Sarkozy beaten, Le Pen surges in poll

FIRST RESULTS FROM MAJOR POLLING AREAS
HOLLANDE, LE PEN BIG WINNERS,

SARKOZY BADLY BEATEN
The results based on 5.5% of the electorate:
Sarkozy: 25.5%
Hollande: 28.4%
M. LePen: 20.0%
Mélenchon: 11.7%
Bayrou: 8.5%

First comments praise the election outcome as good news for Europe, bad news for the EU and its unelected commission.

UPDATE 23:45
FINAL RESULT OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1ST ROUND:
Hollande 28.6%, Sarkozy 27.2%, Le Pen 17.9%, Mélenchon 11.1%, Bayrou 9.1%; Greens 2.1%