President Macron’s re-election win: ‘Now we have so much to do’

Emmanuel Macron (La République En Marche) thanked supporters - and paid reference to those who did not vote for him - in a speech in Paris after being reelected president today.

He received just over 58% of votes, according to early counts, which are considered reliable.

Read more: French election live first results: Macron 58.8%, Le Pen 41.2%

He beat far-right hopeful Marine Le Pen (Rassemblement National), who got some 41% of the vote. She was competing in her third presidential election and was hoping to become the country’s first female president.

“After five years of transformation, of happy and difficult times, on this day of April 24, a majority of us have chosen to trust me to preside over our Republic for the next five years,” he said.

He was speaking following his victory to a large gathering of party members, journalists and supporters at the Champ de Mars in Paris’ seventh arrondissement, next to the Eiffel Tower.

Mr Macron arrived at the Champ de Mars surrounded by children with Beethoven’s Ode to Joy playing loudly. The song is the anthem of the European Union.

He repeatedly thanked his supporters in his speech and reiterated his gratitude to them for choosing him.

He also acknowledged that not everyone who voted for him did so because they supported his project, but in order to stop Ms Le Pen coming to power.

A poll by Ipsos-Sopra Steria shows that 58% of Emmanuel Macron's voters voted for him "above all because he would make a good president of the Republic" and 42% "above all to stop Marine Le Pen".

“I know that many of our compatriots have voted for me today, not to support the ideas I put forward, but to block those of the extreme right. I want to thank them and tell them that I am aware that their vote is an obligation for me for the years to come,” Mr Macron said.

“I am also thinking of all our compatriots who abstained. Their silence signified a refusal to choose to which we must respond.

“I am also thinking of our compatriots who voted for Ms Le Pen.

“I am no longer the candidate of one camp, but the president of all. I know that for many of our compatriots who chose the extreme right, the anger and disagreements that led them to vote for this project must also be answered.

“This will be my responsibility and that of those around me.

“Today, you have chosen a humanist and ambitious project, for the independence of our country, for Europe, ambitious in its values, social and ecological, a project based on work and creation.

“I want to carry this project forward with strength for the years to come, taking into account the oppositions that have been expressed and respecting the differences.

“We have so much to do. The war in Ukraine is a reminder that these are tragic times when France must show the clarity of its voice, and build its strength in all areas, and we will.

“No one will be left behind.”

Marine Le Pen’s reaction

Ms Le Pen earlier in the evening phoned Mr Macron to acknowledge his victory. She also stated her commitment to remaining in politics.

“This result demonstrates the great defiance of the French people.

“I do not feel any resentment or rancour.

“To avoid this monopolisation of power by a few, more than ever I will continue my commitment to France and the French.”

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