BEIJING, Apr. 23 -- In France, preliminary results shows Conservative Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Segolene Royal advancing to a runoff for the French presidency. This gives French voters a clear choice between someone for the right or a woman with a leftist economic program.

    Sunday's preliminary results based on a count of 18.5 million votes, or nearly 50 percent, had Sarkozy leading with 30 percent, followed by Royal with 24 percent.

    Polling agencies have eliminated the 10 other first-round candidates.

    After exit polls had been announced Conservative UMP candidate Sarkozy told supporters that this round, which saw a voter turnout rate of around 80 percent, was a boon to the country.

    Sarkozy said, "The French have expressed their desire not to let anyone else make their decisions for them. In putting me in first place of this first round, and in placing Madame Royal in second place they have clearly indicated that they want to follow the debate on two ideas of the nation, two programs for society, two value systems, and two concepts of politics, right through to its conclusion."

    Socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal said that it was not a personal victory for her but a major responsibility.

    Royal said, "In 15 days, France will choose its destiny and a new face to represent it. We will have a clear choice between two very different paths."

    Centrist Francois Bayrou is in third place, while far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen is in fourth with around 11 percent, which, if confirmed, would be his worst showing in all but one of his five election campaigns.

    The next round of the presidential voting will take place on the 6th of May.    

    (Source: China Daily )