Macron: ‘I will fight the divisions that undermine France’

Emmanuel Macron was elected French president on Sunday in a resounding victory over far-right rival Marine Le Pen after a deeply divisive campaign, initial estimates showed.

Macron, running as a centrist, won between 65.5 and 66.1 percent of the vote ahead of Le Pen on between 33.9 percent and 34.5 percent.

Macron said Sunday he would “fight the divisions” in the country after a campaign that laid bare the “anger, anxiety and doubts” of many voters.

“I will fight with all my strength against the divisions that are undermining us,” he said in a solemn address at his campaign headquarters.

Euro rallies after Macron wins French presidency

The euro rallied to $1.1010 from $1.0998 in early forex trading in Asia on Monday after pro-European centrist Emmanuel Macron won the French presidency, scoring a resounding victory over far-right rival Marine Le Pen.

The 39-year-old’s victory effectively eliminates any risk of France leaving the single currency bloc, although markets had largely priced in Le Pen’s defeat after polls consistently showed Macron well in front.

Hollande ‘warmly congratulates’ Macron on French win: office

Outgoing French President Francois Hollande “warmly congratulated” his successor Emmanuel Macron on his victory in Sunday’s election, the president’s office said.

“I called Emmanuel Macron this evening to warmly congratulate him on his election to the presidency,” Hollande was quoted as saying in a statement.

What world leaders say about Macron’s victory

Pro-EU centrist Emmanuel Macron stormed to victory in the French presidential election  on Sunday, roundly defeating his far-right rival Marine Le Pen in a run-off vote, according to estimates.

Here is a selection of early comments from world leaders and other political heavyweights on Macron’s election victory.

– United States –

“Congratulations to Emmanuel Macron on his big win today as the next President of France. I look very much forward to working with him!” President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter.

– Germany –

“Congratulations, @EmmanuelMacron. Your victory is a victory for a strong and united Europe and for French-German friendship,” said Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman.

– Britain –

“The Prime Minister warmly congratulates President-elect Macron on his election success. France is one of our closest allies and we look forward to working with the new President on a wide range of shared priorities,” said a Downing Street spokesman.

– European Union –

“Happy that the French chose a European future,” European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wrote on Twitter.

EU Council President Donald Tusk also offered his congratulations, saying the French had chosen “liberty, equality and fraternity” and “said no to the tyranny of fake news”.

– Spain –

“Congratulations to @EmmanuelMacron, new president of #France. Let us work in France and Spain for a stable, prosperous and more integrated Europe,” Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said in a tweet.

– Denmark –

“Congratulations @Emmanuel Macron! We can achieve more together than on our own. Looking forward to our cooperation,” Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen tweeted.

– Sweden –

“This is a victory for the French people and for European cooperation. New opportunities will now open up for the proactive agenda needed to strengthen the EU, including more jobs and fair working conditions, a stronger climate policy and a functioning asylum system in which everyone takes responsibility,” said Prime Minister Stefan Lofven.

– Brazil –

“I congratulate @EmmanuelMacron on his victory in the French presidential election. Brazil and France will continue to work together for democracy, human rights, development, integration and peace,” tweeted President Michel Temer.

– Others –

“Congratulations to President-elect @EmmanuelMacron and the French people,” former US president Bill Clinton wrote on Twitter.

“The French people refused the politics of hate and voted to uphold our shared values of liberte, egalite, and fraternite,” New York City mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted.