Macron wins France’s presidential elections

Leader of the En Marche! movement Emmanuel Macron won the second tour of presidential elections in France with 66.06% of the vote, France interior ministry said on Monday after 100% of ballots were counted.

Macron’s rival, National Front leader Marine Le Pen received 33.94% of votes, with over 10.6 mln of votes cast in her favor, the ministry added.

Election turnout amounted to 74.62%. 6.33% of voters (3 mln) put empty ballots into ballot boxes. 2.24% ballots more (1.06 mln) were recognized invalid.

The European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, tweeted his congratulations, saying: “Happy that the French have chosen a European future. Together for a stronger and fairer Europe.”

Juncker also sent a letter to Macron only 15 minutes after the exit poll result was published, in which he told the new French president that he welcomed “the ideas that you have advocated, a strong Europe, and progressive, that protects all its citizens”.

Le Pen said she has called Emmanuel Macron to congratulate him on his victory and says the vote confirms her National Front party and its allies as the leader of France's opposition.

"The French have chosen a new president of the republic and voted to continuity. I congratulate him on his election because I have the best interests of the country at heart, I wish him success," she said.

US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also congratulated Macron.

The second tour of presidential elections was held in France on Sunday. Transfer of presidential powers in France is expected to take place next week.