Macron re-elected French president, promises ‘no one will be left behind’

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife celebrate the results in Paris on the evening of April 24, local time – Photo: REUTERS

At dawn on April 25, Vietnam time, a poll published on French television channels showed that Macron won about 58% of the vote in the second round of the presidential election on April 24. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen received about 42% of the vote. The result is not too surprising given that Mr. Macron has led in the pre-election polls.

Meanwhile, the French Interior Ministry announced the results of 45% of the votes, showing that Mr. Macron was leading with 51.57% of the vote, while the leader of the far-right party won 48.43% of the vote. household.

The president of France’s Constitutional Council is expected to announce the official results on April 27.

Immediately after the results were announced, President Macron gave a speech at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in Paris to supporters. He pledged to change and assuage the anger of those who voted for the far right.

Mr. Macron became the first French president to win a second term since Jacques Chirac in 2002.

“It is necessary to find an answer to the anger and disagreement that has led many people to vote for the far right. That will be my responsibility and that of those around me,” Macron was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

President Macron stressed he was not a candidate of any faction but “President of all”, insisting that no one would be left behind during his next five-year term.

The leader of France’s far-right party, Le Pen, also conceded defeat. However, she called it a “brilliant victory” and vowed to continue the “political battle against” Macron in the June 2022 parliamentary elections.

The French election results also made Europe breathe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, and many European leaders congratulated French President Emmanuel Macron on his re-election.

“I look forward to our continuing extensive and constructive cooperation within the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and further strengthening the cooperation between the two countries. member countries of the union,” von der Leyen wrote on Twitter.

“In these tumultuous times, we need a solid Europe and a France fully committed to a more strategic and sovereign European Union,” Michel said.

The leaders of Britain, Italy, Germany and Belgium also congratulated Mr. Macron. The Elysée Palace said Mr Macron had had his first phone call since learning the preliminary results with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, expressing “France-Germany friendship”.