The preliminary results of Frances first round of presidential elections are in, and independent candidate Emmanuel Macron and far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen appear set to face each other in the runoff on May 7.

Early projections on Sunday predicted Macron would win with 23.7 percent of the vote and Le Pen would take home 21.7 percent. Far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mlenchon and conservative Republican party leader Francois Fillon were narrowly edged out of the final round. Those numbers were early estimates released after polls closed at 8 p.m. local time. Final results are expected later this evening.

The French have expressed their desire for change. Were clearly turning a page in French political history, Macron said of the early results in a statement to Agence France-Presse.

Le Pen also reacted triumphantly to the result.

The great debate will finally take place. The French must seize this historic opportunity, she tweeted.