In run-off,uphill task for Sarkozy

The strong showing by the left and anger on the political extremes seemed to reflect a desire for change in France after 17 years of centrist,conservative presidents. And it could continue an anti-incumbency trend that began with the economic crisis in Western Europe,where center-right governments dominate from Britain to Spain to Germany.

It may also represent the first stirrings of a challenge to the German-dominated narrative of the euro crisis,which holds that public debt and runaway spending are the main culprits and that austerity must precede growth. Over the weekend,the Dutch government was left tottering after failing to gain a majority in support of austerity measures,and demonstrators in the Czech Republic turned out in the greatest numbers since 1989 to protest a tax increase and budget cuts.

The French vote is a reaction against austerity,and austerity is you, Hollandes campaign manager,Pierre Moscovici,said to the leader of Sarkozys party,Jean-François Copé.

Hollande finished with 28.5 percent of ballots cast and Sarkozy with 27.1 percent,according to figures released by the Interior Ministry after the last polls closed. They were followed by Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Front with 18.2 percent,Jean-Luc Mélenchon of the Left Front party with 11.1 percent,the centrist François Bayrou with 9.1 percent and five other candidates with minimal support.

While Sarkozys total was only a percentage point or two short of Hollandes,the view of most experts has been that unless Sarkozy took the first round,he would have a hard time winning the runoff.

The strong showing by Le Pen gave some heart Sunday night to Sarkozys supporters,since the two share similar themes about immigration,radical Islam,and law and order. But a number of Le Pen voters have said they will abstain or vote against Sarkozy in the second round.