Sarkozy, Hollande to Square Off as Le Pen Has Record Vote

Socialist Francois Hollande and President Nicolas Sarkozy progressed to the final round of France’s election, with the incumbent’s hopes of victory resting on winning supporters from Marine Le Pen’s anti-euro National Front.

Hollande took 28.6 percent of the vote against 27.1 percent for Sarkozy, the Interior Ministry said in Paris. The anti-immigrant Le Pen got 18.1 percent, a record for the party that surpassed the predictions of all pollsters. The second round takes place on May 6.