“Strong commitment to Europe”: Reactions to the French election

Shortly after the election, there were already numerous reactions and congratulations to the new old French President Emmanuel Macron. His challenger, the French left-wing populist Jean-Luc Mélenchon, has described the electoral defeat of the right-wing populist Marine Le Pen as “good news for the unity of our country”. At the same time, he reiterated that “Macron is the worst-scoring president of the fifth republic.” Mélenchon came third in the first round with 22 percent and now hopes to become prime minister.

The right-wing nationalist Marine Le Pen, who was defeated in the French presidential election, still considers her result a success. “The result itself represents a glorious victory,” said Le Pen in Paris. According to the broadcasters France 2 and TF1, Macron received around 58 to 58.2 percent of the votes, Le Pen 41.8 to 42 percent.

“We are more determined than ever to defend the French,” said Le Pen. “This result is a testament to the great mistrust of the French people towards them,” she said, referring to the leaders of France and the European Union. Her party will form an opposition to further defend the French against immigration, insecurity and raising the retirement age. “I will continue my commitment to France and the French with the energy, tenacity and affection that you know from me,” said Le Pen.

Relief in Germany – only the AfD congratulates Le Pen

German politicians reacted with great relief to the re-election of French President Emmanuel Macron. Chancellor Olaf Scholz recognized the re-election of French President Emmanuel Macron as a commitment to Europe. “Félicitations, congratulations, dear President @EmmanuelMacron,” congratulated the SPD politician on Twitter. “Your voters have also sent a strong commitment to Europe today. I am pleased that we are continuing our good cooperation!”

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Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) called Macron’s victory over right-wing populist Marine Le Pen in the runoff election “good news for Europe and for the continuation of Franco-German friendship”. The SPD party executive said that France had made a choice “for Europe and for cohesion”.

“This election was a choice of direction. It was about fundamental questions of values,” wrote Federal Minister of Finance and FDP leader Christian Lindner on Twitter. With Macron’s victory, “the united Europe is the biggest winner of this election”.

Green leader Omid Nouripour also saw “good news” for Europe and the Franco-German partnership. CDU leader Friedrich Merz also immediately congratulated Macron. Europe also “won today,” he wrote on Twitter. “Now a new attempt for Franco-German cooperation is possible and necessary!”

The AfD, on the other hand, congratulated the defeated Le Pen. Party leader Tino Chrupalla said after the publication of the projection: “I congratulate our partner Marine Le Pen on her strong result.” Macron only “gained a fictitious victory”. Hungary’s Prime Minister “Victor Orban and Marine Le Pen meet with enormous approval in their countries”. “Together we will change the continent of Europe,” he added. Three days before the election, Chrupalla called on the French to vote for Marine Le Pen.

Relief in the EU

EU Council President Charles Michel commented on Macron’s victory on Twitter: “In these turbulent times we need a strong Europe and a France fully committed to a more sovereign and strategic European Union.” The EU can now count on France for five more years.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also congratulated Macron on Twitter. Von der Leyen stressed that she was looking forward to continuing the “excellent cooperation” with Macron. “Together we will move France and Europe forward,” she stressed.

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Alluding to the Ukraine war, the President of the European Parliament, Metsola, emphasized that cooperation with France was important “in order to meet the challenges of an increasingly insecure and unsettling world”. France holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council this six-month period.

Surprising sounds from Great Britain

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi spoke of “wonderful news for all of Europe” on Sunday evening. Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also sees Emmanuel Macron’s election victory over Marine Le Pen as a sign of the fight against extremism. The French did not just choose a strong country in a strong Europe on Sunday, the Belgian wrote on Twitter. France also relied on democratic values ​​and the values ​​of the Enlightenment.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also congratulated Macron and surprisingly described France as the “closest and most important ally”. The conservative government in London usually takes a much more critical stance towards Paris. An age-old rivalry smolders between the two countries, as well as a long-standing dispute over fishing licenses and how to tackle illegal migration across the English Channel. From the British perspective, Macron was also seen as a hardliner in the Brexit negotiations, who wanted to make the British exit as uncomfortable as possible.