Centrist Emmanuel Macron has gone through to the second round of the French election, where he will face far-right leader Marine Le Pen, reports the BBC.
Mr Macron, a former banker, is seen as a political outsider, having never run an election campaign before.
After topping Sunday's vote, he is now favourite to win the run-off on 7 May.
It is the first time in six decades that neither of France's main left-wing or right-wing parties has had a candidate in the second round.
With 97% of votes counted, Mr Macron stands on 23.9% with Ms Le Pen on 21.4%.
Their nearest challengers, centre-right François Fillon and hard-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon, fell behind, with just over 19% each.
In a victory speech to supporters, Mr Macron borrowed language favoured by his rival to describe himself as the patriotic choice for France.
"I hope that in a fortnight I will become your president. I want to become the president of all the people of France - the president of the patriots in the face of the threat from the nationalists," he said.
Ms Le Pen also made an "appeal to all patriots", saying a vote for her was the key to the "survival of France".
"Wherever they come from, whatever their origin, whatever they voted for in the first round, I invite them all to join us and to abandon ancient quarrels and to concentrate on what is essential for our country," she said.