French President Macron to face off against conservative Marine Le Pen again

French President Emmanuel Macron will face off against hard-right leader Marine Le Pen later this month in a runoff election. 

With 97% of the votes in, the incumbent Macron won 27.35% of the vote while Le Pen came in second at 23.97%, according to the French Interior Ministry.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, the Socialist candidate, received less than 2% of the vote.

Macron, of The Republic On the Move Party, has served as president since 2017.

"Make no mistake, nothing is decided," he told supporters on Sunday evening, according to the BBC.

Le Pen celebrated Sunday's results on Twitter.

"I call on all French people, of all sensitivities, to join this great national and popular gathering that I am carrying!" she wrote.

Le Pen has surged in popularity following Russia's invasion of Ukraine as the cost of living increased, the Financial Times reported.

She has been accused of being far-right for her anti-Islam views. Le Pen has said that she would limit immigration and forbid the Muslim veil in public.

"That's not us," Macron said. "Make no mistake. This contest is not finished, and the debate we'll have in the next two weeks will be decisive for our country and for Europe ... I want a France rooted in a strong Europe."

Le Pen has also been skeptical of the European Union and NATO. If she wins, the founder of the National Rally Party promised to restore France's "prosperity and grandeur."

Left-wing Jean-Luc Melenchon, who came in third at less than 22%, urged his followers Sunday evening, "You must not give a single vote to Marine Le Pen," according to the BBC. He did not, however, endorse the current president. 

Macron beat Le Pen by about 2 to 1 when they first faced off in 2017.