French voters elected 39 year old former investment banker Emmanuel Macron as the youngest ever President of France.
The centrist candidate defeated the far-right challenger Ms. Marine La Pen. Mr. Macron of the “En Marche” garnered 66 percent of the votes, while La Pen got 34 per cent.
This victory for Mr. Macron seems to be a big relief for European Union. Ms. La Pen had spoken about a ‘Frexit’ like ‘Brexit’ had she won the Presidential polls.
Mr. Macron’s electoral victory comes at a time when France is reeling under terrorism and a sluggish economy. The new President has made it clear that it will be a ‘France First’ policy that his administration will pursue.
During his campaign Mr. Macron had assured the French voters that he knew the divisions that had set in the French society after a series of terrorist attacks. He has vowed to end the chasm and has promised to link ‘Europe with its citizens’.