Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India has congratulated the French President on his victory. Projections showed Macron had secured 57-58% of the votes. Reports say Le Pen conceded defeat. Macron would be the 1st French President in 20 years to win a 2nd term, since Jacques Chirac in 2002.
French President Emmanuel Macron defeated his far-right rival Marine Le Pen on Sunday by a comfortable margin for a second term, heading off what would have been a political earthquake, a report in The Tribune, Chandigarh says.
French President Macron has defeated Marine Le Pen as per projections.
Cheers of joy erupted as the results appeared on a giant screen at the Champ de Mars Park at the foot of the Eiffel tower, where Macron supporters waved French and EU flags. People hugged each other and chanted “Macron”.
Projections showed Macron had secured 57-58% of the votes. Reports say Le Pen conceded defeat. Macron would be 1st French President in 20 years to win a 2nd term, since Jacques Chirac in 2002.
A first major challenge will be the parliamentary elections in June
Macron may face protests if he passes pension reform
In contrast, a gathering of dejected Le Pen supporters erupted in boos and whistles at a sprawling reception hall on the outskirts of Paris.
Le Pen admitted defeat, but vowed to keep up the fight, with the June parliamentary elections in mind.
“I will never abandon the French,” she said to supporters chanting “Marine! Marine!”
But Macron can expect little to no grace period after many, especially on the left only voted for him reluctantly to block the far-right from winning. Protests that marred part of his first mandate could erupt again quite quickly, as he tries to press on with pro-business reforms.
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