Centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen led the first round of France's presidential election, qualifying for a second-round runoff in two weeks, final voting figures French Interior Ministry showed on Monday. This was reported by Reuters.
The figures put Macron on 23.75% of votes and Le Pen on 21.53%, followed by conservative Francois Fillon at 19.91% and far-leftist Jean-Luc Melenchon on 19.64%, the ministry said in a statement.
“France’s and EU flags raised in honor of Emmanuel Macron - the hope and future of our generation” wrote the head of European diplomacy Federica Mogherini in her Twitter blog.
Earlier it was reported that Belgian francophone television channel RTBF released the survey data regarding the first round of the presidential elections in France. According to the French poll at the exit polling stations, former French finance minister Emmanuel Macron and leader of the far-right party National Front Marin Le Pen are leaders of the first round.
24% of survey participants voted for Macron, and 22% - for Le Pen.
In favor of the candidate from the Republicans party Francois Fillon voted 20.5% of respondents, for the leader of the Left Party Jean-Luc Melancheon - 18%.
