by Azeez Adeniyi

Centrist candidate, Emmanuel Macron will face far-right leader Marine Le Pen in a run-off for the French presidency on May 7.

Out of 96% votes counted from the first round on Sunday, Macron gathered 23.9% votes while Le Pen has 21.4%.

The two fought off a strong challenge from centre-right François Fillon and hard-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

[Read Also: FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: MACRON, LE PEN IN EARLY LEAD]

Le Pen has described herself as “the candidate for the people”, saying that the “survival of France” was at stake.

“The first step… has been taken,” she said.

“This result is historic.”

Defeated François Fillon has said he has no other choice than to vote for Macron.

He polled about 20%, slightly ahead of Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Benoit Hamon who got 6% of the votes also said, “I encourage everyone to fight as hard as they can to fight the extreme right, and to fight for Macron”.