Reactions to French legislative election

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy's centre-right allies won a solid majority in Sunday's parliamentary elections but fell short of the landslide that had been expected, according to television poll forecasts.

Below are initial reactions:

FRANCOIS FILLON, PRIME MINISTER

"Your participation has resulted in a clear and coherent choice, which will allow the president of the Republic to implement his project."

JUSTICE MINISTER RACHIDA DATI

"The French have expressed themselves clearly. A clear majority has come out of the ballot box. On our side, we never talked about a 'blue wave'."

"Today there is a clear majority for a clear program. We must come together, open ourselves up to be able to act."

SEGOLENE ROYAL, DEFEATED SOCIALIST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

"Through their vote, the French wanted to give a sense to the Republic, a democratic freedom with a real force of constructive opposition.

"Between the two rounds, people have realized something.

"The opposition today has the task of watching, protecting and also proposing. The French expect us to continue our work of imagination, to respond to the challenges of this century.

"The work that was started must be continued, deepened, enriched, in direct link with the French people."

JACK LANG, ALLY OF DEFEATED SOCIALIST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

SEGOLENE ROYAL

"Even if you can be very happy that we've had this jump this evening -- and I am very pleased -- we can't avoid a profound transformation of the Socialist Party. It is better that there should be a less one-toned Assembly but at the same time, I and others have suffered a lot. For the past few weeks I have said nothing while observing this fratricidal struggle, this settling of accounts between various people at the top of the Socialist Party and politics demands from these leaders a bit of dignity and a bit of nobility."

JEAN-LOUIS BORLOO, ECONOMY MINISTER