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World leaders welcome Macron’s French election win

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French President and La Republique en Marche (LREM) party candidate for re-election Emmanuel Macron (centre) gives a thumbs up as he greets supporters after his victory in France's presidential election, at the Champ de Mars in Paris, on April 24, 2022. Photo: Ludovic MARIN | AFP

PARIS, France:  French President Emmanuel Macron was Monday to launch efforts to unite a deeply divided nation after winning re-election in a battle against rival Marine Le Pen that saw the far right come its closest yet to taking power.

Centrist Macron won around 58.54 percent of the vote in the second-round run-off compared with 41.46 for Le Pen, according to final results from the interior ministry.

Macron is the first French president in two decades to win a second term and his victory prompted a sigh of relief throughout Europe that the far right had again been thwarted from taking power in the key EU state.

But his latest victory over his far-right rival was narrower than their last face-off in 2017, when he won over 66 percent of the vote, and Le Pen’s result was the best ever for the far right.

The president also begins planning for his new five-year term with a daunting in-tray ranging from preparing for parliamentary elections as soon as June to implementing explosive pension reform plans and dealing with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The historic gains for the far right dampened the French leader’s celebrations on Sunday night. Addressing supporters in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, he vowed to heal rifts in a deeply divided country.

Positive reactions

World leaders rushed to congratulate France’s centrist President Emmanuel Macron on his re-election and defeat of far-right leader Marine Le Pen in elections Sunday.

Here are some of the main reactions:

European Union

“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.

United States

“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.

Germany

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”.

Britain

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”.

Ukraine

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. 

Russia

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

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. 

Australia

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.

Canada

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”.

India

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”.

Japan

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.” 

Italy

Prime Minister Mario Draghi described Macron’s victory as “great news for all of Europe”.

Spain

“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.”

Belgium

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said French voters had made a “strong choice”, opting for “certainty and Enlightenment values”.

UN bodies

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”.

Ireland

Prime Minister Micheal Martin hailed Macron’s “principled and dynamic leadership” as “important not only for France, but for Europe”.

Switzerland

President Ignazio Cassis said he looked forward to “continuing our good collaboration,” stressing the close ties between the two neighbouring countries.

Sweden

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

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”. – AFP

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