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France opts for left-right battle France opts for left-right battle
(10 minutes later)
Exit polls from France's closely fought presidential election suggest Nicolas Sarkozy will face Segolene Royal in the second round of voting on 6 May. Centre-right leader Nicolas Sarkozy will meet Socialist Segolene Royal in the run-off of France's presidential election on 6 May, exit polls suggest.
Centre-right Mr Sarkozy won 30%, ahead of Ms Royal of the Socialists on 25.2%. Centrist Francois Bayrou got 18.3% and the far-right Jean-Marie Le Pen 11.5%. Mr Sarkozy, a former interior minister, came first with 30%, ahead of Ms Royal, who is bidding to be France's first woman president, on 25.2%.
Turnout was set to be the highest for nearly 50 years. Centrist Francois Bayrou got 18.3%, and far-right Jean-Marie Le Pen 11.5%.
The final outcome is set to shape how France faces the challenges of the 21st Century, correspondents say. Voting throughout the day reached record numbers, with turnout put at 84% - the highest for nearly 50 years.
On a bright spring day, disillusionment with politicians and their promises did not translate into apathy, reports the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris.On a bright spring day, disillusionment with politicians and their promises did not translate into apathy, reports the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Paris.
I cannot find any candidate that truly represents my views Muriel Calvez, 19 In pictures: France votes Europe Diary: A useful voteI cannot find any candidate that truly represents my views Muriel Calvez, 19 In pictures: France votes Europe Diary: A useful vote
Instead, young and old alike queued at the polling booths at schools and town halls, although in their choices they remained as divided as ever.Instead, young and old alike queued at the polling booths at schools and town halls, although in their choices they remained as divided as ever.
Voters turned out in such high numbers that the authorities decided to allow more time for people who were still queueing.Voters turned out in such high numbers that the authorities decided to allow more time for people who were still queueing.
Of the main candidates, Mr Sarkozy has promised a "rupture" with the past and real economic reform. Of the main candidates, Mr Sarkozy promised a "rupture" with the past and real economic reform.
French voters' viewsIn picturesFrench voters' viewsIn pictures
Ms Royal, hoping to become France's first female president, has pledged a fairer society, while Mr Bayrou has said he would bring together left and right in a government of national unity. Ms Royal has pledged a fairer society.
Of the other two main hopefuls, Mr Bayrou said he would bring together left and right in a government of national unity.
The 78-year-old Mr Le Pen has seen many of his ideas on patriotism and immigration filter into the mainstream campaigns.The 78-year-old Mr Le Pen has seen many of his ideas on patriotism and immigration filter into the mainstream campaigns.
He confidently predicted he will enter the second round run-off again, as he did in the last election in 2002. He confidently predicted he would enter the second round run-off again, as he did in the last election in 2002 .
But the high turnout seems to have gone against him, says the BBC's Alasdair Sandford in Paris.
RESULTS COUNTDOWN 1800 GMT - 22 April: Early exit polls1800 GMT - 25 April: Official results27 April: Campaigning restarts6 May: Second round poll10 May: Final official resultsRESULTS COUNTDOWN 1800 GMT - 22 April: Early exit polls1800 GMT - 25 April: Official results27 April: Campaigning restarts6 May: Second round poll10 May: Final official results
Since 2002, many new voters who have registered are thought to have done so to avoid a repeat of the National Front leader's success last time. Since 2002, many new voters who have registered are thought to have done so to avoid a repeat of the National Front leader's success last time. There were more than one million newly registered voters, the biggest increase in 25 years.
There were more than one million newly registered voters, the biggest increase in 25 years.
Whoever finally wins the presidency, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus, it will mark a change of political generation and perhaps a shift in French international priorities, making this election matter even to those outside France.Whoever finally wins the presidency, says the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus, it will mark a change of political generation and perhaps a shift in French international priorities, making this election matter even to those outside France.