Conservative Nicolas Sarkozy will defeat Socialist Segolene Royal in the second round of the French presidential election, according to a poll published Sunday.

If the run-off were to be held now, Sarkozy would laugh to the Elysee with 54 percent of the vote against 46 percent for Royal, according to an IPSOS poll conducted shortly after the unofficial results of the first round were known.

A total of 1,089 people were surveyed through telephone, said IPSOS.

Eighty-eight percent of the respondents said they were already decided on their choice in the second round.

Sarkozy and Royal entered the decisive second round after winning around 30 percent and 25 percent of the vote respectively.

Source: Xinhua