Both candidates qualified for the second round on May 6, with Mr Hollande taking 28 to 29 per cent of the vote and Mr Sarkozy 25 to 26, according to unofficial estimates from multiple sources.
The two finalists will face off in round two on May 6, when Mr Hollande is expected to easily romp home.
Opinion polls and campaigning will restart on Monday in the build-up to the May 6 run-off, which Mr Hollande is expected to win by around 55 per cent to 45
What are the implications for the markets of a Socialist party being elected in the next few weeks as far as the Eurozone economy is concerned?
Are we going into the Summer facing market turmoil?
