Emmanuel Macron Becomes President of France for a Second Time

With the announcement of the results of the French presidential election, Emmanuel Macron’s victory over Marine Le Pen has been confirmed. Macron won the election with 58.5 percent of votes against Le Pen’s 41.5 percent.

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, said in his victory speech at the Eiffel Tower that he knows many voters voted for him not because of his programs and ideas, but to prevent the victory of the far-right. He emphasized that he considers himself committed and obligated to stand against this group.

Macron added that the anger of those who voted for Marine Le Pen should also be taken into account. The French President stressed that an appropriate response should be shown to those who boycotted this election.

Based on the latest figures, voter turnout in this election was approximately 72 percent, which is two percent lower than the rate from five years ago.

Emmanuel Macron clarified that the next five years will not be a continuation of his previous presidential term and that things must change in the country.

Le Pen Accepts Defeat

Marine Le Pen, in her speech after the results were announced, accepted her defeat but spoke of a “historic result” of this election to her supporters that could mark an excellent beginning.

Referring to the parliamentary elections to be held in June, Le Pen said that from tonight the great battle for this competition begins. She added that the doors of her party are open to all opponents of Macron. Le Pen stressed that she will pursue her commitment to France and the French with the energy, perseverance, and devotion that everyone knows from her.

“A Sea of Invalid Votes”

Macron’s other rivals called his victory extremely fragile. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the far-left candidate who came in third place in the first round of the presidential election, called the election result the worst result in the French Republic and described Macron’s victory as based on “a sea of abstentions, blank votes, and invalid votes.”

Éric Zemmour, candidate of the far-right nationalists, also emphasized that French nationalists should unite. According to him, the political conditions before the parliamentary elections demonstrate the necessity of working together.

The Green Party candidate, however, thanked all those who “created a barrier against the far-right.” Yannick Jadot wrote on Twitter: “The worst possible option was prevented, but the country is divided again as before.”

Following Jacques Chirac’s re-election in 2002, this is only the second time that a president in France has been elected for a second term. The result of the French presidential election will have a significant impact on Europe’s future.

Source: DW