France kicks out the old guard as Europhile newcomer Macron narrowly wins first vote to take on Le Pen - the far-Right's Madame Frexit - for the presidency

France's far right candidate Marine Le Pen (left) and centrist independent Emmanuel Macron (right) have made it into the second round of France's presidential elections. According to France's Interior Ministry, 46 million people voted in the first stage of the elections which knocked the traditional Right and Left parties out of the running for the first time in 60 years. With 97 per cent of the vote counted, Macron is leading with 23.9 per cent, followed by Le Pen on 21.4 per cent. Conservative candidate Francois Fillon has 19.9 per cent while far-left Jean-Luc Melenchon on 19.6 per cent. The result will have major implications for Britain and its departure from the EU. Miss Le Pen wants to completely renegotiate France's relationship with Brussels while Mr Macron wants closer links. Le Pen told her supporters, who were seen waving flags saying 'Marine Presidente' inscribed on them (inset left), said: 'It is time to liberate the French people from the arrogant [political] elite.' Macron has praised his supporters (inset right) for a campaign that 'changed the course of our country.'