Macron President: France Facing ’Immense Task’ To Rebuild European Unity
Local Editor
Emmanuel Macron was elected France's youngest head of state since
Napoleon after beating his far-Right rival Marine Le Pen in an emphatic
result that will have far-reaching consequences for Brexit and Europe.
Projections gave 39-year-old Macron almost two thirds of the vote, showing a clear path to the Élysée Palace for the pro-EU centrist who was a political unknown until three years ago and has never held elected office.
Addressing the nation, a sober Macron immediately reached across the divide to Le Pen voters, saying he heard the "anger, anxiety and doubts" that many had expressed.
But he did not shy away from his internationalist, pro-EU agenda, saying: "I will defend Europe; it is our civilization which is at stake...I will work to rebuild ties between Europe and its citizens."
Later Macron took the stage to the strains of Beethoven's Ode to Joy, the European Union anthem, in the courtyard of the Louvre museum.
He said France was facing an "immense task" to rebuild European unity, fix the economy and ensure security against extremist threats. "Europe and the world are waiting for us to defend the spirit of Enlightenment, threatened in so many places," he told the crowd, as his wife Brigitte and their extended family joined him.
Relatively, British Prime Minister Theresa May discussed Brexit with Macron in a phone call late at night, Downing Street said. May "reiterated that the UK wants a strong partnership".
"France is one of our closest allies and we look forward to working with the new president on a wide range of shared priorities," the statement said.
Meanwhile, President Macron is expected to drive a hard bargain over Brexit, striking a strident note during his campaign by warning that negotiations would be "no walk in the park" and that Britain would be left in "servitude" as a result of leaving the EU.
However, the result was welcomed by some senior Conservatives who argued Macron would bring much-needed stability to Europe ahead of the Brexit negotiations.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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