BBC News with Julie Candler

The latest results from the first round of the French presidential election show that the Socialist Party challenger Francois Hollande will face the

incumbent

, Nicolas Sarkozy, in the second round next month. With 80% of the votes counted, Mr Hollande has 28% of the vote with Mr Sarkozy very close behind on 26.9%. Among those who will not make it to the second round is the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen of the National Front. She currently has 19% of the vote, the highest-ever share of the vote for the party.

Both leading candidates have already addressed their supporters. President Sarkozy challenged Mr Hollande to three face-to-face electoral debates. He said France had a crucial choice to make.

"They carry with them the respect of our borders, a determined fight against delocalisation, handling of immigration, better value given to work, security for them and for their families. I know that in this world which is evolving so fast, the main work of our

compatriots

is to preserve their way of life. This is the central question in this election."

Mr Hollande has agreed to one debate only. He said he was the candidate of all those who wanted to turn a new page.

"This is a new signal. It should trigger a republican awakening and an understanding not only of what makes us angry, but of what is damaging our country,

demeaning

it,

stripping it of