President Emmanuel Macron triumphed over his far-right rival Marine Le Pen by a cushty margin in France’s election on Sunday, profitable a second time period and heading off what would have been a political earthquake.Even so, the far proper scored its highest ever rating in a presidential election. Here are some reactions:
PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON: “Many of our compatriots voted for me not out of support for my ideas but to block those of the extreme right. I want to thank them and I know that I have a duty towards them in the years to come.”
“We will have to be benevolent and respectful because our country is riddled with so many doubts, so many divisions.”
“No one will be left by the wayside. It will be up to us to work together to achieve this unity which will enable us to live happier lives in France. The years to come will certainly not be quiet, but they will be historic.”
MARINE LE PEN, DEFEATED FAR-RIGHT CHALLENGER:”Tonight’s result’s in itself a outstanding victory (for us).”
“Emmanuel Macron will do nothing to repair the fractures that divide our country and make our compatriots suffer.”
“I concern that the five-year time period that’s about to start is not going to break with the brutal strategies of the earlier one. In order to keep away from the monopolisation of energy by a number of, greater than ever I’ll pursue my dedication to France and the French folks with the vitality, perseverance and affection that you realize me for.
ERIC ZEMMOUR, HARD-RIGHT CANDIDATE DEFEATED IN ROUND 1: “We must forget our quarrels and unite our forces. It is possible, it is essential, it is our duty. The first coalition of the right and patriots, so that the elected representatives of the National Rally of France Upstanding and those of the (conservative) Republicans who do not want to rally behind Emmanuel Macron is a chance to do so.”
“It is the eighth time that the Le Pen name has been hit by defeat.”
JEAN-LUC MELENCHON, HARD-LEFT CANDIDATE DEFEATED IN ROUND 1: “The ballot boxes have decided. Mme Le Pen is defeated. France has clearly refused to entrust her with its future. Mr Macron survives in a sea of abstentions, blank and invalid ballots.”
FOREIGN MINISTER JEAN-YVES LE DRIAN: “The French did not want a France that turns in on itself.”
HEALTH MINISTER OLIVIER VERAN: “We is not going to spoil the victory …however the (far-right) has its greater rating ever. There will probably be continuity in authorities coverage as a result of the president has been re-elected. But we’ve additionally heard the French folks’s message. There will probably be a change of technique, the French folks will probably be consulted.
ADRIEN CALIGIURI, LE PEN SUPPORTER: “I’m shocked to see that a majority of French people want to reelect a president that looked down on them for 5 years – he said he wanted to ‘piss off’ the unvaccinated.”
“Our ideas are progressing. I never thought we would wage such a good campaign. We brought themes to center of the debate that hadn’t been defended by other candidates, like the cost of living.”
ALESSANDRO PALENI, MACRON SUPPORTER: “I am very relieved – it looked very close and populism was
at our door.”
“But it is not won – almost half the votes went to the extremes.”