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Hollande Elected French President

06 May 2012 23:28 (UTC +04:00)

With almost 90 percent of ballots counted, the gap between the two candidates grew wider. Sarkozy got 48.5 percent of the vote, while Hollande was supported by 51.5 percent.

â€œOn behalf of the government I congratulate the new president of the republic and wish him successful service to the benefit of France,â€ Gueant said.

Sarkozy, the incumbent French president, has already admitted his rivalâ€™s victory in the runoff presidential vote on Sunday.

â€œHollande was elected President of France, weâ€™ve got to respect this choice,â€ Sarkozy said at a meeting with his supporters in Paris.

The official vote count is still ongoing, with the final results to be announced early Monday, but preliminary results, exit polls and various French media give Hollande between 50.8 and 52 percent, with about 48 to 49 percent for his opponent.

The turnout was 81.25 percent