French President Emmanuel Macron will remain in office for another five yearsafter winning the second round of elections in his country this Sunday.
According to the first polls with 58.2% of the votes for him Macron again beat far-right candidate Marine Le Penwho received 41.8% of the vote, a total that represents the strongest support he has received in his political history.
For his part, Macron is the first president in 20 years to have re-elected.
After announcing Macron’s victory, Le Pen admitted defeat, although he assured that the results showed a “wind of change” for France and Europe, EFE reported.
The first participation figures in the second round were around 63% of the censusthat’s almost two points down from the first round a fortnight ago and the lowest since 1969.
Although Macron entered the second round with a stable lead in opinion polls, analysts warned his victory should not be taken for granted.
However, his position improved in the final days of the campaign, especially after last Wednesday’s primary debate.
The second round was a repeat of the 2017 clash between Le Pen and Macron, when the centrist won 66% of the vote.
In the first round two weeks ago, Macron won 27.6% of the ballots, his opponent 23.4%, prompting predictions of a close final.
Five years ago, when he became the youngest French leader since Napoleon with the new group En Marche! (Go!) Macron pledged to withdraw from the political spectrum, strengthen ties with Europe and implement important social and economic reforms.
Dissatisfaction with the political elites that ruled the European country for years prompted voters to opt for the young ex-banker, who ran in his first election.
When he defeated Le Pen, also in the second round, his only experience in government was as economic adviser and economy minister to former Socialist President François Hollande.
Nevertheless, The President saw his popularity waning latelymainly because of his position in the face of the “yellow vest” protests, as well as his policies and some measures to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Some sectors criticized him for considering him the “president of the rich” and for having no contact with the most disadvantaged sectors of French society.
Macron’s new reign begins on May 13.
The President has promised full employment within five years, a $16 billion a year tax cut for households and businesses, which he plans to fund by gradually raising the retirement age from 62 to 65.
Regarding defense, he stated that he would increase military spending in view of greater independence from France, especially in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In the field of energy he proposes the construction of six nuclear reactors, while in the field of education he wants universities to be more independent.
Le Pen addressed her supporters with an optimistic speech and expected a “big election campaign” in Juneon the occasion of the parliamentary elections.
The far right has established itself as the representative of the ‘forgotten’ France and offered words of special thanks to voters in the provinces and overseas that appear to have won them the vote in this second round.
“I will never let the French down,” proclaimed the chair, who sees “hope” in some results she hoped to draw the attention of French and European leaders.
He has vowed to be a “strong counterforce” against Macron, the “real opposition” in a scenario marked by the loss of support from traditional parties. In this way, hopes there will be “a big change” soon.