A Downing Street spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister warmly congratulates President-elect Macron. We look forward to working with the new president on shared priorities.’
Theresa May has warmly congratulated Emmanuel Macron as she aims to establish good relations with the French President-elect ahead of Brexit negotiations.
A Downing Street spokesman said: ‘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.’
As the leader of one of Europe’s major powers, Mr Macron will be a key player in the diplomatic wrangling over Brexit in the coming months and Number 10 will be keen to establish a good relationship with the new president.
An official preliminary result released at 8pm French time showed 65.5 per cent of votes were for Mr Macron, meaning a clear victory over Le Pen, on 34.5 per cent.
Donald Trump was among those to congratulate Macron with an unusually straight tweet reading: ‘Congratulations to Emmanuel Macron on his big win today as the next President of France. I look very much forward to working with him!’
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff Peter Altmaier congratulated Mr Macron with a tweet saying: ‘Long live France, long live Europe!, ‘ while her chief spokesman Steffen Seibert said it is a victory ‘for a strong and united Europe’.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said in a message to Mr Macron that it makes him ‘happy that the ideas that you defended of a strong and progressive Europe that protects all its citizens will be those that France will cherish under your presidency’.
And Donald Tusk, the former Polish prime minister who chairs summits of European leaders, tweeted: ‘Congratulations to French people for choosing Liberty, Equality and Fraternity over tyranny of fake news’ – an apparent reference to misleading stories about Macron that were spread on social media in the run-up to the vote.
Britain’s other political leaders were quick to celebrate Marine Le Pen’s loss.
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said victory for Emmanuel Macron in the French presidential race has kept the far-right ‘wolves from our door’.
Mr Farron said: ‘I would like to congratulate Emmanuel Macron on his election as France’s new president. This is not just a victory for France but a victory for Britain and the liberal values we hold dear.
‘A National Front win would have posed a grave threat to our national interest.
‘Emmanuel Macron has kept the wolves from our door, but we must never be complacent in the fight against racism, fascism and the far-right.’
With an eye on the June 8 General Election, he added: ‘The liberal values of tolerance, openness and free trade that triumphed in France today can triumph in Britain too.
‘Together we can change Britain’s future, stand up to Theresa May’s hard Brexit agenda and keep our country open, tolerant and united.’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who travelled to Paris for talks with Mr Macron in March, said: ‘The French people have chosen hope over fear and unity over division.’
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage, who backed Ms Le Pen’s bid for the Elysee Palace, said: ‘Macron offers five more years of failure, more power to the EU and a continuation of open borders. If Marine sticks in there, she can win in 2022.’
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: ‘I am delighted that the French people have decisively rejected Le Pen’s politics of hate.’
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon added: ‘Vive La France. Congratulations to new President, Emmanuel Macron on his decisive victory over the hard right.’
Francois Hollande congratulated Mr Macron and said his victory shows the overwhelming majority of voters rallied behind the European Union and openness to the world.
