French Election: Macron and Le Pen Through to Presidential Run Off

Voters in France have comprehensively snubbed the country’s political establishment, sending far-right populist Marine Le Pen and political novice Emmanuel Macron through to the second round of the presidential election, early results indicate. French media reported that with 97 percent of polling stations declared, newcomer Macron was leading the field with 23.9 percent. National Front leader Le Pen was close behind on 21.4 percent. Macron is now the clear favourite to triumph in the second, and final, round in two weeks, according to polls. Meanwhile German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel welcomed the success of Macron and said he was sure the centrist would become the next French president.