While the results have no direct bearing on next April's presidential election, the opposition Socialists seized on the occasion to declare the Sarkozy era over.

Trinidad Jiménez, foreign affairs spokeswoman for the opposition Socialists there, called the outcome "terrible news for France and for all of Europe."

The vote and the traditional recess at the end of June were delayed by the introduction of 11,000 amendments, primarily by opposition Socialist and Communist deputies.

The opposition Socialists are now sounding tougher about tax reform than the ruling New Democracy conservatives.

Now voters have elected the opposition Socialists, although the center right was leading in the polls until the terrorist attack.

Students and unions, bolstered by support from the opposition Socialists and even some business leaders, had vowed to continue their street protests until the law was rescinded.

Mr. Aznar's conservative Popular Party and the opposition Socialists both said the results increased their chances in national elections due by next year.

France's immigration debate heated up Friday with opposition Socialists demanding to know how many undocumented immigrants the government plans to deport before the start of the new school year.

The disclosure immediately stirred demands from the opposition Socialists that Mr. Chirac confront the accusation.

Many of the opposition Socialists, who originally wanted the ban limited only to public buildings, abstained from voting after coming under pressure from feminist supporters of the bill.