French President Nicolas Sarkozy conceded defeat to Socialist Francois Hollande in Sunday's presidential election run-off within half an hour of the last polling stations closing.
"I have just spoken to him on the telephone to wish him good luck," Mr Sarkozy said, as polling institutes projected Mr Hollande would win the election with between 51.8 to 52% of the vote, based on initial counts of ballots cast.
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