Independent candidate Emmanuel Macron, 39, is clearly the winner of the second round of Presidential elections in France. According to latest results Macron wins by margin of 65.1% to 34.9% for right-wing Marine LePen.
- Voter turnout set to be lowest since 1969
- Abstention at 25%
- 12% of voters cast an invalid/white vote
“A new chapter in our long history begins tonight. I want it to be one of hope and renewed confidence,” Macron told news agencies.
In his first official statement that was broadcast live, Macron said he is aware of ‘anger, anxiety and doubts’ in France.
He said he “understands the division of the nation that drove many voters to the extremes. It’s my responsibility to understand them and to protect the most fragile… and fight against inequalities,” said Macron.
Macron said he will defend Europe. “It’s our civilization that is at stake.”
Emmanuel Macron is the youngest president in France and will also become the first president from outside the two traditional main parties since the modern republic’s foundation in 1958.
The youngest President of France is to face a new challenge on June 18: the parliamentary elections.
Marcon’s political group En Marche has no seats in parliament at all.
Legislative elections follow on quickly from the presidential poll – on 11 and 18 June.
En Marche will contest the elections as a party but Mr Macron may find himself needing to pull together a coalition to govern effectively.
Although his presidential candidacy had support from other political parties, much of it stemmed from the need to defeat Ms Le Pen.
He will need to win over the abstainers and those who are skeptical about his political vision. Left-wing voters in particular felt disenfranchised by the choice of the final two candidates.
Berlin, Brussels and Washington were the first to congratulate the President-elect.
Congratulations to Emmanuel Macron on his big win today as the next President of France. I look very much forward to working with him!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2017
Congratulations @EmmanuelMacron. Congratulations to French people for choosing Liberty, Equality and Fraternity over tyranny of fake news.
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) May 7, 2017
Félicitations @EmmanuelMacron! Heureux que les Français aient choisi un avenir européen. Ensemble pour une #Europe plus forte et plus juste pic.twitter.com/GWlxKYs4hL
— Jean-Claude Juncker (@JunckerEU) May 7, 2017
I cannot say what European President Jean-Claude Juncker tweeted because the EU President has abolished English as lingua franca due to Brexit.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said Macron’s win is a relief for France and Europe: “I’m certain we’ll work closely to change Europe’s course, re-inspire its people so that we never experience again the nightmare of far-right.”
Η νίκη του @EmmanuelMacron είναι μια ανάσα για την Γαλλία και ολόκληρη την Ευρώπη. Είμαι βέβαιος ότι θα εργαστούμε μαζί στενά 1/2
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) May 7, 2017
προκειμένου να αλλάξει πορεία η Ευρώπη, να εμπνεύσει ξανά τους λαούς της, να μη ξαναζήσουμε ποτέ τον εφιάλτη της ακροδεξιάς. 2/2
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) May 7, 2017
…and the Russians!
Shortly on #frenchelection2017 pic.twitter.com/CQUPlcByvG
— Russian Market (@russian_market) May 7, 2017
Markets reacted immediately: within 30 minutes after the unofficial results, the Euro went up 1.10 towards the US Dollar.
(thelocal.fr, bbc, and others)
