François Hollande, the outgoing president, with Emmanuel Macron in 2014 | Patrick Kovarik/AFP via Getty Images François Hollande: I will vote for Emmanuel Macron Outgoing president says Marine Le Pen would divide France.

François Hollande, France's outgoing president, on Monday said he will vote for Emmanuel Macron in the presidential runoff on May 7.

Hollande said Macron's rival for the presidency, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, posed a risk to France.

"The extreme right would divide France, stigmatize part of our citizens because of their origin or their religion. The far right is a risk for our country. Faced with such a risk, it is not possible to be silent," Hollande said.

He said Macron would defend the values that unite France, rather than divide the nation.

"Pour ma part, je voterai pour @EmmanuelMacron. Il est celui qui défend les valeurs qui permettent le rassemblement des Français" @fhollande — Élysée (@Elysee) April 24, 2017

Macron came first in the first round of the presidential race on Sunday with 24.01 percent of the vote, closely followed by Le Pen (21.30 percent). Macron has already been backed by the defeated mainstream parties.

Macron is the favorite to win the runoff. An opinion poll on Sunday night predicted he would win by 62 to 38 percent.