French President Emmanuel Macron has been re-elected for a second term and delivered a triumphant speech yesterday on the Champ de Mars, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
Having gained an absolute majority of votes (58.5%), Macron will remain the owner of the Elysee Palace for another 5 years. In his speech, he acknowledged, however, that many voted for him only to prevent the far right from gaining power:
“Finally, I think of those who voted for Ms. Le Pen. I know they are upset tonight. No, don’t boo anyone! From the very beginning I asked you not to boo anyone. Because from now on I am no longer a candidate one of the camps, I am the president of each and every one.”
The head of the “National Association” Marine Le Pen admitted defeat, but did not congratulate the opponent. She called her result “a resounding victory”: in the second round she was supported by more than 41% of voters – 7% more than in 2017.
“More than 43% of the vote (preliminary result, ed. note) is a resounding victory in itself. Tonight we begin the great battle for the legislature. I will lead it with Jordan Bordella and with everyone who was brave enough to resist Emmanuel Macron in the second round, with everyone who has our country in their hearts.”
Parliamentary elections will be held in the country in June. Some French journalists call them “the third round of presidential elections.” It will be difficult for the parties of both candidates to get a majority in the National Assembly – especially given the growing political apathy of the French: the turnout in the presidential elections has become a record low over the past 20 years. Almost a third of the voters did not come to the polling stations.
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