Macron promises unity after defeating Le Pen and winning French election
Emmanuel Macron becomes France's youngest ever president after defeating Marine Le Pen - a victory welcomed across Europe.
Monday 8 May 2017 09:53, UK
To the tune of the European anthem and with a decisive victory secured, France's President-elect Emmanuel Macron greeted thousands of supporters outside Paris's Louvre museum.
With a serious, almost sombre tone, reflecting a divided nation, he pledged to "guarantee unity", acknowledging he faces an "immense task" ahead.
The country's youngest ever president defeated the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, polling more than 66% of the vote compared to his rival's 34%.
Ms Le Pen swiftly conceded defeat once polls closed. Addressing supporters at a small venue on the eastern edge of Paris, she said she had called Mr Macron to congratulate him, adding, pointedly, that the French people had voted for "continuity".
Mr Macron's supporters, meanwhile, roared with delight at the news, jubilantly waving red, white and blue tricolour flags at a victory party outside the Louvre.
Addressing the crowd, Mr Macron said Europe and the world were "watching us" and "waiting for us to defend the spirit of the Enlightenment, threatened in so many places".
"France has won! Everyone said it was impossible. But they do not know France!" he said.
His victory speech at the Louvre followed an embarrassing series of errors as he addressed the nation on live television from his party's headquarters.
As the broadcasters cut to the live feed of his address it became clear he wasn't ready. An aide was still applying make-up to his face and he was then seen practising his speech on live television.
When he finally began his statement, he struck a serious tone but was looking at the wrong camera.
"I know the divisions in our nation, which have led some to vote for the extremes. I respect them," he said.
"I know the anger, the anxiety, the doubts that very many of you have also expressed. It's my responsibility to hear them.
"I will work to recreate the link between Europe and its peoples, between Europe and citizens."
Aside from the last-minute glitches, his triumph marks a stunning rise for the banker turned politician, who only set up his En Marche! (On The Move) party last year and has not previously been elected to public office.
The election has seen a remarkable shift in French politics, with the traditional centre-right and centre-left parties falling at the first round for the first time since the founding of the Fifth Republic by Charles de Gaulle in 1958.
The presidential contest usually attracts a high turnout, but projections say there will be a record number of blank and spoiled ballots reflecting the divisions this election has so clearly exposed.
The Interior Ministry earlier said 65.3% of voters had cast ballots by 5pm local time, a drop on the level seen at the same stage in 2012 and 2007.
A poll on Friday predicted a final turnout of 75%, down from over 80% in 2002, 2007 and 2012.
Mr Macron is unlikely to have much of a honeymoon period. Nearly 60% of those who planned to vote for him said they would do so to stop Ms Le Pen, rather than out of any enthusiasm for Mr Macron.
His victory has been welcomed in European capitals in the wake of Britain's vote for Brexit and the election of Donald Trump in America.
Mr Macron wants deeper EU integration, while Ms Le Pen's policies included France quitting the euro and cracking down on immigration.
But his decision to play the European anthem - Ode to Joy - is likely to be seen as controversial with commentators already suggesting it will do nothing to placate the significant number of eurosceptics in France.
As well as supporters of Ms Le Pen, the significant number of people who voted for far left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon in the first round, many of whom abstained this time, are deeply eurosceptic.
A Macron presidency could also strengthen the EU's hand in Brexit negotiations. Mr Macron, who stood on a pro-EU ticket, has in the past vowed to take UK jobs in research and banking to France.
Prime Minister Theresa May was quick to congratulate Mr Macron.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "France is one of our closest allies and we look forward to working with the new President on a wide range of shared priorities."
Number 10 later confirmed Mrs May had already spoken to President-elect Macron and that they had discussed Brexit.
Mr Trump congratulated the new French President on Twitter, writing: "Congratulations to Emmanuel Macron on his big win today as the next President of France. I look very much forward to working with him."