French President Emmanuel Macron has reached out to Marine Le Pen’s distraught supporters after he was re-elected for a second five-year term on Sunday, a feat, analysts regard as ,' a record breaking' development
Macron, the 44-year-old centrist, won the epoch election with a 58.8 per cent share of the vote – beating the far-Right Ms Le Pen, 53, on 41.2 per cent, according to exit polls.
In an ambitious victory speech, Macron said: “From now on I am no longer the candidate for a party. I’m everyone’s President!”
He conceded that France was ‘full of anger and division’, but pledged: “Nobody will be left by the way side.
World leaders however rushed to congratulate the France's centrist President Macron on his re-election and defeat of far-right leader Le Pen in the Sunday elections.
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Here are some of the main reactions:
"I am delighted to be able to continue our excellent cooperation," tweeted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"We can count on France for five more years," European Council President Charles Michel wrote on Twitter.
"France is our oldest ally and a key partner in addressing global challenges," US President Joe Biden tweeted. "I look forward to our continued close cooperation -- including on supporting Ukraine, defending democracy, and countering climate change."
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also congratulated Macron.
"We look forward to continuing close cooperation with France on global challenges, underpinning our long and enduring Alliance and friendship," he wrote.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz said French voters "have sent a strong vote of confidence in Europe today. I am happy that we will continue our good cooperation".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called France "one of our closest and most important allies" and said he looked forward "to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world".
President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has spoken with Macron several times since Russia's invasion on February 24, called Macron a "true friend of Ukraine."
"I wish him further success for the sake of the (French) people. I appreciate his support and I am convinced that we are moving together towards new common victories," he wrote in both Ukrainian and French.
Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote in a telegram: "I sincerely wish you success in your state activities, as well as good health and well-being," according to a statement from the Kremlin.
China President Xi Jinping said he would "like to continue working with President Macron to maintain diplomatic relations based on independence, mutual understanding, foresight and mutual benefit," according to a readout from state broadcaster CCTV.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Macron's victory was a "great expression of liberal democracy in action in uncertain times".
"We wish you and France every success, in particular your leadership in Europe and as an important partner to Australia in the Indo-Pacific," he tweeted.
In November, Macron accused his Australian counterpart of lying over a multibillion-dollar submarine contract that Canberra scrapped without warning.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was "looking forward to continuing our work together on the issues that matter most to people in Canada and France -- from defending democracy, to fighting climate change, to creating good jobs and economic growth for the middle class".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated his "friend" on being re-elected and said "I look forward to continue working together to deepen the India-France Strategic Partnership."
Tweeting in French, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wrote: "We will strengthen our close cooperation with President Macron in various areas, such as the Indo-Pacific region and the Russian aggression against Ukraine."
Prime Minister Mario Draghi described Macron's victory as "great news for all of Europe".
"The citizens have chosen a France committed to a free, strong and fair EU. Democracy wins. Europe wins," tweeted socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. "Congratulations Emmanuel Macron."
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said French voters had made a "strong choice", opting for "certainty and Enlightenment values".
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi sent his "warm congratulations" and said his organisation would continue to count on Macron's support on the European and world stage "as humanitarian challenges and refugee crises become more serious and complex every day".
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he looked forward to "continuing the important partnership" with France "for a healthier, safer, fairer world".
Prime Minister Micheal Martin hailed Macron's "principled and dynamic leadership" as "important not only for France, but for Europe".
President Ignazio Cassis said he looked forward to "continuing our good collaboration," stressing the close ties between the two neighbouring countries
Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson sent her "warmest congratulations".
"Let's continue our close cooperation - bilaterally and for a competitive, green and resilient European Union," she tweeted.
African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat congratulated Macron over "his brilliant re-election", saying he hoped to continue building "mutually beneficial relations between Africa and France"
Macron arrived at a rally on the Champ de Mars, underneath the Eiffel Tower, an hour-and-a-half after the result was called.
To rapturous cheers and applause, he held hands with his wife, Brigitte Macron, as Beethoven’s Ode to Joy – the European Union anthem – blasted out of speakers.
Making his way up to stage with giant screen behind it, he said: ‘Thank you!
“Thank you, dear friends, fellow citizens, here tonight in Paris, and everywhere in France and our overseas territories and abroad, before anything else let me say thank you.
“After five years of difficult but happy transformation and exception challenged this date – 24 April 2024 – a majority amongst us chose me to pilot the Republic for the next five years.”
Wearing his trademark blue suit and tie, he continued: ‘Together we can make France more independent and Europe stronger. By freeing our creativity, we can make France a great, green nation.
‘I know a lot of people voted for me tonight, not because of my ideas, but to block the far-Right. I have been entrusted with their sense of duty for the next five years.’
He added, to boos, that he ‘thought of Ms Le Pen and her supporters,’ but added: ‘No booing I don’t want to hear that.
“Because from now on I am no longer the candidate for a party. I’m everyone’s President.”
“I understand the anger that prompted people to vote far-Right, that will be my responsibility.”
He said “Our own project is a humanist one, for the whole Republic.”
Conceding defeat, Le Pen told supporters at her campaign HQ in Paris: “We could have seen a great wind of freedom sweeping across this country, but the French people have said otherwise.
“When we see the results of tonight’s election, we can nevertheless say we have been victorious. Millions have voted for us, and I want to thank all of them.”
Saying her National Rally party would remain a counterbalance to Macron, Le Pen said: “Those who voted for me overwhelmingly in this second round – I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. We will continue to defend the citizens of France, now like never before.”
In response to the result, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, tweeted: “Dear @Emmanuel Macron, congratulations on your re-election as President of the Republic. I look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation. Together, we will move France and Europe forward.”
Boris Johnson said: “Congratulations to @Emmanuel Macron on your re-election as President of France. France is one of our closest and most important allies. I look forward to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world.”
Labour and opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer also offered his congratulations, adding on Twitter: “The relationship between our countries is based on respect and allyship, and we look forward to that continuing.”
The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, added: “My heartfelt congratulations to @Emmanuel Macron, who has just been re-elected President of France.
“I am pleased that we can continue our broad and good cooperation within the EU and NATO in the coming years. I look forward to further strengthening the excellent relationship.”
By 7 pm on Sunday, the turnout of those eligible to vote in the Macron-Le Pen second round was just 72 per cent – the lowest since 1969.
This was the year Charles de Gaulle resigned as head of state and only 69 per cent turned up to vote Georges Pompidou into power.
This year’s abstention figure was 2.6 per cent higher than in 2017 – when Macron first beat Le Pen to seal his first term.
Macron is a passionate supporter of the EU and now hopes to go on to become the de-facto leader of the bloc, following the retirement of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
