Official results from France's presidential election show Socialist candidate Francois Hollande and incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy advancing to a second round of voting.

Partial results from Sunday's poll give Hollande 28.4 percent of the vote, with Sarkozy receiving 25.5 percent.

In a surprising finish, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen was in a strong third place, receiving between 18 and 20 percent of the vote.

The figures, released by the Interior Ministry, are based on a count of 33 percent of the ballots cast.

President Sarkozy, in office since 2007, has faced criticism for tough austerity measures aimed at reducing France's deficit.

Mr. Hollande has said if elected he would place a 75-percent tax on income above $1.3 million.

The two will face each other in a head-to-head runoff May 6.