deals for troubled economies there . To win the first round of voting , parliamentary candidates must receive a majority of votes cast in their districts as well as enough votes to represent 25 % of all registered voters in their districts . If those requirements are n't met , candidates will head to a runoff vote , scheduled for June 17 . Hollande became France 's first Socialist president since FranÃ§ois Mitterrand left office in 1995 as he swept to election victory over the incumbent Sarkozy , one of the most America-friendly French presidents in decades . Hollande has unsettled investors with his criticism of the austerity policies central to European bailout deals for troubled economies such as Greece 's and Ireland's.. The president , who was sworn into office in May , has chosen mostly moderates for his Cabinet , indicating an effort to build a broad coalition in the country . Last month , Hollande said he wants to balance the need to reduce the debts of European governments with efforts to stimulate growth . CNN 's Claudia Dominguez and Ben Brumfield contributed to this report .
It could head to a runoff vote in 17 . If the Socialist Party wins a majority , it could help new president Chávez 's agenda . He has chosen mostly moderates for his Cabinet .