French Presidential runoff will be stark pro or anti EU choice

Right-wing politician Marine Le Pen claimed victory alongside centrist Emmanuel Macron for the French presidential runoff, with the future of the European Union at stake.

Centrist Emmanuel Macron placed first and far-right leader Marine Le Pen placed second in initial exit polls in the first round of France's presidential election, advancing them to a head-to-head showdown in the runoff on May 7.

Macron, who was economy minister until August, has never held elected office and has struggled to create as energetic or committed a base as Le Pen's, even as he has led in many opinion polls.

Macron says he would have the EU do more to help weaker EU countries.

Le Pen would pull France from the EU.