French citizens will for the first time this year be able to vote in a parliamentary election over the Internet, an experiment that could be extended to other elections if successful.

French citizens will for the first time this year be able to vote in a parliamentary election over the Internet, an experiment that could be extended to other elections if successful.

Edouard Courtial, the junior minister for French living abroad, told on Friday that French expatriates would be able to choose their 11 MPs by Internet during June's two-round parliamentary vote.

The estimated one million French citizens living abroad were previously only allowed to vote in but this year they will have 11 deputies representing their interests in , also a first.

"Internet voting allows us to overcome the obstacle of distance and to take part in an easy and secure way from one's home," said Courtial.