French election: Macron, Le Pen through to second round

Pro-European Emmanuel Macron is set to face far-right candidate Marine Le Pen in France's presidential run-off, making him clear favourite to emerge as the country's youngest leader in modern history.

French presidential election candidate for the 'En Marche!' (Onwards!) political movement, Emmanuel Macron in Paris 23 April 2017. Source: EPA/YOAN VALAT

Macron was projected to win 23.9 percent in Sunday's first round, slightly ahead of National Front (FN) leader Le Pen with 21.7 percent, according to estimates on public television.

They will contest the run-off on May 7.

"I want to be the president of the patriots against the threat of nationalists," 39-year-old Macron told thousands of cheering supporters in Paris.

The euro rose sharply against the dollar and yen as the results emerged.

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