Macron set to win French election run-off on May 7


Centrist Emmanuel Macron has gone through to the second round of the French election, where he will face far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

Mr. Macron, a former banker, is seen as a political outsider, having never run an election campaign before.

After topping Sunday's vote, he is now favourite to win the run-off on 7 May.

It is the first time in six decades that neither of France's main left-wing or right-wing parties has had a candidate in the second round.

With 97% of votes counted, Mr Macron stands on 23.9% with Ms. Le Pen on 21.4%.

Their nearest challengers, centre-right François Fillon and hard-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon, fell behind, with just over 19% each.

In a victory speech to supporters, Mr. Macron borrowed language favoured by his rival to describe himself as the patriotic choice for France.

"I hope that in a fortnight I will become your president. I want to become the president of all the people of France - the president of the patriots in the face of the threat from the nationalists," he said.



SOURCE: BBC News