French election results - live: Macron win sparks protests, Le Pen ‘won’t give up’

Some sense of perspective is needed when peering across the channel, Sean O’Grady writes.

Yes, France is saved, and Europe with it, thanks to the older generation of voters who turned out for Emmanuel Macron.

Macron will take his modest vote as a mandate to strengthen his political leadership of the European Union post-Merkel: “More Europe”, as he calls it. It’s not necessarily cheering news for the UK, by the way, to see the EU enjoying a sense of direction.

Read the full Voices piece below:

An investigation has been launched against “persons in charge of public authority” at the time when two people were fatally shot and killed in Pont Neuf, Paris.

They would be investigated for “attempted voluntary manslaughter”, according to AFP.

The shots on the people in the speeding car are believed to have been fired by a police-issue Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle.

A large police presence was seen in the heart of the capital after the incident as dead bodies covered in white sheets were taken out of a Volkswagen sedan.

General Inspectorate of the National Police, the French police oversight body, is also expected to be deployed as per protocol following the officer’s use of a firearm.

The two people were shot dead and a third person, a woman, was severely wounded after a car came speeding towards them on the oldest bridge in the French capital, an investigating source told AP.

The incident took place shortly after midnight, hours after French president Emmanuel Macron won a second term and protests broke out in the capital.

French opposition leader Marine Le Pen appeared to look unfazed despite her third failed bid for the presidency and said she will “continue the fight for France and the French people”.

Amassing more than 12 million votes – a historic high for her anti-immigration party – is “a shining victory”, she said in her speech.

“In this defeat, I can’t help but feel a form of hope”, the 53-year-old told supporters who were chanting “Marine! Marine!”

“I fear the next five years will not break with the contempt and the brutal policies of the last five years and Emmanuel Macron will do nothing to repair the divisions in our country,” she added.

Emmanuel Macron won with a comfortable margin of 58.6 per cent of votes, according to interior ministry figures.

Ms Le Pen, the candidate of the far-right National Rally party (Rassemblement National or RN), received 41.4 per cent of the votes.

Emmanuel Macron’s victory was hailed globally as an example of “liberal democracy in action”, as a reprieve for mainstream politics rocked in recent years by Britain’s exit from the European Union, the 2016 election of Donald Trump and the rise of a new generation of nationalist leaders.

Britain

The UK prime minister wrote on Twitter: “Congratulations to Emmanuel Macron on your re-election as president of France.”

“France is one of our closest and most important allies. I look forward to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world.”

US

US president Joe Biden said: “France is our oldest ally and a key partner in addressing global challenges.” “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 Mr Macron and said: “We look forward to continuing close cooperation with France on global challenges, underpinning our long and enduring Alliance and friendship.”

Australia

Australian prime minister Scott Morrison said the victory of Mr Macron 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.”

Canada

Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada congratulated Mr Macron, writing on Twitter: “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.”

European Union

“We can count on France for five more years,” Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said on Twitter.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said: “I am delighted to be able to continue our excellent cooperation.”

Ukraine

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he congratulated his French counterpart by phone. On Twitter, he described Mr Macron as a “true friend of Ukraine” as the two have spoken numerous times since Russia’s invasion.

“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.

India

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi also tweeted a congratulatory message. He said: “Congratulations to my friend Emmanuel Macron on being re-elected as the President of France! I look forward to continue working together to deepen the India-France Strategic Partnership.”

Emmanuel Macron defeated his far-right rival Marine Le Pen in the second round of France’s presidential election after winning 58.55 per cent of the votes against 41.45 per cent of Ms Le Pen, the official vote count by interior ministry showed on Monday.

It was a decline in Mr Macron’s vote share in comparison to his victory in 2017, when he won 66 per cent of the votes.

However, it was a boost for Ms Le Pen from five years ago when she got 33.9 per cent of votes.

The abstention rate was 28.1 per cent against 25.4 per cent in 2017, marking the lowest turnout ever recorded in a French presidential election final since 1969.

During his political career of five years, Emmanuel Macron has gone from being a newbie in politics to a key world player and weighty decision-maker in the European Union. He is now deeply involved in efforts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine to end the war.

The outspoken 44-year-old centrist became the first French president to win a second term.

Mr Macron is often perceived as arrogant and out of touch with ordinary people by his critics. He has been notably dubbed “president of the rich”, especially during the “yellow vest” protests in the country against social injustice. He is also critically known for a perceived authoritarian attitude, believed to be responsible for violent incidents involving police during street protests.

Mr Macron rose to power after studying at France’s elite school Ecole Nationale d’Administration, and later went on to become a senior civil servant, then a banker at Rothschild for a few years, then economic adviser to Socialist president Francois Hollande. He emerged from that backstage role onto the political scene when he served as economy minister in Hollande’s government from 2014 to 2016.

Describing himself as “a president who believes in Europe”, he argues that the EU is the way for France to be stronger in a global world.

A strong advocate of entrepreneurial spirit, he has eased rules to hire and fire workers and made it harder to get unemployment benefits. Critics accuse him of destroying worker protections.

With inputs from AP

The Scottish First Minister congratulated Emmanual Macron on his re-election Sunday.

Nicola Sturgeon said she was “delighted” to continue to work with Mr Macron on issues relating to climate change.

She said: “I am delighted that the Scottish and French governments continue to work in close partnership on the issues shared by our two countries, such as climate change, biodiversity, culture and our common European values.”

A video shows French police charging at protesters following the re-election of President Emmanual Macron.

Police in riot gear can be seen running towards a crowd of protesters on Place de la République in footage shared by French Journalist Remy Buisine.

He said: “Incidents in République with several police charges towards the demonstrators. The tension is growing.”

Demonstrations broke out last night after Macron beat far-right leader Marine Le Pen in a runoff vote.

Police also used teargas on the protestors and an investigation has been launched against “persons in charge of public authority” for attempted voluntary manslaughter after two people were fatally shot by police in Pont Neuf, Paris.

The Irish Premier has congratulated President Emmanual Macron on winning his secong five-year term.

He called Macron’s leadership “strong, decisive and principled”.

He said Ireland and France are united on issues such as climate change and the “European project.”

“France and Ireland are good friends and partners, France is our nearest neighbour in the EU,” the Taoiseach said.

“We are like-minded on many issues, including our ambition on climate action and our commitment to an EU that works well and that delivers for its citizens.

“Most importantly, France and Ireland are strongly committed to the success of the European project which remains the bedrock of prosperity and wellbeing on our continent.

“With crisis on our borders, it is has never been more vital that we remain a beacon of democracy and of hope in our neighbourhood and to the world.”

Additional reporting by PA

President Macron’s victory against far right candidte Le Pen has sparked protests across France.