AMN
France centrist leader Emmanuel Macron has vowed to unite a divided and fractured society after winning a decisive victory over the far-right Front National candidate Marine Le Pen in the country’s presidential polls.
His victory was hailed by his supporters as holding back a tide of populism after the Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s victory in the US election.
Addressing thousands of supporters in the grand courtyard of the Louvre, the vast Paris palace-turned-museum, Macron said he would defend France and Europe. He said Europe and the world are “watching us” and “waiting for us to defend the spirit of the Enlightenment, threatened in so many places”.
He promised to unite a divided and fractured France, saying: “I will do everything to make sure you never have reason again to vote for extremes.”
Speaking of his meteoric rise and victory that was not forecast even a year ago, he said: “Everyone said it was impossible. But they didn’t know France!”
Thirty-nine-year old former investment banker, who has never held elected office, becomes the youngest President and occupant of the Élysée Palace. Mr Macron will also becomes the first President from outside the two traditional main parties since the modern republic’s foundation in 1958.
At a victory party outside the Louvre Museum in Paris yesterday, Mr Macron said the country has sent an incredible message to itself, to Europe and the world. He said he would “guarantee the unity of the nation and defend and protect Europe.
Marine Le Pen, his far-right opponent in the Presidential runoff, quickly called Macron to concede her defeat after voters rejected her “French-first” nationalism by a large margin.
The French Interior Ministry said with 93 per cent of the votes counted, Mr Macron had about 19.3 million votes, while Ms Le Pen secured about 10.4 million.
Unknown three years ago, Macron is now poised to become one of Europe’s most powerful leaders. He brings a hugely ambitious agenda of political and economic reform for France and the European Union.
Congratulatory messages poured in from abroad. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman said it was a “victory for a strong and united Europe”, while EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said French voters had chosen a “European future.”
US Preident Donald Trump in a tweet terming the victory as “big win” said he looked forward to working with the French leader.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has congratulated Emmanuel Macron on winning the Presidential poll.
British Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to President-elect Macron to warmly congratulate him. She also discussed Brexit with him, the Downing Street office said.