Macron has becomes the first French President in the 20 years to be elected for a second term with 58.6% votes in his favour
The President of France – Emmanuel Macron won a second term in office on Sunday, i.e., April 24, 2022, defeating his far-right rival of National Rally – Marine Le Pen in a runoff election.
While Macron received 58.6% of the votes, Le Pen received 41.4% of the votes. Macron becomes the first French President in the 20 years to be elected for a second term.
In his victory speech, Macron acknowledged that many people voted for him just to keep Le Pen out and promised to address the sense of many French that their living standards are slipping.
Speaking on the occasion, Macron said, “Many in this country voted for me not because they support my ideas but to keep out those of the far-right. I want to thank them and know I owe them a debt in the years to come.”
Thanking the people of France, Macron tweeted (translated in English), “To those who voted for me, not to support my ideas but to block those of the extreme right, your vote obliges me. This evening, I am no longer the candidate of one camp, but the President of all.” Original tweet in French:
À celles et ceux qui ont voté pour moi, non pour soutenir mes idées mais pour faire barrage à celles de l’extrême droite, votre vote m’oblige. Ce soir, je ne suis plus le candidat d’un camp, mais le Président de toutes et tous.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 24, 2022
Marine Le Pen took over the party founded by her father Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2011 in a bid to make it electable. She won more than 13 million votes on promises of making tax cuts to tackle the high cost of living, a ban on wearing the Muslim headscarf in public and a referendum on immigration controls.
Breaking through the threshold of 40% of the votes is unprecedented for the French far right. Le Pen was beaten 66% to 34% by Macron in 2017 and her father Jean Marie Le Pen, who founded her party, got less than 20% against Jacques Chirac in 2002.
He further tweeted (Original tweet in French), “Each of us matters more than ourselves. This is what makes the French people this singular force that I love so deeply, so intensely, and that I am so proud to serve again.” Original tweet in French:
Chacun d'entre nous compte plus que lui-même. C’est ce qui fait du peuple français cette force singulière que j'aime si profondément, si intensément, et que je suis si fier de servir à nouveau. pic.twitter.com/02EtTJVdis
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 24, 2022
More than 1 in 3 voters did not vote for either candidate. Turnout was just under 72%, the lowest in a Presidential run-off since 1969, and more than 3 million people casted spoilt or blank votes.
Much of France was on holiday on the day of the vote, but the low turnout also reflected the apathy of voters who complained neither candidate represented them. Voters who said they were casting blank ballots said they wanted to punish the sitting president. Anti-Macron demonstrators rallied in a number of cities, including Paris, Rennes, Toulouse and Nantes, refusing to accept the result.
France is a member of North Atlantic Treaty organisation (NATO), European Union (E.U.) and G7. It has a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and is a nuclear power. Yet despite its deep embedment in these pillars of the Western order, France also historically favours an autonomous foreign policy, meaning it can act as a broker between the U.S.-led Western order and nations like Iran, China and Russia. Le Pen’s previous ties to Russia, critical view of NATO and hostile view of the E.U. could have impacted French ties with the world.
The E.U., United Kingdom (U.K.) and the United States (U.S.) also took to twitter to congratulate Macron on his second term.
The Prime Minister of U.K. – Boris Johnson tweeted,
Congratulations to @EmmanuelMacron on your re-election as President of France. France is one of our closest and most important allies. I look forward to continuing to work together on the issues which matter most to our two countries and to the world.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 24, 2022
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The President of European Council – Ursula von der Leyen tweeted (translated in English), “Dear @EmmanuelMacron, congratulations on your re-election as President of the Republic. I look forward to continuing our excellent cooperation. Together, we will move France and Europe forward.” Original tweet in French:
Cher @EmmanuelMacron, toutes mes félicitations pour votre réélection à la présidence de la République.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 24, 2022
Je me réjouis de pouvoir continuer notre excellente coopération.
Ensemble, nous ferons avancer la France et l’Europe.
The President of the U.S. – Joe Biden tweeted,
Congratulations to @EmmanuelMacron on his re-election. France is our oldest ally and a key partner in addressing global challenges. I look forward to our continued close cooperation — including on supporting Ukraine, defending democracy, and countering climate change.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 24, 2022
