Sarkozy and Royal to face off in France

Paris: The two favourites in the French Presidential race will meet in a run-off, according to early results.

Centre-right Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Segolene Royal emerged as the two top contenders after the first batch of results were declared in France on Sunday evening (2am UAE time).

Sarkozy took 31 per cent of the vote, while Royal received nearly 26 per cent. Centrist Francois Bayrou got 18 per cent of the vote and far-right Jean-Marie Le Pen took almost 11 per cent.

Turnout for the French elections has been very high, with an estimated 85 per cent of the eligible population casting their vote.

Campaigning will begin again on Monday for Sarkozy and Royal.

A second vote will be held on May 6, with the next French President being announced on May 10.

Royal is hoping to become France's first woman president but trailed Sarkozy throughout the campaign.