President Emmanuel Macron has won five more years as French President after securing a convincing victory over rival Marine Le Pen, who nevertheless got the far right’s highest share of the vote yet.
He also becomes the first French President to be re-elected in 20 years. Mr. Macron won by 58.55% to 41.45%, a greater margin than expected.
The Centrist Leader told jubilant supporters at the foot of the Eiffel Tower that now that the election is over he would be a “president for all”.
Despite her loss, Ms Le Pen said her vote share still marked a victory.
The ideas her National Rally represented, she told her supporters, has reached new heights. But far-right rival Eric Zemmour is of the view that she has failed just like her father who preceded her.
Mr. Zemmour declared “It’s the eighth time the Le Pen name has been hit by defeat.” Mr Macron’s victory has been welcomed by relieved European leaders, who feared a victory for a far-right candidate could cause a series of anti-EU policies.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had called on French voters to back Mr Macron, has congratulated his “true friend”, saying he looks forward to a strong and united Europe.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also welcomed Mr. Macron’s victory.
