World leaders have rushed to congratulate French President Emmanuel Macron on his election victory over his far-right rival, with many in Europe describing the outcome as a win for the European Union (EU).
European Council President Charles Michel, as well as the prime ministers of Belgium and Luxembourg, were among the first to congratulate Macron, followed by almost all of the bloc’s 27 leaders, after his win over Marine Le Pen by a comfortable margin.
“Bravo Emmanuel,” wrote Michel on Twitter.
“In this turbulent period, we need a solid Europe and a France totally committed to a more sovereign and more strategic European Union.”
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Macron’s re-election was “wonderful news for all of Europe, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said voters “have sent a strong vote of confidence in Europe today”.
The leaders of Sweden, Romania, Lithuania, Finland, the Netherlands and Greece, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, all reacted within half an hour of the result with their congratulations.
